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 In the Spotlight - Miami UniversityDepartment of Speech Pathology and Audiology Oxford, Ohio Program Philosophy Mission Statement The Miami University Speech and Hearing Program is committed to helping students develop superior clinical skills through an integration of academic information with clinical experience. These skills will serve the speech, language and hearing needs of the individuals in our community to enhance the quality and effectiveness of communication. Shared Commitments To prepare high quality professionals who will be employed in both the public and private sectors emphasizing transdisciplinary experiences with teachers, psychologists, nurses, physicians, social workers, and other specialists in the health care area. To provide high quality speech, language and hearing clinical services to individuals at Miami University and its surrounding communities. To disseminate information concerning speech, language, and hearing behaviors through research and collaborative scholarly activities. Short Description of Program and Unique Aspects of Training Program Undergraduate Program Description The program in Speech Pathology and Audiology offered at Miami University qualifies students to work as a speech-language pathologist and/or and audiologist in a variety of work settings. One of the main strengths of the program is the broad curriculum which spans topics from anatomy, acoustics, physiology and clinical problems in Speech Pathology and Audiology. Clinical and medical expertise of professors provides current and potential intervention and assessment approaches in speech and hearing. Students in the program often take these classes together and get to know one another very well. The comprehensive clinical service program in speech, language and Audiology clients within the university and the southwest Ohio community provides excellent experience in direct patient contact. Graduate Program Description The graduate program in Speech Pathology and Audiology provides academic study in speech-language pathology leading to a M.S. or M.A. degree. Students enroll in core curriculum for Speech Pathology during the first year and also participate extensively in the Miami University Speech and Hearing Clinic. Through this experience, students learn to apply scientific and medical concepts to clinical problems. In the second year with guidance from the faculty, each student continues courses, clinic and plans a study focus in an area of interest. This forms the basis of the master's thesis or project. Graduates from our program are employed in clinical, teaching or research careers in universities, public schools, private practice, rehabilitation centers or state/federal government agencies. The program at Miami University is accredited by the Council of Academic Accreditation, an agency of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. A unique aspect of the training program is a strong focus on clinical externs. All students complete at least three extern assignments designed to meet the special interests or clinical focus that the student has chosen. Faculty, Current Research Chair Kathleen Hutchinson, CCC-A, Professor (Ph.D., Pennsylvania State University, 1986) Audiologist who is investigating sensory deprivation among deaf children, the effects of exercise, fitness and muscle strength on hearing ability, and audiologic management of geriatric and preschool populations. Susan Baker, CCC-SLP, Assistant Professor (Ph.D., University of Florida, 2003. Speech-Language Pathologist, whose interests include normal and disordered laryngeal dysfunction with an emphasis on the contribution of respiration and the evaluation and treatment of voice disorders. She is currently involved in research focused on the improvement of cough and voice production following expiratory muscle strength training. Graduate Study Coordinator Fofi Constantinidou, CCC-SLP, Associate Professor (Ph.D. University of Cincinnati, 1995) Speech-language pathologist whose interests include neuroscience/ neuropathology, adult neurological populations, and research methods in speech pathology. She is currently investigating learning, memory, and cognition following head trauma and in normal aging. Clinic Coordinator Cheryl Stewart , CCC-SLP, Clinic Coordinator (M.A. New York University, 1991). She has worked in a variety of settings as a clinician, supervisor, team coordinator, consultant and independent contractor. She specializes in infants and toddlers. Extern Coordinator M. Ann Glaser, CCC-SLP, Assistant Professor (M.S., University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, 1970) Speech-language pathologist whose interests include child language disorders, speech and language services in schools and techniques for supervising students. She is currently Editor-In-Chief of SpeechPathology.com. Alice R. Kahn, CCC-SLP, Associate Professor (Ph.D., University of Memphis, 1984) Speech-language pathologist whose interests include literacy and the teaching of professional writing. Neuroanatomy, craniofacial anomalies, clinical photography, and organically based communication disorders are also areas of expertise. Dr. Kahn is the author of Craniofacial Anomalies: A Beginner's Guide For Speech-Language Pathologists (2000) Singular Thompson Learning. Laura J. Kelly, CCC-A , Associate Professor (Ph.D., Michigan State University, 1989) Audiologist who teaches courses in amplification, hearing loss management and electronystagmography (ENG). Research interests include counseling, attitudes toward hearing impairment and the perception of speech by individuals with normal hearing and hearing loss. Kitty Kubat, CCC-SLP, Visiting Instructor. (MS, Indiana University of Pennsylvania.) Child and Adult Language Disorders. Donna Scarborough, CCC-SLP, Assistant Professor (PhD, University of Cincinnati, 2002) Speech-language pathologist whose clinical and research interests include developmental neurosensory physiology, dysphagia and medical pediatrics. Barbara Weinrich, CCC-SLP, Associate Professor (Ph.D, University of Cincinnati, 1997) Speech-language pathologist who is interested in the study of child language disorders, voice disorders, techniques for supervising student clinicians on the undergraduate and graduate levels of clinical practicum, and private practice in communication disorders of children and adults. Lisa Williamson, CCC-SLP, Visiting Instructor. (M.S. Miami University) Child Speech and Language Disorders. Melissa Price, CCC-SLP, Visiting Instructor. (M.S. California University of Pennsylvania, 1993) Speech/Language Pathologist. In addition to the faculty listed above, the graduate program in speech pathology and audiology and the Miami University Speech and Hearing Clinic calls upon adjunct faculty and practicing professionals to provide guest lectures in areas of expertise and clinic supervision. These individuals have distinguished themselves in their respective disciplines and help provide a strong link between academics, clinical application and various professional organizations. We also maintain close ties on Miami's campus with the Scripps Foundation for gerontology, educational psychology and special education.  