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Our Mission

NJSHA empowers audiologists, speech-language pathologists, speech, language and hearing scientists and future professionals by providing resources and support to its members and those they serve through:

  • Professional Development/Continuing Education;
  • Advocacy;
  • Public awareness; and
  • Networking and mentoring.

Member Spotlight: Meet Theresa Tawil

Theresa Tawil

Member Since

2020

Introduction

Theresa is a medically based speech-language pathologist (SLP) who has worked in a pediatric outpatient department since August 2021. She provides assessment and treatment to patients with a range of medical diagnoses and speech-language communication disorders. In October 2023, Theresa was awarded the first overall, hospital-wide award for embodying compassion, clinical excellence, interdisciplinary collaboration and promotion of patient/colleague engagement.

Theresa earned her master’s and undergraduate degrees from Montclair State University.

As a graduate student, she was an active member of NSSLHA and served as the president of the Montclair State Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association (MSSHLA). Theresa also participated in many NJSHA student-run activities at Montclair State University.

Like many NJSHA members, Theresa first learned about NJSHA while attending graduate school. She was interested in finding additional resources to supplement what she was learning in her graduate school program and became a member in 2020. Theresa discovered that NJSHA offered many student-centered educational seminars and networking opportunities. She realized the benefits of belonging to an association that promotes and supports her profession. Since joining, Theresa has been an active member of NJSHA’s Membership Committee, which actively collaborates with the Student Involvement Committee to plan virtual events for students and the annual Community Caring Connect (CCC) project which takes place at the Annual Convention.

In her spare time, Theresa enjoys traveling. She has visited London and Paris and plans to travel to Italy and Lebanon. One of her goals as a proud Lebanese American is to become completely fluent in Arabic. She would love to be able to serve her community as a certified bilingual English-Arabic SLP in the future.

Theresa sat down with VOICES to share why she is a member of NJSHA and what excites her about her profession.

What excites you most about your contributions to your profession?
I am very passionate about working with the pediatric population. I currently evaluate and treat pediatric patients with speech-sound disorders, fluency disorders, language difficulties, autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy and various genetic syndromes. I truly enjoy forming meaningful relationships with my patients and their caregivers while I help them find their own voice. Being able to help a child communicate their wants, thoughts and ideas is so fulfilling and their caregivers are always so appreciative of the positive changes I help facilitate. I am constantly motivated by my patients, and I love to help them accomplish their goals.

What professional accomplishment are you most excited about?
Earning my Certificate of Clinical Competence has been my biggest and proudest accomplishment so far. Completing my graduate school program and starting to work at the height of a pandemic brought on very difficult challenges; however, it made it even more rewarding to achieve this goal. I am so thankful for all of my professors and clinical supervisors who played integral roles in getting me to where I am now.

Why did you join NJSHA?
I joined NJSHA as a student because I was interested in finding additional professional resources. It is such a full-circle experience now that I am involved in NJSHA’s Membership Committee and I can present to students as a licensed SLP.

How do you suggest others can get (more) involved in NJSHA?
I would strongly encourage professionals to get involved in NJSHA’s committees. Each committee has something unique to offer; however, all of them provide an invaluable opportunity to collaborate with other professionals and to get involved in community outreach programs.

Who is your “NJSHA Hero” and why?
My NJSHA Hero is, without a doubt, Catherine Curtis. Catherine is an SLP and an active member of NJSHA on the board of directors. She serves as the 2024 Convention Co-Chair and participates on both Membership and Healthcare Committees. Catherine and I first met during my graduate school externship at a pediatric outpatient hospital in 2021. She instantly became a very dear colleague, friend and extraordinary mentor. Catherine consistently exhibits unwavering compassion, leadership and well-rounded clinical expertise. Her dedication to our field transcends across all her work settings and her involvement in NJSHA. I will always be so grateful that Catherine motivated me to join NJSHA’s Membership Committee. Without her, I wouldn’t have been able to make so many meaningful connections, share clinical advice with students and make an impact in our community through the CCC project. I look up to Catherine so much and I hope to follow in her footsteps going forward in my career.

Do you have a greatest “NJSHA moment”? If so, what was it?
My greatest NJSHA moment to date would be the CCC project in 2023. I was fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to co-facilitate this project to support the needs of children in a New Jersey hospital’s pediatric inpatient unit. Oftentimes, patients in the inpatient unit do not have enough clothes or bibs to change into during their stay at the hospital. With the help of Catherine Curtis and the generosity of NJSHA members we were able to collect approximately $500 worth of baby clothes, bibs, hats and socks for patients of various ages. We also created inspirational greeting cards to comfort and encourage caregivers. It was an incredibly rewarding experience to be able to donate these items to the hospital. It also reinforced the fact that I truly can make a difference with the help of NJSHA.

What is the next challenge you would like to undertake, both professionally and with NJSHA? Why?
Professionally, I am looking forward to participating in a mentorship program to grow my clinical skill set in behavioral and sensory-based feeding disorders within the pediatric population. While I currently evaluate and treat patients with speech, language and fluency deficits, many of my current patients also present with feeding difficulties. It is my goal to be able to provide them with comprehensive and holistic care.

I would also love to get involved in NJSHA’s Multicultural Committee. I believe it’s important to promote cultural awareness so that all professionals, students, patients and caregivers are given the same opportunities to reach their fullest potential.

What is something surprising or unexpected you have learned through your work?
I learn something new every day! Our scope of practice is so wide and, as a relatively new clinician, I have discovered that I will always be a learner with room for improvement. When I was in graduate school, I thought I was expected to know everything before working; however, I quickly learned that each interaction with a patient, caregiver and/or professional brings new growth opportunities. I am fortunate enough to work with an incredible team of SLPs that I can lean on for clinical advice. I am also so thankful for the resources I have access to for continuing my education.

Why should professionals join this organization?
NJSHA gives professionals the ability to connect, further their education and advocate for improvements within our fields. Through NJSHA, professionals have the opportunity to collaborate and learn from each other, while also raising awareness about various issues related to speech-language pathology and audiology in New Jersey. I believe it is imperative to be an active member of your professional association and community to truly make a positive impact.

I believe that NJSHA is not only for professionals. Students can truly benefit from being a part of this association. The access to resources and the ability to network with other professionals is so valuable. Being a part of this association can only benefit someone working in the fields of speech-language pathology and audiology.

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NJSHA hosts various networking and professional development opportunities throughout the calendar year. Below are several of our most recent ones. To see future events, please view our calendar.

2023 NJSHA Convention was a HUGE success!

Ocean Place Resort & Spa

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