Presenters for the 2024 ASHA Health Care Summit

April 12, 2024 | In collaboration with Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, Chicago

The 2024 ASHA Health Care Summit features expert speakers from the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, along with individuals—and family members of individuals—with aphasia.

Kathryn Borio, MS, CCC-SLP, is a speech-language pathologist with 16 years of experience working with adults with cognitive- communication impairments at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab. Kathryn has worked in all levels of care treating adults with aphasia. Kathryn currently works in the Center for Aphasia Research and Treatment at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, performing virtual research assessments, creating virtual programming for community groups for people with aphasia, and working in the Intensive Aphasia Program. Kathryn received her BS in speech-language pathology at Miami University (Ohio) and her MS from Rush University Medical Center.

Financial Disclosures:

• Financial compensation from ASHA for this session
• Salary from the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab

Nonfinancial Disclosures:

• None

Frank Buttitta and Edwards Buice are a couple who live in Bucktown in Chicago. Frank and Edwards met 21 years ago playing tennis. From their first Valentine’s Day trip to Zihuantanejo, Mexico, Frank and Edwards have been excitedly exploring the world together. In 2013, the year after Frank’s stroke, Edwards and Frank got married. Frank was a very accomplished marketing manager at Arthur Anderson and later at Deloitte. Frank has an MS in marketing from Purdue and an MS in accounting from DePaul. At the time of his stroke, Frank was active in his church, was an LGBTQ rights advocate, and was on a board of Silk Road Rising Theater. In June 2012, Frank had an ischemic stroke and had aphasia and right-sided weakness with loss of right hand and arm function and difficulty walking. Frank loves a challenge, and for the past 12 years he has successfully rebuilt his life. Frank is very active; he works out weekly with a personal trainer. Frank is presently volunteering at PAWS and Fourth Presbyterian Church Meal Ministry. Frank is deeply involved in the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab Aphasia Community, and he regularly participates in Shirley Ryan AbilityLab Aphasia Groups. Frank is a travel agent extraordinaire. He organizes trips with Edwards (locally, nationally, and internationally). Frank puts together engaging, comprehensive, yet doable, itineraries. Edwards has been a flight attendant for 36 years, flying with American Airlines. In 2018, Edwards opened David Edwards Clothier, an online menswear store. His business is his passion! Frank and Edwards are known for a relationship that is marked by love, mutual respect, and especially humor. Frank often reminds Edwards that he is the boss!

Financial Disclosures:

• Financial compensation from ASHA for this session

Nonfinancial Disclosures:

• None

Julia Carpenter, MA, CCC-SLP, BC-ANCDS (she/her/hers) is the clinical practice leader for speech-language pathology and a research speech-language pathologist in the Center for Aphasia Research and Treatment at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab. Julie works with speech-language pathologists across the system of care to implement evidence-based assessments and interventions, works on various research projects, and provides interventions in the organization’s Intensive Comprehensive Aphasia Program. Julie is board-certified in neurogenic communication disorders from the Academy of Neurogenic Communication Disorders and Sciences and received the Illinois Speech-Language-Hearing Association's Exemplary Practice Award in 2023.

Financial Disclosures:

• Financial compensation from ASHA for this session

Nonfinancial Disclosures:

• None

Leora R. Cherney, PhD, CCC-SLP, BC-ANCDS, FACRM, is the scientific chair of Think and Speak at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab (formerly Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago) and a professor of both physical medicine & rehabilitation and communication sciences & disorders at Northwestern University. She has 40 years of experience in adult neurologic communication disorders. Her cutting-edge research centers primarily on stroke-induced aphasia, where she has explored behavioral, pharmacological, and neuromodulatory interventions to enhance treatment outcomes. Dr. Cherney has authored over 100 journal publications and six books. She has received numerous prestigious awards, including Honors of the Association from ASHA, ANCDS, and ISHA.

Financial Disclosures:

• Financial compensation from ASHA for this session
• Salary from the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab

Nonfinancial Disclosures:

• None

Caitlin Ferrer, MA, CCC-SLP (she/her/hers) is a speech-language pathologist at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. She has worked in various levels of care across her career, including skilled nursing, inpatient acute rehabilitation, day rehab, outpatient, and private practice. Caitlin is currently an adjunct professor at DePaul University’s speech-language pathology graduate program in the School of Science and Health. Caitlin holds a special interest in treating patients with aphasia and Parkinson’s disease. She presents locally and nationally on topics relating to aphasia management, clinical decision-making, and supported communication.

Financial Disclosures:

• Financial compensation from ASHA for this session

Nonfinancial Disclosures:

• None

Rachel S. Hitch, MA, CCC-SLP (she/her/hers) is a speech-language pathologist with over 30 years of experience. Rachel is presently a research speech-language pathologist at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in the Center for Aphasia Research and Treatment. Rachel manages the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab Aphasia Community groups, serving 70 individuals with aphasia and their families annually. Rachel's areas of interest and expertise include community-based programs and individualized treatment and care planning that support individuals in living well and thriving with disabilities.

Financial Disclosures:

• Financial compensation from ASHA for this session
• Salary from the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab

Nonfinancial Disclosures:

• None

Elissa Larkin, MS, CCC-SLP (she/her/hers) is a research speech-language pathologist and bioethicist at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Elissa earned her Master of Science in communication disorders with bilingual certification (Spanish) at Arizona State University and completed advanced training in the Clinical Bioethics Scholars Program at Northwestern Medicine Center for Bioethics and Medical Humanities. Elissa’s areas of clinical and scholarly interest include applications of ethical frameworks to promote patient rights and shared-decision making in rehabilitation practice, life participation approach to aphasia-centered research and treatment, and exploring and implementing interprofessional education models to increase communication access and equity for all patients.

