From the earliest days of my career, I was a proud member of The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). However, it wasn’t until a few years later that I stumbled upon another powerful organization, The American Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation (ASHFoundation). Discovering the ASHFoundation was like finding a hidden gem within my profession, and I quickly realized its equally important, yet distinct, role and mission.
Much like ASHA, the ASHFoundation is dedicated to supporting the patients, clients, and students that audiologists, speech-language pathologists, and speech-language-hearing scientists serve. But here’s where it gets exciting—their approach is completely different. While ASHA focuses on supporting its members to be the best professionals they can be, the ASHFoundation is all about groundbreaking research, innovation, and scholarship. They provide funding to continuously improve the clinical assessments and treatments that become invaluable tools for us. It's the philanthropic heart of our profession, channeling resources to fuel discovery and drive change. In essence, while ASHA nurtures its members, the ASHFoundation nurtures the very core of our discipline.
Imagine this: a practitioner on the brink of a breakthrough, thanks to a research grant from the ASHFoundation. Or a student, full of dreams and aspirations, receiving a scholarship to pursue their goals. Picture a loved one with a communication disorder benefiting from a cutting-edge treatment developed through innovative research. Incredible, right?
ASHFoundation's philanthropic pursuits include:
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Research Grants: The ASHFoundation provides research grants to investigators across their career span who are exploring innovative solutions to pressing challenges in speech, language, and hearing sciences.
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Scholarships and Clinical Achievement Awards: Through scholarships and awards, the ASHFoundation empowers students and fosters the next generation of leaders while also recognizing outstanding contributions to clinical practice.
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Community Engagement: By supporting community-based initiatives and outreach programs, the ASHFoundation extends its impact beyond academia, reaching individuals in need across diverse communities.
So, how exactly do the ASHFoundation and ASHA work together?
I see them as two branches of a tree, both rooted in the mission to provide evidence-based practices for people with communication disorders. Same tree, different branches. While ASHA serves as the foundation of professional practice—offering continuing education, resources, and advocacy—the ASHFoundation drives innovation and discovery through philanthropy. Together, they foster the collaboration, compassion, and excellence that define our profession.
Fast forward to today, and I’m honored to serve as president of the ASHFoundation’s Board of Trustees. Why? Because I've come to understand that whether you're a seasoned practitioner or an aspiring researcher, the journey to a world where communication knows no bounds begins with forward-thinking research and dedicated, compassionate professionals. Together, ASHA and the ASHFoundation are lighting the path forward on that journey.
Stacy L. Williams
ASHFoundation President