Awards

PSHA Awards Nomination deadline has been extended to March 8, 2024.

Recognition of the accomplishments and dedication of our peers is highly valued by the Association. PSHA honors both members and non-members for their outstanding achievements and service to the fields of Speech-Language Pathology, Audiology, and Teachers of the Hearing Impaired. Bestowing an award or honor upon our colleagues  affirms the significant contributions they have made to our profession.

Nominations for awards are to be submitted by February 15 to the current VP for Membership and Ethical Practices. Nominations for these awards are reviewed by the PSHA Honors Committee that is comprised of the immediate Past President and three other approved members of the Executive Board. Final decisions for all awards are made by a vote of the PSHA Executive Board.

The following honors and awards are given to outstanding colleagues within our profession:

  • Amy S. Goldman Advocacy Award
  • PSHA Distinguished Service Award
  • Honors of the Association
  • Clinical Achievement Awards (by ASHF through PSHA)
  • Appreciation of Service Award
  • Rising Star Award

Amy S. Goldman Advocacy Award

Purpose: This newly established annual award supports advocacy at all levels – local, state, national and in the areas of clinical, administrative, community or legislative advocacy. It is open to students and professionals, both as individuals or in groups, and may be used to request funds to support a planned advocacy initiative or may be used to acknowledge prior successful advocacy efforts. Importantly, it will recognize advocacy that either has resulted or is expected to result in sustainable change.

Who is Amy S. Goldman? Amy is a long-time PSHA member, executive board member, and current chair (2021) of the Pennsylvania Board of Examiners in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology. The name “Amy S. Goldman” is synonymous with advocacy and through her generosity the Amy S. Goldman Advocacy Award could be established. This award recognizes and honors her ongoing commitment to advocacy at all levels and her tireless volunteerism and advocacy on behalf of all individuals with speech, language, hearing and swallowing disorders.

Who can apply? This award is open to PSHA members only. Students (individuals or groups) or professionals (individuals or groups) may apply. Students must provide with their application packet some documentation of their student status (e.g. copy of current ID, attestation from faculty on letterhead; transcripts are not necessary).

Award Categories: Retrospective/achieved advocacy events/efforts (no monetary award) and Prospective/planned advocacy events/efforts (up to a $250 award). Retrospective applications must include evidence of outcomes of sustainable change. Prospective applications must include a budget (line item as well as explanation of each item) and the narrative must provide expectation of sustainable change.

Criteria: Applications will be evaluated by the Awards Committee in consultation with Amy Goldman. Criteria will include outcomes (planned or achieved) that will lead to:

  • policy changes
  • procedural changes, and/or
  • increased access for people with speech, language and/or hearing or swallowing disorders.

Applications must have an appropriate focus and not resemble general marketing events.

Depending upon the number and categories of applications, more than one award may be given each year.

What are some sample activities? Advocacy takes many forms. It is NOT marketing and it is NOT general communication to the public about the profession.

Some examples of advocacy are (but not limited to):

  • giving testimony at a town council about a public need related to communication access,
  • participating in a hearing about funding issues for a client who needs AAC support,
  • participating in formal discussions leading to changes in workload in school districts,
  • obtaining funding for a resident-oriented project in a health care setting

Please note that these examples are all very specific activities addressing an identified need, not a general marketing or community awareness activity.

How do I apply? Complete online application. Both categories require an essay of 500-1000 words describing the activity and how it fits the award criteria. The narrative should also include a plan to disseminate information about how the applicant set about achieving the desired outcome, e.g. article in the Keystater; poster session at ASHA or PSHA; blog.

For retrospective awards, there must also be evidence of:

  • established goals
  • successful outcome of sustainable change

For prospective awards, the narrative must include

  • budget (form linked on website)
  • defined objectives that will lead to sustainable change

Deadline: The deadline to apply is February 15. Awards will be presented at the annual convention.

PSHA Distinguished Service Award

This award recognizes significant contributions to the field of speech-language pathology, audiology, and education of the hearing impaired by persons or organizations who are not members of the Pennsylvania Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Nominations for the award should be made to the VP for Membership and Ethical Practices.

Nomination materials must include:

  1. a nomination letter including the name and address of the nominee; the name and address and telephone number of the person making the nomination, and a written justification for the nomination
  2. a vita for the nominee
  3. three email/phone statements

The PSHA Honors Committee will recommend recipients by a three-fourths vote to the Executive Board that must also approve the proposed recipient by a three-fourths vote. This recognition will be awarded during the annual PSHA Convention. This award may not be presented every year, but rather as worthy recipients are presented and approved.

