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Patty Prelock
Co-Chair
Speech-Language
Pathology | We welcome you to the beautiful and historic city of Boston, which is hosting the 2007 ASHA Convention. It is appropriate that the Convention theme is ‘Honor the Past, Forge the Future,’ as Boston has played a major role in the history of our country, as well as in the history of our profession. Further, Boston’s numerous universities give birth to a remarkable amount of clinical research that contributes to the scientific base of our professions.
Many people contributed to the planning of this Convention. The ASHA staff have worked tirelessly since the end of the 2006 Convention to create the exciting venues in Boston for all the events. The Program Committees began their work in the Fall of 2006 and assembled the numerous review committees to review the 1800+ abstracts that were submitted for this Convention. The Topic Coordinators for Speech-Language Pathology included Ruth Huntley Bahr, Michelle Bourgeois, Melissa Bruce, Ellayne Ganzfried, Ron Gillam, Robert Hillman, Rhea Paul, Margaret Rogers, Rose Sevcik, Edythe Strand, Paula Sullivan, Ann Tyler, and Amy Weiss. The Committee Chairs for Audiology include Sherri Jones, David Zapala, Devin McCaslin, Faith Akin, Debbie Moncrieff, Sheila Pratt, Andy Stuart, and Bob Turner. The quality of the submitted presentations selected for presentation is the result of the hard work of the members of our entire Convention Committee.
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Bob Burkard
Co-Chair
Audiology | We are pleased that we were able to attract a number of quality keynote speakers. On the audiology side of the Convention, our keynote speakers include Douglas Keefe, Michael Sorga, Bob Margolis, Conrad Wall, Melody Harrison, Sharon Cameron, Charlie Liberman, Sharon Kujawa, Neil Todd, David Bergstrom, and Laura Wilber. Friday’s two-hour keynote session will focus on Early Intervention, while on Saturday our two-hour session will focus on Vestibular function. Following the Technology presentations, there will be a panel discussion (led by several prominent audiologists) that will explore the potential impact of acoustic reflectance measures and computerized audiometry on the profession of Audiology. Other keynote sessions will include Vestibular Prostheses, Protection from Acoustic Injury, and the Past, Present, and Future of Audiology.
On the Speech-Language Pathology side, we have several invited presentations with speakers outside of our profession who will bring new information and perspective to our thinking including Jerome Kagan, a developmental psychologist studying temperament; Jack Fletcher, Ray Reutzel, and Hollis Scarborough, noted researchers in language, reading, and reading disabilities; Helen Tager-Flusberg and Robert Joseph, psychologists studying language and the brain; Leslie Rescorla, a psychologist examining relationships between language delays and emotional problems; Paul Bloom describing his research on learning the meaning of words and theory of mind; Söenke Stanschus, a clinical linguist supporting the development of dysphagia training for clinicians in the German health care system; Eric Ahlskog, a neurologist studying Parkinson’s disease; Steven Sabat, a neuropsychologist investigating the cognitive and social abilities of people with Alzheimer’s disease; Frank Cerny, a pulmonary exercise physiologist applying the principles of exercise physiology to changes in speech and swallowing; Argye Hillis, a neurologist studying aphasia treatment; Deborah Fidler, examining genetic disorders and early behavioral profiles in Down syndrome and Williams syndrome; Cameron Camp, a research scientist focusing on treatments for persons with dementia; and Heidelise Als, internationally known for her developmental model of care in the NICU. There are also panel discussions with some of our noted mentors in fluency disorders describing influential factors in fluency research, pressing issues and ways to cultivate future research as well as noted mentors in AAC as they consider the history, current issues, and future challenges for persons with complex communication challenges. Please see the highlights of some of these sessions and others sponsored by the Program Committee featuring our own clinicians and researchers on page 67.
Sessions on Saturday will highlight the work and mentorship of one our most prominent members—Ray Kent—in honor of his retirement. Please see the special description of the Ray Kent Symposium sessions on page 70 that speak to the legacy he has provided for our profession and our members.
The 2007 Convention is more than just its scientific presentations—it is also the exhibit hall, the numerous business and social events, and mostly it is about networking with colleagues, and meeting future colleagues and friends. It is also about getting to explore a city that has the look and feel of a European town—the home to numerous museums, as well as a remarkable diversity of ethnic cuisines in its many restaurants. We hope you will all stay around Saturday night and attend the Closing Party at the Boston Public Library in BackBay. (See p. 23)
And please, stop by to tell us how much you enjoyed the Convention (tell Bob this), or to complain about something you didn’t like (Patty is the unofficial complaint department). We are also offering a prize to the first person who can tell us how much older Patty is than Bob. You can tell that we want everyone to have fun with us in Boston!
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