The Department of Communication Sciences & Disorders (CSD) hosted the USF CSD Interdisciplinary Winter Conference on Dec. 5, offering a full day of interdisciplinary presentations focused on communication sciences and related disciplines.
Held on the USF Tampa campus, the conference welcomed attendees from the university and across the broader community. The event featured sessions approved for American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) continuing education units (CEUs), with participants able to earn up to 0.65 CEUs by attending the full program.
The day began with a journal club session, 鈥淏uilding Trust in the Classroom: A Conceptual Model,鈥� led by Caitlin Street Al-Mutawa, MS, CCC-SLP. Morning programming continued with 鈥淚nterdisciplinary Perspectives in Concussion Management: Advancing Collaborative Clinical Practice,鈥� presented by Jon Douglas, AuD, CH-TM, CCC-A; Emily Glass, MA, CCC-SLP, and
Afternoon breakout sessions showcased a wide range of clinical and research topics. Presentations included 鈥淯pdates in the Management of Head & Neck Cancer鈥� by Erin Guidera, MS, CCC-SLP, BCS-S; 鈥淐omplexity Theory: Application to Language Disorder Across the Lifespan鈥� by Jane Smart, PhD, CCC-SLP; Al-Mutawa and Charlotte King, SLPD, CCC-SLP; and 鈥淎dvances in Noise Management: Bridging Hearing Aid Technology and Clinical Practice鈥� by Varsha Rallapalli, PhD, AuD, CCC-A, and Erol J. Ozmeral, PhD.
Additional sessions included 鈥淯sing Cross-Linguistic and Language-Specific Information in the Intervention of Bilingual Preschool Children,鈥� presented by M. Adelaida Restrepo, PhD, CCC-SLP, department chair, and 鈥淎rtificial Intelligence Applications in Voice, Swallowing, and Airway Disease: Clinical Innovations and Research Updates,鈥� led by USF Health colleagues , and .
Restrepo expressed gratitude to the many people who contributed to the success of the conference, including the CSD CEU team: Alexandra E. Brandimore, PhD, CCC-SLP; Felicia Pastore, MS, CCC-SLP; Calli Fodor, AuD, CCC-A; Kathryn, Johnson MS, CCC-SLP; Glass; Samantha Thomas, MA, NIC; and Al-Mutawa. A special thank-you was also extended to Jena Rossman, academic program specialist, for managing room assignments, posting directional signage, and ensuring that each space was prepared to welcome attendees throughout the day.