Event Sponsors

Learner Outcomes

1. Identify the role of audiology and speech-language pathology licensure boards in regulating diversity, equity, and inclusion for consumer protection.
   
2. Define ableism and its impact on consumer protection.
   
3. List the reporting requirements of the National Practitioner Databank and understand NPDB queries to ensure consumer protection.
   
4. Explain collaborative interprofessional care.
   
5. List 3 potential components of the FDA’s proposed regulations for over-the-counter hearing aids.
   
6. Delineate next steps for the ASLP-IC and identify challenges and advantages of the compact.
   
7. Demonstrate efficiencies of regulatory licensure boards.
   
8. Describe trends in supervision, tele-supervision, and the generational workforce.
   
9. List requirements for ETS’ Praxis exams and AAA and ASHA certifications in audiology and speech-language pathology.
   
10. Summarize accomplishments and challenges experienced by NCSB member states during the past year.

Conference Faculty

Susan Adams, Esq, CAE,  is the Director of State Legislative and Regulatory Affairs at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).

Nick Bellack is a client relations director for ETS and is responsible for providing support for professional licensure and certification stakeholders around the country.

Carol Breeze, MS CCC-SLP, is a Director in Continuing Education (CE) at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and consults on best practices in audiology and speech-language pathology to support CE policies.

Denise Brown is the Executive Director for the North Carolina Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and has been with the NC Board for 15 years.

Tammy H. Brown, M.A., CCC-A, is a licensed audiologist and Board President of the Ohio Speech and Hearing Professionals Board. She is a member of the American Academy of Audiology, American-Speech-Language Hearing Association, and the Ohio Speech-Language Hearing Association. She is president-elect and this years’ conference planning chair of NCSB.

Ashley B. Carothers, M.S., joined the National Practitioner Databank (NPDB) in the Health Resources and Services Administration in July 2021 as the Compliance Branch Chief.

Brian Francis, MBA, is the top executive of the largest occupational licensing agency in the state of Texas. He has 36 years of public service experience, 22 of which were in executive level roles.

Brenda Fairfax, Ed.D., is a public board member on the North Carolina Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology.

Amy S. Goldman, MS, CCC-SLP, is chair of the Pennsylvania Board of Examiners, and president of NCSB. She is also president of the US Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (USSAAC) and past president of the Pennsylvania Speech- Language-Hearing Association.

Jolie Jones has served as the Executive Director for 7 years for the Louisiana Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, in addition to 7 years as the Board's Administrative Assistant.

Nahale Freeland Kalfas, Esq., has served as General Counsel for the North Carolina Board of Examiners for Speech and Language Pathologists and Audiologists for the past fourteen years, is legal counsel to the Counsel of State Governments National Center for Interstate Compacts (CSG-NCIC).

Jo Ann Linseisen is the Senior Director, Continuing Education (CE) at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Jo Ann directs the association’s system of approval of organizations offering continuing professional education.

Lorraine Lockett-Amaechi is a Compliance Officer for the Division of Practitioner Data Bank (DPDB), Bureau of Health Workforce, Health Resources and Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Lawrence F. Molt, Ph.D., CCC-SLP/AUD, is Professor and Director of the Neuroprocesses Research Laboratory in the Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences Department at Auburn University in Alabama. An ASHA Fellow, he holds both CCC-A and CCC-SLP and was in the initial cadre of Board Certified Fluency Specialists. He teaches, does research, and provides both clinical supervision and clinical services in both audiology and speech-language pathology. As well as serving on the NCSB Board, Larry serves as Chair of the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact Commission.

Thomas Muller, Au.D., CCC-A, FAAA, is a Clinical Professor and Coordinator of Clinical Education in Audiology at the University of Arizona. He is currently serving as Chair of ASHA’s Council for Clinical Certification in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology.

India Ochs, Esq., is a mother, attorney, author, sports fanatic, and hardcore fan of Star Wars, musicals, and Robert Kennedy. An experienced public speaker and agitator, she has been involved in human rights and social policy for 35 years.

Kerri Philips, SLP.D., is Professor/Program Director at Louisiana Tech University as well as adjunct instructor at Nova Southeastern. Dr. Phillips has served multiple terms on the Louisiana Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology. She is on the Board of Directors with NCSB.

Susan Pilch, JD, is the Senior Director of Government Relations for the American Academy of Audiology and oversees federal and state legislative and regulatory efforts. She has significant experience on a wide range of issues including sate licensure, reimbursement, contractual and policy-related insurance coverage issues, Medicare and Medicaid and patient access to services and care.

Theresa H. Rodgers, MA, CCC-SLP, L-SLP, EdS (LD), is ASHA's Past President, an SLP and special education consultant. A Board Certified Specialist in Child Language and an ASHA Fellow, she has served as president of ASHA, CSAP, NCSB, and LSHA. Theresa is a former member of the Louisiana licensure board and chaired the ASHA Board of Ethics.

Sherry Sancibrian, MS, CCC-SLP, BCS-CL, FASHA, is a University Distinguished Professor at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, where she has been the Program Director for Speech-Language Pathology since 1999. She is past-chair of the Texas licensure board and a past president of NCSB.

Johnnie Sexton, Au.D., created the nonprofit agency, The CARE Project, serving as Executive Director, for the advancement of family, professional and pre-professional training opportunities in emotional/adjustment counseling. Dr. Sexton has worked with children who are deaf and hard of hearing for almost 4 decades.

Gregg B. Thornton, Esq., is the Executive Director of the Ohio Speech and Hearing Professionals Board. He is an affiliate member with the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, American Academy of Audiology, International Hearing Society, and is on the Board of Directors with NCSB and currently serving as past-president.