Board of Directors
MSHF Board of Directors:
Katie Derkacz, M.A., CCC-SLP
Henry Ford Health System, Department of Neurology
Lisa Fisk, EdS, CCC-SLP (2023-present) Secretary
lisa@afisk.org
Lisa attended the University of Iowa as an undergraduate and transferred to the University of Northern Iowa where she earned a Bachelor of Arts-Teaching and a Master of Arts in Communication Disorders. She earned an Education Specialist Degree from Wayne State University in School Administration and a Certificate in Autism from the University of Kansas. Lisa as worked as a speech-language pathologist in a variety of capacities: including, home bound care, hospitals, and public school. During her time with the Warren Consolidated Schools she worked as a building based SLP, a building principal and a coordinator for the early childhood program. Lisa retired from public education and is enjoying the opportunity to travel.
Marc Haxer, M.A., CCC-SLP (2024-present)
Eastern Michigan University
Sherry Kuhn, M.A., CCC-SLP (2023-present) President
Rivetus Rehabilitation
sag.dean@gmail.com
Sherry earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Audiology and Speech Sciences from Michigan State University and her Master’s Degree in Hearing and Speech Sciences from Ohio University. She has served on the MSHA Executive Board in various capacities including President, Secretary and Vice-President for Community and Hospital Services. She has also served as an ASHA Legislative Councilor. Sherry is employed as a Speech Language Pathologist for Rivetus Rehabilitation at Optalis Healthcare and Rehab Center in Canton, MI (formerly Promedica, formerly Heartland Health Care). Sherry joined the MSHF Board in 2023 and is looking forward to helping promote the Foundation and increase awareness of its work in supporting students. In her spare time, Sherry enjoys baking, gardening and scrapbooking.
Kimberly Mabie, M.A., CCC-SLP (2024-present) Treasurer
kimberlymabie@gmail.com
Kim returned to her education after raising her four daughters and earned her bachelor’s degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology and her master’s degree in Speech & Language Pathology from Eastern Michigan University in 2011. She retired from the Michigan Public School System in 2022 and now fills her time with volunteer work for non-profit organizations. She enjoys traveling, history, writing, quilting, crafts, and has an enduring love for the speech-language pathology profession.
Alison Ortega, M.A., CCC-SLP (2025-present)
Chitter Chatter PC
Alison works in the pediatric outpatient setting, with special interests in Autism, AAC, early intervention and fluency. She is also a clinical supervisor and enjoys welcoming graduate clinicians from many University programs. In 2024, she started the AAC Storytime program at Riverview Public Library. This program provides hands-on AAC experience for student volunteers, while pairing them with caregivers and AAC users to enjoy adapted storytime programming. When not working, she enjoys running and playing soccer, in addition to having adventures with her children and husband. She is a Wayne State University alumnus.
Alice K. Silbergleit, Ph.D., CCC-SLP (2024-present)
Dr. Silbergleit received her B.A. in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) from Michigan State University and her M.A. and Ph.D. in CSD from Wayne State University. She is the Director of the Division of Speech-Language Sciences and Disorders, Department of Neurology, Henry Ford Health. She is one of the founders of the Henry Ford Health Medical Speech-Language Pathology clinical fellowship program. Her patient care and research interests revolve around the diagnosis and treatment of individuals with dysphagia, voice disorders including professional voice users, and individuals with motor speech disorders such as Parkinson disease. She is the author of the Dysphagia Handicap Index and the Dysphagia Handicap Index-Companion outcomes measures. She is a recipient of the MSHA Clinician of the Year award and the MSHA Honors of the Association award. She is excited to be part of the MSHF board to assist students and to further the profession of Speech-Language Pathology.
