About the Event:
WSLHA presents the third of three forums being provided in 2023 as part of the association’s efforts in determining how to best support Washington state SLPs. This two-hour forum addresses concerns of the clinicians raised through WSLHA’s 2022 survey of non-school-based SLPs. Reimbursement issues were paramount regarding private and government funding that negatively impacts our field. Strategies related to reimbursement and productivity issues will be shared. There will be a question-and-answer portion so that the SLP community can identify how to move forward in addressing these types of ongoing issues.
Presenter: Melissa Johnson, JD; Melissa Murphy, MA, CCC-SLP; Laurel White, Ed.D., CCC-SLP; Kendra Holloway, MS, CCC-SLP
Learning Objectives:
Participants will be able to locate and describe proposed legislation pertinent to practice and practice issues to advocate for positive legislative outcomes.
Participants will be able to list and describe protections and support available for practitioners and consumers through the WA State Office of the Insurance Commissioner regarding insurance company coverage and reimbursement.
Participants will be able to define the roles of the WA state StAMP and STAR representatives and discuss current information on state and national policy topics impacting our profession.
About the Presenters:
Melissa Johnson, JD: Melissa is a lobbyist who focuses on health care, education, human services, and business issues for Washington state. For over 25 years, Melissa has advocated on behalf of her clients to the Washington State Legislature and the State Executive Branch. Prior to joining Bogard & Johnson, where she is a current partner, Melissa was staff with the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) and the Washington State House of Representatives. She also practiced law in the Seattle area. Melissa graduated with distinction from the University of Washington with a BA in Political Science. She received her law degree from American University’s Washington College of Law in Washington, DC.
Disclosures: Financial: WSLHA Lobbyist. Non-Financial: None to report.
Melissa Murphy, MA, CCC-SLP: Melissa got her Master’s Degree in speech and hearing sciences from Washington State University. She is the owner of Columbia Valley Swallowing Diagnostics, a mobile FEES company, and works with Providence St. Mary Hospital and Columbia County Health Systems as a contracted provider. Melissa is an ASHA StAMP representative.
Disclosures: Financial: Owner of Columbia Valley Swallowing Diagnostics, a mobile FEES company, and receiving an hourly/contract rate from Providence St. Mary Hospital and Columbia County Health Systems. Non-Financial: ASHA StAMP representative, member of Dysphagia Research Society, National Foundation of Swallowing Disorders (NFOSD) member, and ASHA’s Special Interest Group 13.
Laurel White, Ed.D, CCC-SLP: Laurel’s interest in Careers in Technical Education STEM programs inspired the dissertation Pursuit of STEM Enrollment in High School and Higher Education for Latino and Caucasian Students with Disabilities. Laurel holds a master’s degree in the STEM field of Speech and Hearing Sciences from Washington State University, a postgraduate diploma in TESOL from Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand, and administration credentials from Central Washington University. Laurel received a doctorate in educational leadership in 2017 from Seattle University. She served as a cleft palate team member in Vietnam with Global Relief and Children’s Services. Laurel is an ASHA STAR representative, and WSHLA’s Educational Representative.
Disclosures: Financial: Employee of the Moses Lake School District. Non-Financial: ASHA STAR representative, WSLHA Educational Representative.
Kendra Holloway, MS, CCC-SLP: Kendra works as the Owner and Executive Director of Columbia Pediatric Therapy in Vancouver, WA, a multi-disciplinary private practice. Her current interests include fostering leadership and clinical skills growth in her staff and advocating for patients in the community. Prior experience includes direct therapy work in: early intervention programs, a specialty autism school, and elementary school. Specialty therapy service provision has included: oromyofunctional therapy, complex autism interventions, and AAC. Kendra believes that we all have the capacity to learn and grow every day.; she loves helping facilitate growth.
Disclosures: Financial: Owner and ED for Columbia Pediatric Therapy. Non-Financial: None to report.
Intermediate Level – 0.2 ASHA CEUs
ASHA CE Provider approval and use of the Brand Block does not imply endorsement of course content, specific products or clinical procedures.
OSPI Clock Hours – 2 hours
0WSLHA charges a processing fee of $5.00 for ASHA CEUs ($7.00 non-members) and $5.00 for clock hours payable prior to the workshop.
Credits must be purchased prior to the program. Any requests for credits after the date of each workshop will be denied.
