ASHA Advisory Councilors - Councilors are duly elected by ASHA members residing in North Carolina and represent the state on the ASHA Advisory Coucil.

2007 - 2009

Wayne A. Foster, PhD, CCC-Sp/A

Brown Summit, NC

Wayne was dually certified in speech/language pathology and audiology in 1980 after graduating from the University of South Carolina in 1979. Over the years Wayne has had experience in hearing aid fitting and dispensing, cochlear implants, (central) auditory processing evaluation and therapy, auditory habilitation/rehabilitation, interoperative ABR monitoring, and neonatal intensive care hearing testing. After serving on the very last two years of the Legislative Council, Wayne transitioned to the Audiology Advisory Council and was subsequently elected for another term.

2006 - 2010

Sharon Ringwalt

Chapel Hill, NC

Sharon works with both the National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (www.nectac.org) and the Mid-South Regional Resource Center (http://www.rrfcnetwork.org/msrrc). Her responsibilities at both include the negotiation, coordination and delivery of technical assistance for Part C and Section 619 of Part B of IDEA to all states and territories. This encompasses planning, implementing, and evaluating individualized technical assistance supports and services targeted to improve state systems serving young children with disabilities and their families in accordance with the IDEA legislation for infants, toddlers and preschool children with disabilities. Sharon has been an ASHA member since 1973 and a member of NCSHLA since 1978. Within ASHA, she served first on the Legislative Council from 2007 - 2007 and now on the Speech-Language Pathology Advisory Council (term ending December 31, 2010). She has also served in various capacities within NCSHLA, including serving on the Board of Directors from 1989 - 1992 and as NCSHLA President 1990 - 1991.

State Advocates for Reimbursement (STARs) - These are ASHA-NC member audiologists and speech-language pathologists are appointed by the NCSHLA president and advocate statewide with legislators, the state health commissioners, health plans, unions, and employers on matters of reimbursement. Download a complete description of their roles.

2008

Susan Chapman

Elon, NC

Medicare Intermediary & Carrier State Network (MICs)- These members work to advocate, represent and influence public policy and administrative decisions that impact ASHA members in the areas of Medicare, SLP/A service delivery, collaboration and health policy. Download a complete description of their roles.

2008

Lisa Forster

State Education Advocacy Leader (SEAL) - These members perpetuate the advocacy and clinical management skills development for school-based ASHA members. They represent members within policy discussions that effect SLP/As in school settings. Download a complete description of their roles.

2008

Tomma Hargraves

Raleigh, NC

Tomma has been an educational speech-language pathologist for longer than she wishes to share. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Washington and her master's degree from Southern Connecticut State University. Her professional experience includes public school systems in East Haven, Connecticut, Fairfax County, Virginia and currently in Wake County, North Carolina where she works as a speech-language pathologist in a year round school. She currently serves as an area supervisor for SLPs and a mentor for both SLPs and special education teachers. She is currently co-lead SLP for the Wake County Public Schools. Tomma has served on several NCSHLA convention committees, and has served as the treasurer for NCASSPA for 3 years.