Board of Directors
MSHF Board of Directors:Pamela M. Ansell, M.A., CCC-SLP, (2017-Present)
pansell@mywwps.org
Warren Woods Public Schools
Pamela earned her Bachelor of Science in Communication Disorders from Central Michigan University and her Master of Arts in Speech Pathology from Western Michigan University. During her years in the Warren Woods Public Schools, Pamela has been an itinerant Speech-Language Pathologist, and is currently a classroom teacher for students with Severe Language Impairments in Warren Woods Public Schools. She joined the MSHF board in 2017.
Alyssa Eminhizer, AuD., CCC-A (2019-Present)
alyssa.b.eminhizer@wmich.edu
Western Michigan University
Alyssa Eminhizer, AuD., CCC-A is an audiologist and a Clinical Faculty member at Western Michigan University. She received her bachelor’s degree from Purdue University and her Au.D. from WMU. She is a practicing clinician at the Charles Van Riper Language, Speech and Hearing Clinic. Much of her time is spent seeing patients and supervising graduate students in the clinic. She additionally teaches the undergraduate course: Introduction to Audiology, and enjoys getting students excited about the field. She is very involved in community outreach and student recruitment, and serves as the faculty advisor to the WMU chapter of the Student Academy of Audiology. She is excited to bring an audiologist’s perspective to the board.
Courtney Halbower, M.A., CCC-SLP (2018-Present)
courtneyahalbower@gmail.com
Global Psychology Services
Courtney Halbower, M.A. CCC-SLP is currently serving as the Lead Speech Language Pathologist for Global Psychology Services (GPS) and also serving in the role of Speech Education Coordinator for a number of charter schools in the city of Detroit. She received her B.A. in Communicative Sciences and Disorders from Michigan State University and her M.A. in Speech Language Pathology from Wayne State University. Courtney is also a past recipient of the Michigan Speech Language and Hearing Association Scholarship. Courtney is the representative to ASHA serving in the role of State Education Advocacy Leader for Michigan. She also sits on the Special Education Advisory Committee that advises the Michigan State Board of Education. Courtney joined the MSHF board in 2017.
Brian McTaggart, M.A., CCC-SLP (2021-Present)
brian.i.mctaggart@gmail.com
Warren Woods Public Schools
Brian received his Bachelor’s Degree in English from Michigan State University. After teaching English in South Korea for three years, he returned to complete his post-baccalaureate studies in Communication Sciences and Disorders at Wayne State University. Brian earned his Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology from Western Michigan University. Since then, he has served as school-based Speech-Language Pathologist for a diverse and inspirational group of students. As a recipient of an MSHF scholarship himself, Brian is honored to be able to continue the Foundation’s work supporting others.
Kathy Rigley, M.A.,CCC-SLP (2017-Present)
Katherine.rigley-rowell@wmich.edu
Western Michigan University, Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences
Kathy Rigley-Rowell, M.A., CCC-SLP, is a practicing speech language pathologist and Clinical Faculty Member at Western Michigan University. She specializes in adult swallowing and communication disorders. Kathy has practiced since 2001 and is Past-President of the Michigan Speech Language Hearing Association (MSHA). She has also served on MSHA's Ethics and Advocacy Committees. Kathy attended Central Michigan University for both her undergraduate and graduate studies in Speech Language Pathology. She is passionate about developing leadership skills in students as well as advocating on behalf of consumers and individuals with communication and/or swallowing disorders. Kathy enjoys the challenges and gratification of earning the trust of others who are in need of support, intervention and/or education.
