WSLHA PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE – JANUARY 2020:

/

WSLHA Members,

I want to begin by thanking you for your WSLHA membership! It is an honor for me to serve in the role as your President for the start of this new decade. I am looking forward to listening, learning, and leading with you.

I am also excited to announce that WSLHA filled all 2020 Board positions with passionate and enthusiastic members who are ready to pursue the interests of our members. For several years, past Board members have had to make challenging decisions in order to keep WSLHA viable, and as a result, WSLHA continues to survive. As membership acquisition and retention proved to be a challenge to sustain and revitalize, our Membership Committee shared new ideas to strengthen our membership for this new year which we will pursue. In addition, access to information had been a recurring need from previous surveys, and we will continue to try to meet this need by the following:

  • President’s Corner for quarterly updates

  • ASHA-WSLHA Liaison (SEAL, StAMP, STAR) summaries of pertinent information three times a calendar year

  • Current list of leadership, committee, and task force members

  • Total number of current WSLHA Members

  • Board Meeting Minutes

Please consider sharing your voice, time, and energy to assist your fellow Washington speech-language and hearing colleagues. If there is an increase in WSLHA membership and leadership, we will reap more benefits such as a future convention (i.e. we need a convention committee, a significant increase in WSLHA membership, financial vitality, and at least a year for planning, wide range of potential speakers). I am looking forward to this year and further growth and evolution of WSLHA!

Please peruse the following to share with and recruit WSLHA members: About WSLHA:

  • Our mission: “…to act as the primary resource and advocate for its members and those they serve through legislation, continuing education, collaboration, professional endeavors and publications.”

  • Current Liaisons, Committees, and Task Forces: ASHA State Advocates for Reimbursement (STAR),

  • ASHA State Education Advocacy Leaders (SEAL), Bylaws/Standards/Ethics, Clinical Practice,

  • Communications, Continuing Education, Investigate Future Convention Feasibility, Membership,

  • Nominations, SLP/ABA, Therapist Pay Equity

  • Established 1/1/1960. WSLHA turned 60 years old this year!

About Me:

  • WSLHA member since 1993

  • WSLHA Chair of Clinical Practice Committee 2009-2017

  • WSLHA Clinical SLP Board Member 2017-2019

  • Practicing SLP in pediatrics since January 1999, currently employed by UW Medicine Valley

  • Medical Center outpatient pediatric clinic (birth to 19 years of age), and part-time pediatric private practice

  • Enjoy hiking, backpacking, mountain climbing and gardening

About You/Members:

  • Access to online resources

  • Network with WA state colleagues with WSLHA member directory

  • Acquire reduced registration fees for ASHA CEUs

  • Apply for scholarships, honors, and awards

  • Participate in leadership opportunities

  • Present your information/work/research

  • Connect to lobbyist, Melissa Johnson in Olympia, advising and networking with your legislators

  • Share your voice at the local state level

  • Collaborate in committees and task forces

2020 Priority Goals:

  • Increase membership for improved member benefits (e.g. future WSLHA convention, more speakers, etc.)

  • Improve access to information

Please Contact Us For:

  • Leadership, teaming, and networking opportunities with your WA state colleagues

  • Making WSLHA YOUR WSLHA

Nichie Lessard, MS, CCC-SLP/L Licensed Speech-Language Pathologist

WSLHA 2020 President