Executive Council

MSHA's Executive Council is made up of members from a variety of geographic areas and practice settings; the Council includes both young and seasoned professionals. These individuals have all volunteered their time to serve the Association and all Speech-Language Pathologists, Audiologists and speech and hearing scientists in Massachusetts. Below you will find a brief biography for each member of the Council. If you wish to contact any of the committee chairs or officers, please go to the Contact Us tab on the left side of your screen. There you will find a contact form and direct links to MSHA e-mail addresses. If you would like to be considered for an open position on the Board, please contact the MSHA President.

MSHA President Elect: OPEN

MSHA President: OPEN

MSHA Past President: OPEN

Treasurer & Secretary: Martha H. Testa, PhD, CCC/SLP
Education: BSEd State University of New York at Fredonia 1975
MA University of Tennessee 1976
PhD Northeastern University 1994
Current Employment: Hanson Middle School--Speech-Language Pathologist
MSHA Service History:
Continuing Education Co-Chair 2002-2004
Treasurer 2004-2005, 2009

Vice President of Advocacy: Kristin Keegan, M.S. CCC/SLP
Education: BS in Communication Disorders Emerson College 1992
MS Speech Pathology Emerson College 1993
Current Employment: Winchester Public Schools – speech-language pathologist
MSHA Service History:
SAC member 2001-present
GAC co-chair 2002-2005 ASHA State education advocacy liaison (SEAL) 2009
V.P. of Program Development 2009

Vice-President of Administration and Planning: Lisa Primeau M.S. CCC/SLP
Education: BS Ithaca College 2003
MS Ithaca College 2005
Current Employment: Genesis Rehab Services @ Hunt Nursing and Retirement Home Evaluation and treatment of speech, language and swallowing disorders. Training staff and caregiver on disorders, plan of care and functional maintenance plans.
MSHA Service History:
Co-Chair Membership 2007-2009

Vice President Clinical Practice: Denise Walsh, M.S. Ed, M.S., CCC/SLP
Education: Master of Science-Education, University of New England
Master of Science, Speech-Language Pathology, Worcester State College Current Employment: Somerville Public Schools at the Michael Capuano Early Childhood Center, PK-K Speech-Language Pathologist

Vice President Education and Planning: Meredith Finnie, M.S., CCC/SLP
Education: B.S.(2001) Abilene Christian University
M.S. (2003) Abilene Christian University
Current Employment: (2003- Present) EBS Healthcare; New England Regional Supervisor/SLP
MSHA Service History:
School Affairs Co-Chair 2009

Vice President Communication: Open

Audiology Liaison: Dr. Deborah Dempesy, Aud.
Current Employment: All Ears Hearing Center

CE Administrator: Maureen (Rene) Dearborn, M.A.
Education: B.A. U. Mass Speech Pathology
Asha Certification MA AIC Educational Psycology with emphais in learning disabilities
Current Employment: Retired

Faculty Liaison (Primary): Ruth Margulies-Hochman, M.S., CCC/SLP
Education: M.S. Emerson College
Current Employment: Clinical Teaching Faculty Coordinator, Undergraduate Program Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology

Faculty Liaison (Alternate): Kerry Howland, Ph.D., CCC/SLP
Education: B.A. U Mass, Special Education
MS Emerson College, Speech Language Pathology
Ph.D BU School of Medicine, Behavioral Neurosciences

GAC Lead: Nanette A. Cote, M.A., CCC/SLP
Education: Northern Illinois University
Current Employment: Private speech therapist and fee for service therapist in early intervention

Newsletter Editor -The VOICE: Nancy Telian, M.S., CCC/SLP
Education: B.A. University of Connecticut
M.S. Boston University
Current Employment: President & Co-director of Reading with TLC

SEAL: Sharon A. Parisi, M.A. CCC/SLP
Education: Master of Arts, Hofstra University 1977
CAGS in Reading, Bridgewater State College 2004
Current Employment: Braintree Public Schools – Preschool Speech-Language Pathologist
MSHA Service History:
School Affairs Chairperson 1996-2002
President Elect 2002-2004
President 2004-2006
VP Administration & Planning 1999

STAR: Sharon Frank, M.A., CCC/SLP
Current Employment: Speech and Voice Therapy Center, LLC

STAR: Edith Trafford, M.S. CCC/SLP
Current Employment: Trafford SLLS, Inc.

Student Liaison (Primary): Maria Farris

Student Liaison (Alternate): Lauren Scheiper
Education: U Mass Amherst
MGH Institute of Health Professions (anticipated 2011)

Webmaster: Open

Advocacy Lead: Open

Conference Planning Chair: Open