Gregory Spray, Ph.D., CCC-SLP (2021- Present)
spraygre@msu.edu
Michigan State University, Department of Communicative Sciences & Disorders
Dr. Spray is an Assistant Professor and Graduate Program Director in the Department of Communicative Sciences and Disorders at Michigan State University. His research focuses on the neural mechanisms underlying speech production in typically developing children and children who stutter. In addition to this primary area of interest, he’s interested in examining the relationship between voice therapy and life satisfaction in individuals who are transgender. Dr. Spray received his M.A. and Ph.D. in Communicative Sciences and Disorders from Michigan State University, and his B.S. in Speech Pathology and Audiology from Western Michigan University. He is passionate about diversity and infusion as it relates to the training and education of students and speech-language pathologists. He currently serves as the Past-President for MSHA where he also served as Member-at-Large Representing Students, Vice President for Membership, President-Elect, and President (2019–2021). Dr. Spray serves as a reviewer for Topics in Language Disorders and an ad-hoc reviewer for Journal of Communication Disorders. He is an active member of the International Fluency Association, the Council for State Association Presidents (CSAP), and ASHA’s multicultural constituency group, L’GASP. In addition to working, Dr. Spray enjoys volunteering in various capacities, including: Chapter Advisor for Pi Kappa Phi at Michigan State University, Alumni boards (MSU and WMU), advocacy and political campaigns, and the MSU Presidential Search and Transition Committees. Find him on ResearchGate here: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Gregory-Spray.
Lizbeth J. Stevens, PhD, CCC-SLP, ASHA Fellow, (2006-2012, 2020-Present) MSHF President
drlstevens@gmail.com
Eastern Michigan University, Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences
is a speech-language pathologist and professor emerita from Eastern Michigan University. She served as the first president of the MSHFoundation in 2006 and was instrumental in its establishment. She remained on its initial board through 2012 serving also as Treasurer. She is a past president of the Michigan-Speech-Language-Hearing Association (2005) and received its honors in 2008. Dr. Stevens has served her profession in numerous leadership positions over the years (ASHA Legislative Councilor, President of CSAP, Vice-Chair Michigan Licensure Board) and continues to serve as a site visitor for the Council for Academic Accreditation and as University Giving Program ambassador for Eastern Michigan University for the American Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation. She is very excited to be working again with the MSHFoundation board as the organization continues to work on fulfilling its mission to help individuals pursuing education as well as to support individuals who require services.
John Stevens, JD (2020-Present) MSHF Secretary
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.
Katie Strong, Ph.D., CCC-SLP (2018-Present)
stron4ka@cmich.edu
Central Michigan University, Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders
Katie Strong is an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Central Michigan University. Her research explores how therapists can support people with aphasia and brain injury rebuild their identity by co-constructing stories about who they are. Katie has a B.S. in Psychology from Washington State University. She has an M.A. in Speech-Language Pathology from Kansas State University and a Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences from Western Michigan University. Katie has 30 years of clinical experience and 20 years of university clinical teaching. Katie is passionate about training the future generation of speech-language pathologists to support their clients in participating in their lives through communication. She is a Tavistock Trust for Aphasia Distinguished Scholar. Katie is a founding member of the Lansing Area Support Group. Katie has been an active MSHA member since moving to Michigan in 1999 and received the Honors of the Association from MSHA in 2022. She is a former MSHA Board Member and former Vice Chair of the inaugural Michigan SLP Licensure Board. Katie serves on the ASHA Continuing Education Board. She is a regular host of the Aphasia Access Conversations Podcast. You can download and listen to the podcasts at www.aphasiaacccess.org or on your favorite podcast app.
Tim Weise, M.A., CCC-SLP, ASHA Fellow (2018-Present), MSHF Treaasurer
weise.tim6@gmail.com
Retired from Garden City Hospital / Prime Healthcare
Tim received his B.S. and M.A. in Speech Language Pathology at Eastern Michigan University. He is a past MSHA Executive board member including past president with activity in Health Care and Legislative committees. Tim is a past member and chair of the inaugural Michigan Speech Language Pathology Licensure Board. He has had involvement in ASHA governance, networks and committees.Currently he is retired after over 40 years of medically based: clinical SLP, SLP consulting and administrative physical medicine and rehab work.
Ad Hoc Members
Heather Balog, PhD, CCC-SLP
heather.balog@balogspeechlang.com
Balog Speech & Language Center, PLLC
Heather Balog has been a speech-language pathologist for 22 years and currently owns a private private practice in Plymouth, MI. She earned her clinical master's degree from the University of Northern Iowa and her Ph.D. in speech-language pathology from Purdue University. She has worked as a clinician, university professor, researcher, and clinician throughout her career. She has served on the MSHA Executive Board as VP of Students and as President and on the MSHF Board from 2012-2018 (2 years as President). In addition to working, she love spending time with her husband and daughter and serving her church community.
