I was born and raised in Massachusetts. If you have never ventured to the Northeast corridor of the United States, I would recommend it, especially in the fall. I completed my undergraduate degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology at Ithaca College in Ithaca NY. I completed my graduate degree in Speech-Language Pathology at New York University in New York, New York. I knew I chose the right career path from my first semester of my undergraduate program. Having a role in helping people recover their ability to communication is an incredible experience. We often take our ability to communicate for granted. It is not until we are faced with trouble communicating that we realize how much of our live is compromised when others cannot hear us, cannot understand us, or ignore us.

 

My first job was in Laconia, NH. I was a general speech-language pathologist for 15 years. Working in a wide variety of areas of the profession helped direct me towards narrowing my focus to voice and laryngeal airway. In 2002, I began my position at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Voice and Swallow Clinic, a world renowned voice clinic. I worked with a dynamic team of speech-language pathologists, clinicians and researchers, and otolaryngologists for nearly 10 years. My clinical experience in Madison propelled me to an exciting place in my career gaining extensive experience in voice and laryngeal airway disorders, presenting nationally on various voice and laryngeal airway topics, and making lifelong professional and personal connections. In 2011, I moved with my family to Surrey, BC. I, again, found myself grateful to continue working in the area of voice and laryngeal airway. I have met so many incredible people along the way and continue to find great satisfaction in helping people communicate and recover voice.

 

 

Volunteering

I feel very fortunate that I have been able to give back to my profession and community in various volunteer roles over the years. Here in Canada, I have been a board member of Parkinson Society British Columbia (PSBC) since 2012. PSBC continues to be a strong advocate for the Parkinson's community. I am both proud and humbled to be involved in helping to support, maintain, and improve the quality of life of people with Parkinson's, their families, and caregivers. I am also very proud to be a volunteer for Speech and Hearing BC, formerly BC Association of Speech-Language Pathologists. I began my volunteering on the conference committee, moved to Advocacy and Public Education director, Vice President, President (2017-2019), and now past-president. I look forward to my ongoing involvement with Speech and Hearing BC in the coming years.

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Awards

October 2021 Speech and Hearing BC Award in Recognition of Service

May 2018 – Parkinson Society BC Above and Beyond Volunteer Recognition Award

August 2011 – University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics 2011 Community Service Award for work with the Wisconsin Chapter of the American Parkinson Disease Association

ASHA Ace Awards for Continuing Education – 2004, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2018

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Professional Associations

Speech and Hearing BC

Speech-Language Audiology Canada (SAC)

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)

Pan American Vocology Association (PAVA)

Parkinson Society British Columbia

College of Speech and Hearing Health Professionals