The Mississippi Speech-Language-Hearing Association (MSHA) celebrated an especially meaningful milestone during its 2026 Annual Conference, as members gathered to recognize the 50th anniversary of MSHA and five decades of service to Mississippi’s speech-language pathology and audiology professions. Held September 16–18, the conference brought together more than 360 attendees and 20 vendors for three days of education, professional development, networking, recognition and celebration. Throughout the conference, the anniversary provided an opportunity to reflect on MSHA’s history and the professionals and leaders who have helped build and strengthen the association over the past 50 years.
This year’s educational program offered an exceptional variety of sessions across multiple tracks and practice settings. The conference opened with Amanda Soper’s two-part intensive on AAC, language and cerebral visual impairment, followed on Thursday by a keynote address from Kevin Simmons. Throughout the conference, attendees could choose from programming addressing AAC, audiology, dysphagia, voice and resonance, pediatric practice, early intervention, literacy, school-based services, clinical supervision, ethics, artificial intelligence, educational technology, private practice and professional issues.
Among the many topics explored were multidisciplinary approaches to pediatric speech disorders, mobile pediatric audiology in rural communities, educational audiology, AAC device acquisition and implementation, executive function, instrumental swallowing assessment and evidence-based dysphagia care. Audiology programming included patient-centered hearing aid selection, hearing intervention outcome measures and emerging research, while SLP sessions addressed everything from supervision and clinical education to voice, swallowing and school practice. The conference also looked toward the future of the professions, including responsible AI literacy in clinical education and preparing the next generation of clinicians.
The 50th anniversary celebration also made this year’s gathering an opportunity to recognize the people who have shaped MSHA throughout its history. Past presidents were recognized as part of the Honors and Awards program, providing an important connection between the association’s past and its future. As MSHA marked five decades, the conference celebrated not only the organization’s history but also the generations of speech-language pathologists, audiologists, educators, students and volunteer leaders who have contributed to the profession in Mississippi.
Another highlight of the week was the MSHA Honors and Awards program, which recognized outstanding professionals and future professionals from across Mississippi. Gabrielle Aultman, M.A., CCC-SLP, received the Outstanding School Clinician Award; Paige G. Sanford, MS, CCC-SLP, received the Clinical Achievement Award; and Josie Alston, MA, CCC-SLP, received MSHA’s prestigious Honors of the Association Award. MSHA also celebrated its 2026 Student Clinician Award recipients, recognizing outstanding students from university programs across the state and highlighting the next generation of Mississippi speech-language pathologists and audiologists.
The success of a conference of this size is only possible through tremendous leadership, planning and volunteer service. MSHA extends a special thank you to Conference & Exhibits Co-Chairs Courtney Turner, AuD, CCC-A, PASC, and Mallory Putnam, M.S., CCC-SLP, whose work and commitment were instrumental in bringing together an outstanding conference experience for attendees, presenters and exhibitors. We also extend our sincere appreciation to MSHA President Stacey Mathis, MS, CCC-SLP, for her leadership throughout this milestone year and during the conference.
A special thank you also goes to Vice President of Continuing Education Mary Campbell, M.S., CCC-SLP, CNT, for her tremendous work coordinating the continuing education component of the conference and handling CEUs for attendees. Her efforts helped ensure that the extensive educational programming translated into meaningful continuing education opportunities for MSHA members and conference participants. MSHA is also deeply grateful to its officers, committee chairs, volunteers, speakers, university partners, vendors and everyone who worked behind the scenes to make the conference possible.
Finally, thank you to the more than 360 attendees and 20 vendors who helped make MSHA’s 50th anniversary conference such a memorable success. For five decades, MSHA has provided a place for Mississippi’s speech-language pathologists and audiologists to learn, lead, advocate, collaborate and advance their professions. The 2026 Annual Conference honored that legacy while also looking ahead to the future of communication and hearing services in Mississippi.
As MSHA celebrates 50 years, we are grateful for those who built the association, those who lead and serve today, and the students and emerging professionals who will carry its mission forward for the next 50 years.
Mississippi Speech-Language-Hearing Association 