Honors of the Association

This award is presented to individuals who have held continuous professional membership in the Pennsylvania Speech-Language-Hearing Associate for the ten years immediately prior to the nomination. They must have provided service to the association and made /sustained outstanding contribution in a least two of the following areas:

  1. Research and publications that contributes knowledge needed by the profession
  2. Teaching, including professional training, pre-service instruction, continuing education, in servicing, and convention and conference presentations in communication science and disorders or related areas
  3. Administrative services in the area of communication science and disorders
  4. Clinical service including classroom instruction for the hearing impaired
  5. Service to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Council of Education of the Deaf or other professional, national, state, regional, or local organizations.

Nominations for this award must come from a member or members of the Pennsylvania Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Members of the PSHA Executive Board cannot nominate for this award. Nominations for the recognition should be made to the VP for Membership and Ethical Practices by February 15.

Nomination materials must include:

  1. a nomination letter including the name and address of the nominee: the name, address and telephone number of the person making the nomination; and a written justification for the nomination
  2. a vita for the nominee
  3. three email/phone statements of support for the nominee

The award will be presented at the annual PSHA Convention. It need not be presented annually but only as a worthy person or persons are selected. Nominations must be approved by the PSHA Honors Committee by a three-fourths vote before being submitted to the PSHA Executive Board for final approval by three-fourths vote.

Clinical Achievement Awards (by ASHF through PSHA)

These awards, currently consisting of an honors certificate, are presented in recognition of individuals nominated by their state speech and hearing associations for outstanding contributions in advancing clinical knowledge or practice in speech-language pathology and audiology. The award is made by the American Speech-Language Foundation (ASHF). Nominees must be members of the PSHA and ASHA.

DICARLO AWARD – The DiCarlo awardee is selected by the ASHF Board from the persons nominated by state associations for the Clinical Achievement Awards. The DiCarlo Award is presented in recognition of outstanding recent contributions to the advancement of clinical practices. The award includes a cash prize and a certificate.

Nominations for the recognition must be made to the VP for Membership and Ethical Practices by February 15. Nomination materials must include:

  1. a nomination letter including the name and address of the nominee; the name, and address and telephone number of the person making the nomination; and a written justification for the nomination
  2. a vita for the nominee
  3. three email/phone statements of support for the nominee

The award will also be announced at the annual PSHA Convention. It need not be presented annually but only as a worthy person or persons are selected. Nominations will be submitted to the PSHA Honors Committee must be approved by three-fourths vote before being submitted to the PSHA Executive Board for final approval by three-fourths vote.

Appreciation of Service Award

Appreciation of Service Awards, plaques and/or certificates shall be given to persons who have provided worthy service to PSHA as:

  • Officers of the Association
  • Convention Chairs for Program and Local Arrangements
  • or in other roles supportive of the goals and activities of the association

Nominations for these recognitions must be made to the VP for Membership and Ethical Practices by February 15. Nomination materials must include:

  1. a nomination letter including the name and address of the nominee
  2. the name, address, and telephone number of the person making the nomination
  3. a written justification for the nomination

The PSHA Honors Committee will determine by three-fourths vote persons to receive Appreciation of Service awards. These persons must then be approved to receive this recognition by three-fourths vote of the Executive Board. This award will be presented at the annual PSHA Convention.

PSHA Rising Star Award

This award is presented to a qualified PSHA member who is currently practicing speech-language pathology, audiology, or education of the hearing impaired within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and who meets the nominee guidelines stipulated below.

Nominee Guidelines

  • The nominee shall be fully licensed in speech-language pathology, audiology, or education of the hearing impaired within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
  • The nominee shall be a member of PSHA.
  • The nominee shall have 1-5 years of relevant experience post-clinical fellowship.
  • The nominee shall have demonstrated the ability to advance the profession through clinical, research, and/or other professional endeavors.

Application Guidelines

  1. Submit an application cover letter providing a description of how the Nominee Guidelines listed above are met.  Include any appendices to support candidacy for the award.
  2. Submit a current CV/resume.
  3. Submit 3 letters of recommendation from individuals who can provide support of the nominee’s contributions to the fields of speech-language pathology, audiology, or education of the hearing impaired.

Selection Process

The award will be presented at the annual PSHA Convention. It need not be presented annually but only as a worthy person or persons are selected. Nominations must be submitted to the VP for Membership and Ethical Practices by February 15.  The PSHA Honors Committee must approve the nominee by a three-fourths vote before submission to the PSHA Executive Board for final approval by three‐fourths vote.

A $350 monetary award and complimentary convention registration will be awarded to the recipient of this award.

Celebrate Outstanding Contributions in Preschool-Grade 12 Education Settings!

Nominate a colleague for the ASHA School Award!!

Where to start?

  • Think of people who are not already ASHA Fellows or ASHA Board of Directors (BOD)
  • Think of people getting awards at the state level, SEALS, or others in your state
  • Think of SLPs, SLP administrators, preschool SLPs, school audiologists
    • Please remember Dept. of Education employees cannot be nominated for this award

Next step:

If you need assistance with the process or have any questions, please contact:

Marty Moore (mamoore@asha.org)