Author: Carrie Wyatt

Hungry and want to support a good cause? The WSU Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s (WSUSSLHA) annual fundraiser can satisfy both cravings.

Learn more about the fundraiser on the WSUSSLHA Instagram.

Corri Newman, first year SLP student in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD), was recently awarded the Kansas Speech-Hearing Association’s (KSHA) Dixie Heinrich Servant Leadership Award.

Susie Ternes, KSHA’s executive director, surprised Newman before a class to present her certificate and award check. CSD faculty, staff and students joined in the celebration of a well-deserved recognition. In October, Newman was also selected as one of the winners of KSHA’s Margaret Byrne Sarricks Scholarship.

“I’m overwhelmed with gratitude to be selected for such a prestigious award,” Newman said. “I’m proud to be part of the CSD program and appreciate our wonderful staff.”

Melissa Vagts, associate clinical professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD), was an invited presenter on the “Making Sense of Myo: Using Orofacial Myology To Support Differential Diagnosis” episode of the SLP Learning Series podcast on SpeechTherapyPD.com.

The episode explored how knowledge of orofacial myology allows speech pathologists to effectively use differential diagnosis to determine the best plan of care for patients. Melissa explained when a myofunctional approach would not be appropriate and the qualifications a patient needs to effectively participate in a myofunctional program. She also shared ways knowledge of typical oromyofunction can allow speech pathologists to modify treatment approaches and include myofunctional concepts to support speech and swallowing skills.

Vagts has worked in outpatient clinical settings, public schools and university clinics. She currently teaches and supervises speech-language pathology graduate students. She developed the Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders (OMD) graduate course and co-developed a Pediatric Feeding Group to provide students with applied learning opportunities.

Corri Newman, MA-CSD (SLP) student in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, was selected as second place winner for the Kansas Speech-Hearing Association’s Margaret Byrne Sarricks Scholarship. Her award-winning virtual poster presentation was entitled, “Supported Conversation Training Outcomes for Future Healthcare Professionals: A Pilot Study.”

Her pilot study, completed with faculty mentor, Dr. Erin O’Bryan, is in preparation for a larger study they will be conducting at the Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center. This affiliation is part of a collaboration between the VA and the College of Health Professions.

This pilot study examined learning outcomes from six students to measure effects of a self-paced online learning module about effective communication with patients with communication disorders. The results will be used for a larger comprehensive study investigating whether future healthcare professionals can improve skills for communication with aphasic patients.

Interested in a career while supporting individuals with communication disorders? Join faculty from the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) from 4 to 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 6 for a virtual open house on the audiology and speech-language pathology graduate programs.

For more information on the graduate programs, and to view virtual clinic tours, visit the links below or email csd@wichita.edu.

• Master of Arts Speech-Language Pathology program page
• Doctor of Audiology program page

The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) congratulates Dr. Trisha Self, associate professor; Terese Conrad, clinical professor; Dr. Cynthia Richburg, professor; Dr. Karissa Marble-Flint, associate professor; and emerita faculty Dr. Kathy Strattman and Dr. Barbara Hodson, on their recent authorship of three chapters in the second edition of “The Communication Disorders Casebook” by Dr. Shelly Chabon, Dr. Ellen Cohn and Dr. Dorian Lee-Wilkerson.

Dr. Self and Conrad wrote a chapter in the infant/toddler cases section. Their chapter highlights how to develop a communication assessment and treatment plan for a toddler with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. Dr. McCormick Richburg cowrote a chapter in the hearing section of the book. Her case highlighted the move from identification to implantation for a child with progressive sensorineural hearing loss caused by a Connexin 26 mutation. Dr. Marble-Flint along with Dr. Strattman and Dr. Hodson wrote a chapter regarding literacy/phonology. Their case was about twins who had highly unintelligible speech and are working on enhancing phonological and literacy skills.

The casebook helps students and practitioners have a comprehensive resource showcasing the steps of evaluation, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of individuals with speech, language, swallowing and hearing challenges and their families.

Abigail Moss, speech-language pathology graduate student in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD), was recently selected for participation in a national Minority Student Leadership Program.

The program’s focus is to recruit and retain racial/ethnic minorities that have been historically under-represented in the professions of audiology and speech-language pathology. It is part of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), which is the national professional, scientific and credentialing association for audiologists, speech-language pathologists and students within those disciplines.

Abigail is one of 40 students chosen from approximately 200 nationwide applicants. The participants will engage in leadership-focused educational activities at the 2023 ASHA Convention, which will take place November 13–18 in Boston, Massachusetts. The program helps students build and enhance their leadership skills and allows them to network with leaders in the professions of audiology, speech-language pathology, and speech, language and hearing sciences.

The National Student Speech Language Hearing Association chapter at Wichita State University has been awarded Gold Chapter Honors for attaining a distinguished level of achievement in the areas of member recruitment and engagement, community outreach, and service, legislative advocacy, and fundraising during the 2022-23 academic year.

Graduate students in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) speech-language pathology (SLP) program will host their fourth annual Aphasia Awareness Night from 3-5 p.m., Tuesday, July 19 at the Eugene M. Hughes Metropolitan Complex (5015 E. 29th St. North).

The event is geared toward health professions students, but anyone (especially within psychology, counseling and social work) is welcome to attend.

Come learn about working with patients who have aphasia. The event will feature a question and answer session with clients who have acquired aphasia and their caregivers. They will offer insight on the most beneficial techniques and support when working with various healthcare providers. The goal of the event is to foster a multidisciplinary approach to benefit these patients.

All attendants should enter through Entrance N located on the south side of the building (look for the awning). All attendants will then move through various stations throughout the event.

For more information, contact ashley.purdum@wichita.edu.

Please join the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) for hors d’oeuvres, presentations and speakers to celebrate in celebration of Dr. Julie Scherz and her amazing achievements at Wichita State from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Friday, April 8 at the Eugene M. Hughes Metropolitan Complex (Zoom option also available).

During the event, administrators, students, colleagues and Zoom participants will share stories of her time at WSU.

Scherz, a Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Certification and American Speech-Language-Hearing Association fellow, earned all three of her academic degrees from WSU (Bachelor of Arts in education, 1969; Master of Arts, 1971; Doctor of Philosophy, 1989). She served nine years on the faculty at Indiana University-Purdue University in Fort Wayne, Indianapolis, and 22 years at Wichita State. She retired from her professional career in 2020, serving the last five years as Chair of CSD.

Visit event link to RSVP by April 1. Please include total number of attendees on the registration form, so we have an accurate count for catering purposes. For more information (or if you encounter online form issues), contact csd@wichita.edu.