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elcome to MSHA's website, the official website of the Massachusetts Speech-Language-Hearing Association. On these pages, we hope that you will be able to find the information you are seeking concerning professional issues, connecting to colleagues and our Association.
This expanded website will provide more information, more resources and more direct links to MSHA's Executive Council. We now have a member's only section with online sign-up and renewal capability, an online member directory and a discussion forum. We have recently added pages for Speech-Language Pathologists in Health Care, and information about the use of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology assistants. We are continuing to add new content each quarter.
If you are a consumer, we hope to provide you with useful information about Speech, Language, Hearing and Swallowing Disorders. You can also look for a qualified Audiologist or Speech-Language Pathologist by using our Public Referral Directory.
If you are a Speech-Language Pathologist, Audiologist or Speech-Language Scientist who is not currently a member, we would like to have you join us. Click on the tab marked Membership for our on-line application. MSHA now offers a rolling membership year, so join at any time, and get a full year membership with all of its benefits.
The Massachusetts Speech-Language-Hearing Association was established
in 1949 to realize the founding philosophy of providing persons in the
fields of human communication disorders with the opportunity to
establish common standards, to exchange information and ideas, and to
act as a strong, unified voice for upgrading the profession within our
state. MSHA is a recognized professional association for audiologists
and speech-language pathologists by the American
Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA.)
MSHA is committed to serving the needs of our colleagues and advocating for the needs of individuals affected by communication and swallowing disorders. We are your voice on Beacon Hill, and your resource for information about legislative issues on the federal level. We represent your interests and your needs across the state and across practice settings. Please consider joining us today.
MSHA Executive Council
VISION STATEMENT
The Massachusetts Speech-Language-Hearing Association (MSHA) will be recognized as an authority and resource in the fields of audiology and speech-language pathology by legislative bodies, related professional associations, and consumers.
MISSION STATEMENT
The Mission of the Massachusetts Speech-Language Hearing Association (MSHA) is to:
- empower and provide professional support for audiologists and speech-language pathologists,
- provide public awareness and opportunities for professional growth,
- advocate for speech-language pathologists and audiologists and the individuals they serve, and
- advance ethical principles and professional standards in the field of communication sciences and disorders.
MSHA NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY
The Association shall not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, religion, age, gender, gender identification, sex, sexual orientation or handicapping condition. All programs will be conducted in accordance with this policy.
MSHA CODE OF ETHICS
PREAMBLE
The preservation of the highest standards of integrity and ethical principles is vital to the successful discharge of the professional responsibilities of all speech-language pathologists and audiologists. The Association has promulgated this Code of Ethics in an effort to stress the fundamental rules considered essential to this basic purpose. Any action that is in violation of the spirit and purpose of this Code shall be considered unethical. Failure to specify any particular responsibility or practice in this Code of Ethics should not be construed as denial of the existence of other responsibilities or practices. The fundamental rules of ethical conduct are described in three categories: Principles of Ethics, Ethical Proscriptions, Matters of Professional Propriety.
- Principles of Ethics. Six principles serve as a basis for the ethical evaluation of professional conduct and form the underlying moral basis for the Code of Ethics. Individuals1 subscribing to this Code shall observe these principles as affirmative obligations under all conditions of professional activity.
- Ethical Proscriptions. Ethical Proscriptions are formal statements of prohibitions that are derived from the Principles of Ethics.
- Matters of Professional Propriety. Matters of Professional Propriety represent guidelines of conduct designed to promote the public interest and thereby better inform the public and particularly the persons in need of speech-language pathology and audiology services as to the availability and the rules regarding the delivery of those services.
To view the complete MSHA Code of Ethics click here
2010 ACCOMPLISHMENTS
- Reached membership goal of 400 members through a variety of measures, such as strategic use of paper applications in addition to online renewal and a Better Hearing and Speech Month membership promotion during the month of May. Thank you to Lisa Primeau, MSHA Vice President of Administration and Planning, and to all members who continue to support their state speech-language-hearing association!
- Sponsored the successful continuing education “Developing Executive Control Skills in Children with Language and Learning Disorders”, held at Boston University. Sincere appreciation goes to MSHA Executive Council Faculty Liaison, Dr. Karole Howland, Clinical Assistant Professor of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences at Boston University, for her generous donation of her expertise and time and also to Meredith Finnie, MSHA Vice President of Education and Planning, for coordinating this event.
- Planned and organized continuing education events for 2011. By the time you read this newsletter MSHA will have completed another successful workshop—“When Life Hands You Lemons—Squirt Back!” Speakers for this event were MSHA Past President John Murphy and his wife, Ann. MSHA extends a special thank you to John for his service to MSHA and donation of his speaking fees for this event. Northeastern University generously provided space for the workshop so MSHA also thanks Helen Anis, Associate Clinical Specialist, at Northeastern University for her assistance with coordination of this event.
- Planned and organized a second continuing education event for 2011--“Reading With TLC”, co- sponsored by MSHA and the Massachusetts Branch of the International Dyslexia Association (MABIDA). This event will be held April 7 and 8, 2011 at the Conference Center at Massasoit in Brockton. Developer and co-owner of “Reading with TLC”, Nancy Telian, celebrates her 20th year working with the Lively Letters and has been instrumental in coordinating this special event. Please log onto her website at www.readingwithtlc.com to register at discounted rates. MSHA is very grateful to both Nancy and Dr. Pamela Hook, MGH Institute of Health Professions and MABIDA President, for their collaborative effort to bring these two organizations together to present this relevant workshop. Hope to see you there!
- Sponsored a well-attended student event at Boston University. Thank you to Executive Council members Lisa Primeau and Meredith Finnie for organizing this free annual event to assist students entering the workforce and to promote involvement in MSHA.
- Monitored Greene Bill—a bill that has been proposed several times to allow anyone who had been practicing speech-language pathology or audiology in Massachusetts before 1983 to apply
for a license. No activity was noted on this bill during 2010 and the bill died as the legislative session ended. MSHA continues to monitor bills introduced in the Commonwealth that are relevant to speech-language pathologists and audiologists.
- Notified members about changes in working regulations for Clinical Fellows.
- Provided MSHA testimony on the Autism Mandate, Chapter 207 of the Acts of 2010. Thank you to MSHA Advocacy Lead, Nanette Cote and MSHA Past Presidents Suzanne Ducharme and Mary
Ellen Curran for their contributions to this effort.
- Updated financial accounts to make record keeping easier and more accurate.
- Published three editions of the VOICE newsletters. Thank you to all contributors and especially to Nancy Telian, VOICE editor, who steps down from that role after this edition of the VOICE. Search the newsletter archives on this site for past issues of the VOICE in case you missed them.
- Served as provider of ASHA CEU’s through cooperative offerings with organizations such as The New England Asperger’s Association, Monson Developmental Center, Green House Group, Southeastern Massachusetts Educational Collaborative, Communication Therapy Center, and Ampcare, LLC. MSHA Continuing Education Administrator, Maureen (Rene) Dearborn, coordinates these cooperative offerings, which provide income to MSHA, and also oversees ASHA CEU’s for MSHA-sponsored workshops.
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