John Stevens, JD (2020-Present)
jstevens@mathesonparr.com
Matheson, Parr, Osmer, & Stevens, PLC, Partner
John A. Stevens is an attorney and managing partner of his law firm, Matheson Parr Osmer & Stevens PLC in Troy, Michigan. A partner with the firm for over 30 years, Stevens’ areas of practice includes the representation of non-profit corporations, charities and foundations. His work in this area includes the creation of such companies and for a number of clients, assisting them to obtain 501c3 tax exempt status with the Internal Revenue Service, and providing counsel and advice in various matters including fundraising and endowment creation. Among the nonprofit entities he has helped to create include the incorporation of CSAP and the Michigan Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation, the latter for which he received the MSHA Distinguished Service Award. He has served on the governing boards of several public charities and foundations. Stevens earned his BA and JD at University of Michigan, interspersed with active service in the Navy during the Vietnam War, followed by 24 years in the Naval Reserve as a JAG officer, retiring as Captain, JAGC, USNR in 1997.
Tammy Shilling, Ph.D. CCC-SLP (2022-Present), MSHA Liaison
Andrews University, School of Communication Sciences and Disorders
Dr. Shilling is an Associate Professor and Undergraduate Program Director at Andrews University School of Communication Sciences and Disorders. Tammy received her Bachelor’s degree at the University of Kansas and her Master’s degree in Speech-language Pathology from the University of Kansas Medical Center campus. Tammy completed a Ph.D. in Education with an emphasis in curriculum and instruction at Andrews University. Her research is focused in the areas of active learning in higher education, voice prevention and education with teachers and occupational voice users, and the effectiveness of metacognitive learning strategies in health professions education. Tammy’s clinical experience has primarily focused on adult rehabilitation with areas of specialty in dysphagia, voice disorders, and neurocognitive communication disorders. Tammy is passionate about creating a learning experience that promotes critical thinking and a heart for learning for all of her undergraduate and graduate students as they prepare to be professionals in communication sciences and disorders. Dr. Tammy Shilling joined the Michigan Speech and Hearing Foundation in 2022.
Cathy Williams, M.A., CCC-SLP (2025-present)
Redford Union Public Schools
Past Board Members
Pamela M. Ansell, M.A., CCC-SLP, (2017- 2023)Warren Woods Public Schools
Heather Balog, PhD, CCC-SLP
Balog Speech & Language Center, PLLC
Tamara G. Baubie, M.A., CCC-SLP, MT-BC
Beaumont Health
Kathy Boyer, M.S., CCC-SLP
Children's Hospital of Michigan, retired
Derek Daniels, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Wayne State University, Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders
Fran Eldis, Ph.D., CCC-SLP/A, ASHA Fellow
Children's Hospital, retired
Alyssa Eminhizer, Aud., CCC-A
Western Michigan University
Ellen Fairbrother, M.A., CCC-SLP, ASHA Fellow
Detroit Public Schools, Accent Reduction Inc., retired
Sandra Glista, M.S., CCC-SLP, ASHA Fellow
Western Michigan University Department of Speech Pathology & Audiology, retired
Ashley Gutowski, M.A., CCC-SLP
Global Psychology, MSHA Liaison to Board
Courtney Halbower, M.A., CCC-SLP (2018-2024)
Global Psychology Services
Brian McTaggart, M.A., CCC-SLP (2021-2024)
Wayne-Westland Community Schools
Mary Peterson, AuD, CCC-A
Western Michigan University, retired
Gloria Polk, M.A., CCC-SLP
Speech Language Pathologist
Kathy Rigley, M.A.,CCC-SLP
Western Michigan University
Greg Spray, PH.D., CCC-SLP (2021-2024)
Auburn University
Lizbeth J. Stevens, PhD, CCC-SLP, ASHA Fellow, (2006-2012, 2020-2024)
Eastern Michigan University, Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences
Katie Strong, Ph.D., CCC-SLP ASHA Fellow (2018-Present)
Central Michigan University
Tim Weise, M.A., CCC-SLP ASHA Fellow (2018-2024)
Retired from Garden City Hospital/Prime Healthcare