Faculty Member SpotlightDonna Scarborough graduated from the University of Illinois (1991) with a degree in speech and hearing science and several varsity letters (Track/Cross Country). She completed her graduate work (in speech pathology) at the University of Louisville School of Medicine (1993) with a special interest in adult neurogenic disorders. However, she was also employed during this time at Kosair Children's Hospital on the child psychiatric unit. Following graduate school, Dr. Scarborough obtained employment at University Medical Center in Las Vegas. This experience allowed Dr. Scarborough to develop clinical skills across the age spectrum (including the NICU and PICU). Following this time in Las Vegas, Dr. Scarborough returned to her roots and attended the University of Cincinnati to pursue a doctoral degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders. During this process Dr Scarborough also maintained her clinical skills in long-term care facilities and with the birth to three populations. Although Dr. Scarborough enjoys the clinical challenges across the age spectrum, she developed a passion for the medically fragile infants and toddlers and has directed her research into this area. Following obtaining her doctoral degree, Dr. Scarborough joined the faculty at Miami University in the Fall of 2003 where she is currently employed. Personal Teaching Philosophy Her teaching philosophy is one of a multi-sensory approach to teaching that incorporates what we know about how the brain stores information and tapping into these mechanisms. Her passion for the field is expressed in her teaching, but so is the knowledge that her students will someday be serving patients. Armed with this understanding her students are challenged to be master observers and critical thinkers so that they may develop the necessary skills for becoming future clinicians. Research/Areas Interests Her areas of research interest include: developing theoretical models of neurophysiology to explain behaviors (i.e. such as gagging) observed primarily in the pediatric population (for which she received the ASHA Division 13 New Investigator Award (2004)). Currently she is working on a project with the neuroscience center to develop an animal model to specifically study the nucleus tractus solitarius. Other research interests include collaboration with the engineering department, exploring the use of ultrasound with young children, discovering new treatment techniques and developing more of an understanding of the emotional impact of clinicians coping with the loss of pediatric patients. Dr. Scarborough recently began (2006) serving a 3-year appointment to the ASHA Division 13 Research Committee as the pediatric liaison. Classes Taught The courses that Dr. Scarborough has taught have ranged from the graduate courses in dysphagia, trachs and vents, child language and literacy, tests and measurements to the undergraduate survey course and anatomy and physiology of the speech and hearing mechanism. Favorite Textbooks or Recommended Readings Her favorite anatomy book is still Zemlin (who she had the honor of meeting while at Illinois). Dr. Scarborough has hundreds of references that she uses in her dysphagia, trach and vent course…all which have a purpose, but too many to name or select a favorite. Grants/Projects NeuroCognitive Disorders Lab The NeuroCognitive Disorders Lab, directed by Fofi Constantinidou, is housed in the Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology. The lab is equipped with current neuropsychological/cognitive tests, research protocols and materials required for the ongoing projects, as well as two networked computers. Approximately 6-9 undergraduate and 3-6 graduate students participate in research projects each year via independent studies, master's theses, or graduate research projects. Some of the undergraduate students are funded via university programs (e.g., Undergraduate Summer Scholars Program, College of Arts & Science Dean's Scholars Program, Small Research Grants, and others). Graduate students are funded by the university or by competitive grants awarded to Dr. Constantinidou in support of her research. Currently four primary research projects are being conducted:
The Speech Pathology & Audiology Clinic at Miami University has a state of the art Voice Laboratory used for the diagnosis and treatment of adults and children who exhibit the full range of voice disorders. Acoustic and aerodynamic analysis of voice, as well as laryngeal videostroboscopic assessment of vocal function are provided. The clinical services are performed by Miami University faculty, Barbara Weinrich, Ph.D., Susan Baker, Ph.D., and professionals from the Blaine Block Institute for Voice Analysis and Rehabilitation (IVAR), Joseph Stemple, Ph.D., Director. Research opportunities, in the area of voice disorders, are available for students who mentor with Dr. Weinrich, or Dr. Baker. NSSLHA News NSSLHA is a very strong organization in the Speech Pathology/Audiology Department at Miami University. Miami University's NSSLHA chapter hosts guest speakers for scholarship programming in collaboration with the Sign Language and Deaf Culture Awareness Club. NSSLHA also provides community service for Ohio Valley Voices, The Oxford Senior Citizen Center, and Cincinnati Center for Autism. The chapter sponsors social activities such as the NSSLHA Bigs/Littles program and Student/Faculty Luncheons. Currently, the Miami University NSSLHA chapter is planning the first-annual state-wide NSSLHA conference to be held October 21st of 2006 at Miami University, Oxford, Ohio. The keynote speaker for the conference is Alex Johnson, president of ASHA. The Miami NSSLHA chapter is looking forward to the success of the conference and hopefully starting a tradition that will continue for many years to come! Information on National NSSLHA: http://www.asha.org/students/professions/nsslha.htm |