Serving on the PSHA Executive Board since 2019 has been an honor. Serving on the board gave me insight into the issues clinicians face in various settings across the state and made me passionate about raising awareness of the vital work that state associations do to advocate for our scope of practice and the individuals we serve. As president, I will continue to build on the work of my predecessors to ensure that PSHA remains a strong state association.
My goals as president are to work alongside the executive board to:
1.Increase membership and increase opportunities for members to collaborate with the association and one another; 2. Utilize our expert committees to expand advocacy efforts to ensure we meet our members’ needs; 3. Expand and centralize resources provided to members to better serve our clients across the Commonwealth; 4. Provide innovative, high-quality continuing education and leadership opportunities; and 5. Continue to raise awareness of not only PSHA’s work but also the purpose and efforts of our state associations.
Over the last year, the PSHA executive board and committees have worked diligently on behalf of all clinicians and future clinicians in Pennsylvania through the following:
How You Can Help
PSHA continues to feel the financial effects of the pandemic, and we have had to rely on our reserves to offset our monetary losses. Last year we initiated the Capital Campaign and are incredibly grateful to those who donated. In addition to continuing the Capital Campaign, we began seeking unique funding opportunities. Furthermore, to remain a strong state association and be heard, we need you! Below are some ways you can help sustain the organization:
Get Involved! Members have opportunities to share their expertise. We have opportunities to write for the Keystater publication and serve on member-driven committees (Convention Planning, Government Relations, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, Schools, Telepractice/Healthcare). Even simple actions such as engaging with and sharing our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram posts expand our reach.
Shop our PSHA merchandise store. It is a great way to show your support and raise awareness of the organization. Plus, you will be ready for the April convention!
Tell a Friend! Help increase PSHA’s membership by encouraging your friends and colleagues to join.
Tell Your Students! Faculty, did you know students can join at a lower rate and are eligible to receive the student member rate for our events? Student members may serve on our committees and are eligible to serve as the PSHA student representative. We strive to involve students in our advocacy efforts as our future clinicians must have the skills to enact change. Also, we have a discounted rate for recent graduates who completed their program within the last year.
Attend and Present at our Annual Convention! Stay tuned for more information about our Annual Convention in Pittsburgh, featuring a new Andy Warhol theme, vibrant student track, and highlighted speakers. Our convention committee is working hard to ensure all your continuing education needs are met (supervision, ethics, DEI) through original topics.
We also know our members are doing remarkable things for our field and want to hear about it! Tell us about your research findings, innovative service delivery models, successful advocacy efforts, and interprofessional collaborations! Check the call for submissions which will open in the fall.
Contact Your State Legislators. Get to know your state representatives and state senators and their voting records on issues impacting the professions of speech-language pathology and audiology:https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/findyourlegislator/
Participate in our next Leadership Development Program (LDP). You are the future leaders of PSHA! The LDP provides the skills needed to facilitate change in your work setting and become a leader within your state association.
Finally, I want to thank our executive board, committee members, Craven Management Associates, and our lobbyist from the McNees-Winter Group for their extraordinary efforts in supporting PSHA and our advocacy work. Most importantly, I want to thank all of you for your membership and the vital work you do for our clients, students, and our field.
Have a question or suggestion? Please contact me! Together we can work toward positive change to support our clinicians and future clinicians in Pennsylvania.
Dana Bitetti, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
PSHA President
bitetti@lasalle.edu