We have begun an exciting new year of planning resources and initiatives for our Texas Speech-Language-Hearing Association (TSHA) members! This is driven by our talented slate of Executive Council members, which includes committee chairs and committee members who are already planning to achieve their goals within our strategic plan for 2025. The 2025 Executive Council (EC) is comprised of TSHA volunteer members who are either continuing their roles from 2024 or who have recently started a new term.

Members of the Texas Speech-Language-Hearing Association (TSHA) Financial Advisory Committee (FAC) include: Hayden Grahm (Public Member), Melinda Corwin, Dalan Gore, Brittany Hall, Donise Pearson, Judy Rich, Jennifer Watson, Lisa Milliken (President/Ex Officio), Robyn Martin (Past-President/Ex Officio), and Katie Strang (Executive Director/Advisory).

This four-part series will discuss the vulnerability of healthcare, insurance contracts, data collection, government contacts, and contract negotiation. Health insurance, as we know it in the U.S., began in the 1930s during the Great Depression. Commercial carriers began offering hospital coverage for more catastrophic events in 1934 and then expanded to surgical coverage in 1938. 

I have been so impressed with the speech-language pathology and audiology students I have met throughout Texas as a graduate student representative for the Texas Speech-Language-Hearing Association (TSHA). You are hard workers, ambitious, and ready to take on the world. I also know that your schedules are packed with every learning experience, networking opportunity, and service project you can fit into your busy lives. It makes sense that one of the biggest concerns I hear from you is time management. I completely empathize with this feeling as I navigate parenting my busy two-year-old and serving on the TSHA Executive Board while attending class and clinical experiences. While I am certainly not an expert, I wanted to share my experience with you in the hopes that you can feel more in control of your time and stay on top of all your responsibilities. 

Congratulations to the recipients of the 2024 Texas Speech Language Hearing Foundation (TSHF) awards! A total of $66,800 was awarded to 38 students and professionals! This was made possible by generous donors. Thank you to everyone who provided a one-time contribution and to some who continue to support the Foundation with monthly recurring donations.

Early-Bird Discounts for the TSHA 2025 Convention End March 20!

Cafe TSHA is an initiative of the TSHA Publications Board. Levity Lounge is a walk on the lighter side. Tips for Tx offers clever hacks to up your therapy game. Tech Bytes covers new and noteworthy technology finds. Student Swap provides student-focused ideas and inspiration. Wellness Corner emphasizes self-care for service providers. We encourage you to submit your ideas to publications@txsha.org for consideration for publication in future issues.