Tamara G. Baubie, M.A., CCC-SLP, MT-BC
tbaubie@hotmail.com
Beaumont Health
Tamara began her career as a Music Therapist receiving her bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University in 2000. She became interested in the field of Speech-Language Pathology when she had success treating patients who had suffered strokes that had an easier time singing than speaking. Tamara went on to receive a Master of Arts degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Wayne State University in 2006. She has over 18 years of combined clinical experience and continues to have a passion for helping individuals live life following neurological injuries. Her primary areas of expertise include treatment of individuals with traumatic brain injury and dysarthria.
Kathy Boyer, M.S., CCC-SLP
boyerbrooklyn@comcast.net
Retired, Children's Hospital of Michigan
Derek Daniels, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
dedaniels@wayne.edu
Wayne State University, Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders
Derek E. Daniels, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, is an Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Wayne State University. He teaches undergraduate and graduate courses, including Stuttering (graduate), Professional Issues in Speech-Language Pathology (graduate), Normal Language Development (undergraduate), and Introduction to Speech-Language Pathology (undergraduate). He recently received a 2018 Excellence in Teaching Award from Wayne State University's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Derek has been a certified speech-language pathologist since 2002. He also serves as an Associate Editor for the Journal of Fluency Disorders. Derek is a person who stutters, provides clinical services for people who stutter, and supervises graduate student training in stuttering through Wayne State University's Speech and Language Outpatient Clinic. He has participated in many self-help events, workshops, and clinical training programs for people who stutter, including Camp Shout Out and FRIENDS one-day workshops. Derek's research focuses on public perceptions of people who stutter, identity construction and self-image, psychosocial experiences, and cultural context. He has presented at numerous regional, state, and national conferences. Derek was elected for MSHA President for 2021.
Fran Eldis, Ph.D., CCC-SLP/A, ASHA Fellow
franceseldis@yahoo.com
Dr. Frances Eldis, PhD, CCC-A/SLP, ASHA Fellow, is a native Detroiter who is dually certified as speech language pathologist and audiologist. She is currently retired from
Wayne State University as the Audiology Clinical Education Coordinator, and has worked in Detroit Public Schools as well as Children’s Hospital of Michigan as Director of Communication Disorders for 37 years. She obtained her B.A. and M.A. in Speech Language Pathology, and Ph.D. in Audiology from Wayne State University. Fran has served on the MSHF board since 2005.
Ellen Fairbrother, M.A., CCC-SLP, ASHA Fellow
AccentR@aol.com
Ellen has recently retired as founder and president of Accent Reduction, Inc. as well as serving as President of the MSHF. She received both her B.A. and M.A. in speech-language pathology from Wayne State University. She has always been interested in speech, foreign languages, and diverse cultures. Ellen comes from a family of educators and becoming a speech-language pathologist seemed like the perfect combination of her interests. She is also a certified teacher with a specialty in Learning Disabilities. Throughout her entire career she has been active in MSHA, and then MSHF, serving as President of both organizations. It is her way of “staying current, being proactive, and giving back to my profession.”
Sandra Glista, M.S., CCC-SLP, ASHA Fellow
sandra.glista@wmich.edu
Retired from Western Michigan University Department of Speech Pathology & Audiology
Ashley Gutowski, M.A., CCC-SLP
MSHA Representative
a.gutowski@globalpsychology.net
Ashley Gutowski, M.A., CCC-SLP is currently employed by Global Psychology Services (GPS) as a Special Education Coordinator and Speech-Language Pathologist. Prior to working for GPS, she worked as a school Speech-Language Pathologist for the Education Achievement Authority. She earned her B.A. in Communicative Sciences and Disorders from Michigan State University and her M.A. in Speech-Language Pathology from Wayne State University. She is a past recipient of the Michigan Speech Language and Hearing Foundation Scholarship while earning her Master's degree. Ashley is looking forward to serving on the MSHF board to give back to the profession that has given her so much.