Title
Speech-language pathologist and clinical coordinator, Departments of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery-Facial Plastic Surgery, Audiology and Speech Pathology/Voice Laboratory
Place of Employment
Geisinger Health System at the Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, PA
Who Influenced You to Enter the Profession?
Colleen Marks, retired professor at Bloomsburg State College (now known as Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania). She taught my first "speech path" course. She was so dynamic, convincing, and motivating that I completely committed myself to this field of study.
Who Was the Most Influential Person in Your Career? Why?
Actually there were three. The first was Frank Rousseau, former director of the Departments of Speech and Language Pathology and Audiology, who hired me to work at the Geisinger Medical Center one year after I received my master's degree. It was his mentorship that enabled me to grow and learn in the field of voice and swallowing disorders and led me to the areas that are my primary professional interests today.
Secondly, Thomas Kennedy, currently chair of the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery-Facial Plastic Surgery at Geisinger Medical Center. His knowledge of the medical/surgical basis of head and neck disorders enhanced my clinical skills in speech, voice, and deglutition disorders. His mentorship and demanding expectations led to the development of our Clinical Voice Laboratory.
Finally, my wife Linda has contributed tremendously to my professional growth. After all, she was the person who agreed to my attending an International Association of Laryngectomees Voice Institute for two weeks in Texas the week after we returned from our honeymoon!
What Was Your Most Memorable Continuing Education Activity?
It was at a Society for Ear, Nose and Throat Advances in Children meeting in 1980. I was presenting a co-authored paper on "Congenital Subglottic and Acquired Laryngeal Stenosis-Surgical and Rehabilitative Procedures." As the topic was new to our field and I was relatively new to the profession, I was honored that one of the session's participants, Daniel Boone, was actually taking notes on my presentation. This was the same person whose book, The Voice and Voice Therapy, I had studied in a graduate voice class.
Hobbies and Favorite Pastime
By far, following my children's athletic events and careers. Our children have enjoyed success in basketball both at the high school and college levels. Our son, Evan, is now attending medical school in Philadelphia. He was a 1000-point plus scorer in college. Our daughter, Katie, is a freshman at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania majoring in elementary education and plays for the women's team.
How Did You Find Out About the Learn & Earn Program?
Through an enclosure with my ASHA membership card that arrived just at the time that I and several members of our audiology staff were seeking ways to obtain mandatory CE credits to maintain our ASHA certification.
In Which Component of Learn & Earn Did You Participate? Why Did You Choose to Participate?
I was preparing a presentation to staff on "Voice Disorders in Children" that I knew would require many hours of research, review of stroboscopic studies, and formulating my thoughts for the topic areas I'd cover. It was fun to do but what was even better was that I obtained valuable CE hours that I used toward my required hours commitment for maintaining ASHA certification!
Best Feature of the Learn & Earn Program?
Working with the ASHA CE staff! They were extremely helpful and made my experience a great success. As professionals serving the public we are all under time constraints and on many occasions do things "between patients." The ASHA CE staff was flexible working with my schedule for returning phone calls/paperwork promptly. Their cooperation made my personal and professional obligations easy, hassle-free, and meaningful.
More information on the Learn & Earn program, fees, and registration applications is available in the Continuing Education section. Click on Learning Your Way. E-mail learn-earn@asha.org. Or contact the ASHA Action Center at 800-498-2071.