Financial Disclosures:

• Financial compensation from ASHA for this session

Nonfinancial Disclosures:

• ASHA member

Rich and Lois Leber have been married for 47 years and reside in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. Rich and Lois have three children and six grandchildren. Rich was a CPA, VP Controller for 42 years. He has enjoyed golf, biking, hiking, and working out at the gym. Lois was a teacher and worked at the library before retirement. She is enjoying crafting and volunteering for Project Linus. Rich had a stroke and aphasia 7 years ago. He has worked hard on the recovery with the help of SLPs at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab. He is involved with the book club and discussion group at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab. He has done research projects for aphasia at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, at Northwestern, and in Milwaukee. Aphasia is an ongoing voyage. Living with aphasia is a roller coaster, with both highs and lows, for Rich, Lois, and their family.

Financial Disclosures:

• Financial compensation from ASHA for this session

Nonfinancial Disclosures:

• None

Jaime Lee, PhD, CCC-SLP (she/her/hers) is an associate professor in the CSD department at James Madison University. She teaches in the area of neurogenic communication disorders and is engaged in clinical research focused on adults with aphasia. She has published on topics such as attention and aphasia, reading and writing treatment for aphasia, aphasia group facilitation, and, most recently, texting in aphasia. She is the MPI on a NIH R15 award "Transactional Success in the Texting Exchanges of People with Aphasia."

Financial Disclosures:

• Financial compensation from ASHA for this session
• Salary from James Madison University
• Salary support from National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders of the National Institutes of Health 

Nonfinancial Disclosures:

• None

Anne K. Montana, MA, CCC-SLP (she/her/hers) is a senior speech-language pathologist at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, where she has treated people with aphasia across the continuum of care since 2005. She has extensive clinical experience at the inpatient, DayRehab, and outpatient levels of care as well as Shirley Ryan AbilityLab's Intensive Aphasia Program. She currently treats neurological conditions in the outpatient setting with particular interest in patient-centered care for the treatment of acute and chronic aphasia. Anne also serves as the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab student practicum coordinator and a clinical instructor to graduate students.

Financial Disclosures:

• None

Nonfinancial Disclosures:

• None

Patrick and Liz Shanahan fell in love during architecture school and married soon after, settling in the north side of Chicago. They have two children attending colleges across the country. Patrick was a Chicago-based architect who acquired a stroke and aphasia in 2017. Patrick continues to be creative and seizes any opportunity to pursue his interests; woodworking, painting, reading, collecting, and drawing. Liz switched career paths once their children started elementary school. She became an art teacher and is now an administrator at the Montessori school their children attended. Patrick continues to work on his recovery. He attended the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab Intensive Aphasia program, works with his Oral Reading for Language in Aphasia (ORLA) program most days, and is involved in Shirley Ryan AbilityLab Aphasia Groups and research opportunities. He volunteers as often as possible to help clinicians in communication training programs. While the past 6 years have not been easy on their family or friends, Patrick and Liz have recognized and come to appreciate the many gifts aphasia has given them all.

Financial Disclosures:

• Financial compensation from ASHA for this session

Nonfinancial Disclosures:

• None

Lisa Tolefree was born and raised on the South Side of Chicago. Lisa has two children and one granddaughter. She received both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree from DePaul University and graduated from Washington University School of Law in St. Louis, Missouri. She worked in higher education for over 22 years. Lisa had a stroke in June 2020. As a result of her stroke, Lisa has aphasia. Lisa actively works on her recovery in outpatient speech treatment at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, and she participates in Shirley Ryan AbilityLab Aphasia Community Groups (including book club, film group, and conversation group). Lisa is a Peer Mentor at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, meeting with new stroke survivors. Lisa volunteers at Fourth Presbyterian Church, feeding the homeless and food insecure. Lisa is involved in social justice and advocates for victims of crimes. As a hobby, Lisa has developed a love for backgammon and is currently learning how to play chess. Both games allow her to think strategically. Lisa continues to have aphasia, which may not be apparent to others. Living with aphasia has changed the trajectory of Lisa’s life. Sandra Brassfield is Lisa's aunt. Sandra has been instrumental in Lisa’s recovery. Sandra has three daughters and four grandchildren. Sandra is a retired school administrator from Chicago Public Schools Lincoln Park High. She is a Licensed Ordained Minister who does evangelistic work in the community. She is head of the Intercessors at New Zion Baptist Church.

Financial Disclosures:

• Financial compensation from ASHA for this session

Nonfinancial Disclosures:

• None

Lauren Wineburgh, MA, CCC-SLP (she/her/hers) has worked at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab since 2010 and has spent the majority of her career in the DayRehab setting. Lauren is currently a supervisor and clinical team lead at the Streeterville location. In addition to working with patients with acquired neurological deficits and their loved ones, Lauren has mentored countless team members and graduate students. Lauren has also worked with the team at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab’s Intensive Aphasia Program and developed a webinar for the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab Academy. Lauren is an adjunct lecturer at Northwestern University’s School of Communication and has been a facilitator for Emerson College’s aphasia course.

Financial Disclosures:

• None

Nonfinancial Disclosures:

• None