By: Gina Glover, MS, CCC-SLP, Honors and Awards Chair

At the recent Texas Speech-Language-Hearing Association (TSHA) Convention, the 2024 Honors and Awards recipients were celebrated at the Texas Speech- Language-Hearing Foundation (TSHF) annual breakfast event. This year’s recipients are an outstanding group of individuals who have volunteered their time and efforts to help TSHA, members of our professions, and the clients and families we serve. This year, four outstanding individuals were honored, and a new award was given out for the very first time!

TSHA Executive Council Member of the Year: Carmen McElfresh, MA, CCC-SLP
As co-chair of the CE Approval Committee, Carmen has been working with the TSHA State Office for more than a year to streamline the procedures to review and approve CE requests. She brought expertise merged with her experience as a TSHA CE reviewer to create clearer forms and processes. She helped establish new onboarding procedures and training for TSHA reviewers with the State Office. These procedures have enabled committee members to receive consistent training, which in turn has improved not only the committee’s efficiency but has helped to ensure better continuity across reviewers. Carmen consistently fulfills her responsibilities with timeliness and grace and demonstrates persistence and perseverance in problem-solving solutions. She provided valuable expertise that kept the machine of TSHA’s education branch operating smoothly through multiple periods of transition. Carmen is a congenial, caring person who has given a tremendous amount of time to ensuring that TSHA maintains the highest standards of excellence.

TSHA Award of Honors: Brittany Hall, PhD, CCC-SLP, LSLS Cert. AVT
Brittany more than meets the requirements of significant contributions to TSHA, outstanding leadership, and exemplary professional excellence expected of recipients of the Award of Honors. Due to the global pandemic, Brittany, who served as the Vice President of Educational and Scientific Affairs, was tasked with pivoting an in-person Convention to be virtual for the first time in TSHA history. Her excellence as a leader was on display as Convention moved to a virtual-only option. Brittany’s innovation and can-do attitude made a feat deemed impossible not only possible but a successful Convention. She has modeled how a compassionate and driven leader undertakes large and complex roles in a calm, organized and efficient manner. Brittany is supportive, fun-spirited, encouraging, and always willing to collaborate with her team. She has served in volunteer and professional roles that are both intensive in time and work. Despite all that is thrown her way, Brittany used her resources and guided those serving under her to meet and exceed expectations.

 

TSHA Award of Honors: Michelle Mendietta, MS, CCC-SLP
Michelle was elected in 2019 as the first Hispanic woman to be president of TSHA in more than 30 years. Her goal at that time was to develop leaders in the association while focusing on diversity, equity, and inclusion. The COVID-19 pandemic began almost immediately as Michelle assumed the role of president of the Association. That was an unprecedented time, as the Association was significantly impacted by the pandemic, which required above and beyond leadership as our membership numbers declined, Convention was moved to a virtual platform, and attendance decreased. Michelle never faltered in guiding the Association during this critical period. Her mantras became “Challenges are what make life interesting, and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful,” and “Everyone goes through adversity in life, but what matters is how you learn from it.” She remained aware of the needs of the professions and led the Association in its efforts to effect a temporary licensure rule change to allow the use of teletherapy by Assistant SLPs and Clinical Fellows, which eventually led to a permanent rule change. During all of this, Michelle continued to act with grace, calmness, and professionalism and to mentor and provide guidance to all those with whom she worked. Michelle exemplifies the characteristics of a true leader, and TSHA was fortunate to have her lead the Association.

TSHA Hall of Fame Award: Lynn Flahive, MS, CCC-SLP
Lynn is the epitome of a professional who has demonstrated “exemplary commitment and contributions in serving those with communication disorders, advancement of knowledge, and the provision of exemplary services through teaching and supervision.” Her entire professional life (more than 40 years) as a speech-language pathologist has been dedicated to improving the quality of life of the patients she has diagnosed and treated, working with families to support patient needs, educating students and consumers regarding speech-language development and disorders, and advocating for various aspects of the professions. She served as TSHA Vice President for Education and Scientific Affairs from 1997 to 1999, was the Executive Director of the National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association, and served on the TSHA Financial Advisory Committee for 11 years. She also has been a contributing member of ASHA as well as of many other associations and councils. She was elected president of the TSHA in 2003-2005, was elected to the ASHA Legislative Council, and has been honored with many awards that are too numerous to list here. Lynn worked in the public schools for 13 years prior to the 31 years she has worked at Texas Christian University. The benefits of Lynn’s mentoring have impacted the lives not only of those persons she has mentored but also of our professional community, particularly in the state of Texas. Past students and early professionals became future committee chairs, vice presidents, and presidents. Lynn is known by all as the get-it-done person. She is masterful at organizing and delivering events, projects, and team outcomes in efficient and effective ways. As her resume demonstrates, Lynn’s history of leadership in TSHA and ASHA is extensive. What is not demonstrated in her resume is the energy, enthusiasm, and effectiveness of this leadership.
 

In addition to acknowledging the accomplishments and work of these well-deserving honorees, Honors and Awards Committee Chair Gina Glover would like to mention the work of committee members Erin Bellue, Margarita Limón-Ordoñez, and Martha McGlothlin. The work of this committee has truly been a team effort.