Simucase managing editor receives highest honor from Illinois Speech-Language-Hearing Association

Simucase managing editor Carol Szymanski, PhD, CCC-SLP, CHSE, was recognized by the Illinois Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ISHA) as the recipient of Honors of the Association for 2019.

The Honors of the Association is the highest award bestowed by ISHA annually. Recipients are acknowledged based on their contributions to the people of Illinois with communication disorders and the professionals who serve them.

Szymanski was recognized at the ISHA Annual Convention, held Feb. 7-9, 2019, in Rosemont, Illinois.

Recipients of Honors of the Association from ISHA must have actively participated and made significant contributions to the professions of speech-language pathology and/or audiology. The recipient must be a current ISHA member who has practiced within the professions for a minimum of 15 years and who is considered by peers to have made distinguished contributions to the professions.

With more than 25 years in the field of speech-language pathology, Szymanski has worked extensively at the university level, where she has taught, supervised clinical practicum, conducted research, and served in an administrative capacity. Her current research interests include pedagogy in graduate education, specifically clinical education through simulated clinical experiences. She is a Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator and teaches assessment coursework utilizing computer-based clinical simulations. She is the managing editor of Simucase, an online simulation learning platform that allows users to observe, assess, diagnose, and provide intervention for virtual patients.

Szymanski is active in speech-language pathology advocacy and leadership. She is an ISHA Fellow and the immediate past president of ISHA.

“Dr. Szymanski is enthusiastic and passionate about the future of the field of speech-language pathology,” said Tena L. McNamara, AuD, CCC-A/SLP, professor emeritus at Eastern Illinois University and current ISHA president. “She cares about fairness and justice for all in this profession and has shown to be a great role model and positive mentor for others. I feel fortunate to have served with her and observed her exceptional leadership skills and techniques.”

Szymanski was nominated by McNamara, along with nominating sponsor Brenda Wilson, PhD, professor emeritus at Eastern Illinois University and past ISHA president; co-sponsor Diane Barnes-Maguire, SLP, CCC-L, ISHA executive board member; and co-sponsor Frank Goldacker, faculty emeritus at Eastern Illinois University and past ISHA president.

“I am humbled to have been nominated and to have actually received this award,” Szymanski said. “The Illinois Speech-Language-Hearing Association is an amazing information and advocacy resource for Illinois speech-language pathology and audiology professionals, students, and consumers. I am honored to serve on the ISHA executive board and be a part of the work of the association. I consider everything I have done for ISHA to have been a team effort and thank my colleagues for working together with me to make progress for speech, language, hearing, and swallowing services in the state of Illinois.”