2025 AVASLP National Conference

April 9-11, 2025
Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza

35 West Fifth Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202

Conference Abstract: This course focuses on a variety of topics related to the practice of speech-language pathology within Veterans Health Administration and Defense Health Agency medical settings. Topics include assessment and treatment of acquired speech and language disorders, traumatic brain injury, dysphagia, voice disorders and laryngectomy, progressive neurological disease, and the use of assistive technology in persons with cognitive and communication impairments.

Overall Program Objective: At the conclusion of this program, participants will be able to describe and apply the most recent advances in the assessment and treatment of Veterans and Active-Duty Service Members with disorders of communication, cognitive and swallowing.

Target Audience: Speech Language Pathologists from the Department of Veterans Affairs and Defense Health Agengy

Registration Rates: 
AVASLP active members: $150
Non-members of AVASLP: $350
Student/Clinical Fellow: $100

Hotel Information: Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza, 35 West Fifth Street, Cincinnati, OH, 45202
Reservations must be made by 3/9/2025 to receive the government rate.
https://group.hilton.com/8i5rv5

Continuing Education Credit: Pending ASHA approval

Attendee Billing Procedure: If VHA Employees would like to submit an SF-182 form, please list CHEP as the Vendor 
    CHEP, Inc.
    P.O. Box 229
    Perryville, MD 21903

Conference Draft Agenda: Schedule subject to revision


Wednesday, April 9, 2025

Time Session Presenter(s)
7:00 AM - 7:30 AM Conference Registration and Vendors Posters (Viewing Only)  
7:30 AM - 8:00 AM Opening Remarks/Presentation of Colors/Announcements Lindsey Occhipinti
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM Keynote Speaker Dr. Kathy Platoni
9:00 AM - 9:45 AM Behavioral Interventions for Dysphagia in Patients Living with Dementia: Overview and Case Studies Joanne Yee
Dr. Nicole Rogus-Pulia
9:45 AM - 10:15 AM Break and Vendors  
10:15 AM - 11:15 AM Exploring Speech Pathology Care with HBPC Through Case Studies Meredith Grant Kinne
11:15 AM - 12:15 PM A Strategic Framework for Implementation of Value Based Dysphagia Care Dr. Emily Plowman
12:15 PM - 1:15 PM Lunch and Vendors  
1:15 PM - 2:15 PM Deep Dive into Laryngeal Cancer: Did the Pendulum Swing? Christina Shipp
Elizabeth Farmer
Lauren Ottenstein
Dr. Merry Sebelik
2:15 PM - 3:15 PM Introduction to Artificial Intelligence in Speech Language Pathology Emily McCrone
3:15 PM - 3:45 PM Break and Vendors  
3:45 PM - 4:45 PM Cultivating the Future of Speech-Language Pathology: Helping Budding Clinicians Get Growing Joanne Yee
Jill Zielinski
4:45 PM - 5:45 PM National ALS ORH Comprehensive Care: Framework of Current Evidence Based Practices Dr Annette "Nicole" Askren
Sarah Kiefer-Luhring
Nan Musson
Joanne Yee
  Adjourn  


Thursday, April 10, 2025

Time Session Presenter(s)
7:00 AM - 8:00 AM Vendors and Posters (Viewing Only)  
8:00 AM - 8:15 AM Conference Announcements Lindsey Occhipinti
8:15 AM - 9:15 AM Ethics and Person-Centered Rehabilitation Dr. Michael Biel
19:15 AM - 10:15 AM Improving Proactive Head and Neck Cancer Care through the VA Intensive Dysphagia Treatment Program Joanne Yee
Dr. Kathy Welden
Emily Bible-Ramsey
Alexa Rogers
10:15 AM - 10:45 AM Break and Vendors  
10:45 AM - 11:30 AM Breakouts:  
  Track 1: COGNITION/TECH: Cognitions & The Media Myth: Are Smart Devices Helping or Hurting Our Outcomes? Sonia Mehta
Dr. Karen Le
  Track 2: AAC: Assistive Technologies to Support Life Participation in People with Aphasia Logan Cates
  Track 3: ADMIN: Clinic Improvements: Using Data Principles to Gain Leadership Support Robin Ledford
  Track 4: ADMIN: From SLP to MHA: An SLP's Journey from Clinical Practice to Hospital Administration Rebecca Kizlinski
12:20 PM - 1:30 PM Lunch and Vendors  
1:30 PM - 3:00 PM Supporting Motivation During Treatment Using Self-Determination Theory Dr. Michael Biel
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM Updates in Clinical Practice Recommendations for Care of Veterans with Tracheostomy Kimberly Eichhorn
Ronda Winans-Mitrik
4:00 PM - 4:30 PM Break and Vendors  
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM National VA Intensice Dysphagia Treatment Program at Cincinnati VAMC: How We Do It and Lessons Learned Dr. Kathy Welden
Sarah Kiefer-Luhring
Meredith Grant Kinne
Bayley Kralik
Joanne Yee
Dr. Nicole Rogus-Pulia
5:30 PM - 7:00 PM

