(Rockville, MD - January 6, 2016) - Jaynee A. Handelsman, PhD, CCC-A, director of pediatric audiology in the C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital and a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery in the University of Michigan Health System, began her term as president of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) on January 1.
Dr. Handelsman’s primary clinical, teaching, and research areas of focus include the assessment and management of patients with dizziness and balance disorders as well as the impact of potentially ototoxic medications on auditory and vestibular system function. She is also involved in the identification and management of hearing loss and vestibular function loss in infants and young children as well as in professional ethics and conflicts of interest.
“I am honored to serve as the 2016 president of ASHA and look forward to a productive year advancing the professional interests of our member audiologists and speech-language pathologists,” said Dr. Handelsman. “With dramatic changes occurring in both health care and education, the skills and expertise of our 182,000 members and affiliates are more valuable than ever. Among my priorities are promoting greater recognition of the essential role of the professions—and encouraging all members to tap into their leadership potential as these changes occur.”
Dr. Handelsman is an ASHA Fellow. A longtime ASHA volunteer, her previous roles in the association include serving as the audiology co-chair for the 2014 ASHA Convention, serving on the Board of Directors as the vice president for professional practice in audiology (2010–2012), and being a member of the Board of Ethics, the Council for Clinical Certification in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (chair in 2009), and the Professional Services Board.
Additionally, Dr. Handelsman served as a site visitor for the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology, was a member of the Preferred Practice Patterns for Audiology Workgroup, and was an Audiology Subject Matter Expert (SME) Panel member. She was a Steering Committee member for Special Interest Group 6, Hearing and Hearing Disorders: Research and Diagnostics, and is currently a member of the Scientific and Professional Education Board.
Dr. Handelsman received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan and her master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Kansas.
About the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
ASHA is the national professional, scientific, and credentialing association for 182,000 members and affiliates who are audiologists; speech-language pathologists; speech, language, and hearing scientists; audiology and speech-language pathology support personnel; and students. Audiologists specialize in preventing and assessing hearing and balance disorders as well as providing audiologic treatment, including hearing aids. Speech-language pathologists identify, assess, and treat speech and language problems, including swallowing disorders. www.asha.org/