POSTERS SESSION:
TITLES:

IDDSI Implication at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center: A circuitous path to success

PRESENTERS:
Kimberly Rossmand
Ann NothwehrDr. Nancy Solomon

 
Reducing % of patients in Speech Therapy who are not served in their preferred language
 

Cara Kovarik
Isayra Sanchez-Amaro
  Functional Language Maintenance Plan Outcome Measures in Dementia Jessica Hatterman
 

Role of Speech-language pathologist in memory screening for patients over the age of 65

Rachel Casticone
 

FEES within HBPC in VAWNY

Christina Scott
 

Efficacy of Semantic Priming to Improve Comprehension and Expressions of Sentences (SPICES), a Novel Telehealth Treatment Approach

Julia Park
  An Open-label Feasibility and Acceptability Pilot of Hypnosis and Mindfulness Meditation for Cancer Pain in Veterans Kyle Mamiya
  Adjorn  


Friday, April 11, 2025

Time

Session

Presenter(s)
7:00 AM - 8:00 AM Vendors and Posters (Viewing Only)  
8:00 AM - 8:15 AM Announcements Linsey Occhipinti
8:15 AM - 9:15 AM Gender Affirming Voice Care for Veterans: Outcomes from National Virtual Clinical Improvement Project Kimberly Eichhorn
Aubrey White
Rachel Agron
Lindsey O'Shea
Natalie Unger
Nan Musson
9:15 AM - 10:00 AM

Clinicians Stories: How Our Personal Histories Inform and Strengthen our Care For Veterans

Sonia Mehta
Kimberly Eichhorn
Nan Musson
10:00 AM - 10:30 AM Break and Vendors  
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM Treating the Unseen: Using A Symptom-Based Approach with the AHI Population Shannon Auxier
Maia Magder
Dr. Katherin Sullivan
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM Training Tomorrow's Leaders: A Perspective on a Speech Team Approach in Head and Neck Cancer Populations Cassandra White
Caroline Johnson
Samantha Frederick
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Lunch: AVASLP Business Meeting & Awards AVASLP Executive Board Members
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
  • VHA Speect Pathology Program Office/Field Advisory Council Updates
  • DHA Speech Pathology Field Advisory Council Breakout
  • Nan Musson

    Dr. Christine
    Matthews
  • R. Kevin Manning

    Melissa Covington
3:00 PM - 4:15 PM Feeding or Breathing? The Debate OVer Feeding on Noninvasive Respiratory Support in the NICU Melissa Covington
4:15 PM - 4:45 PM CEU Paperwork
AVASLP Appreciation Announcements
Conference Adjourned
Raquel Ramos
Meredith Grant Kinne
Lindsey Occhipinti

**Please note that these times are tentative and may change.

Questions:
Any questions about registration or payment please contact:
Staci Smith | ssmith@chepinc.org | 667-454-0339

Any questions about conference or schedule please contact:
Meredith Grant Kinne| Meredith.GrantKinne@va.gov | 513-607-3902

Cancelations & Refund Policy: Available up to 30 days prior to conference, less processing fee. No refunds after 30 days. 

2025 AVASLP National Conference Attendees

Register Now

  • Wednesday Apr 09 2025, 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM
    Thursday Apr 10 2025, 7:30 AM - 6:30 PM
    Friday Apr 11 2025, 8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
  • Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza
    35 West Fifth Street
    Cincinnati, Ohio
    United States
    45202