New speech-language program to begin accepting applications

Speech-language pathologists (SLP) Joann Denemark and Tiffany Prescott, PhD, were experiencing professional burnout as their caseloads continued to rise while working as school-based SLPs in public school systems.

Supporting their students was their main focus, so they continued to make it work as they enjoyed working with and providing quality speech therapy to their students.

Denemark said she was contemplating whether she wanted to make a career change or find a solution for the issues she, Prescott and other SLPs were facing. She opted for Plan B and reached out to College of Allied Health Sciences Dean Lester Pretlow, PhD, to discuss ways she could help, which included potentially starting a graduate SLP program at Augusta University.

Pretlow said the time was right to create the program, and the college had considered a speech language program for many years.

“We knew it was an area of need for Augusta and Georgia. Unfortunately, the environment for growing new health sciences programs had challenges that we knew would be obstacles to developing and implementing a program like speech, which had to be executed at the graduate level,” he said.

“I knew I would need someone to help bring the vision of SLP at AU to life. I was able to share with Joann the college’s desires for a speech program, and she was excited with the idea. I was impressed by her passion and knew she could help us to move SLP forward. I am thankful that she came onboard with us.”

After a lot of work by Denemark, Prescott, Pretlow and others, the University System of Georgia Board of Regents approved a new Master of Health Science in Speech-Language Pathology program, and applications will be accepted starting Aug. 1 with a start date of Fall 2025. The program is an applicant for accreditation by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

As program director, Denemark was tasked with creating a new program proposal, a budget, curriculum and the accreditation process, as well as finding faculty clinicals sites and, most importantly, students.

“I feel very fortunate to be given this opportunity. We get calls every day from someone interested in the program,” said Denemark, who became a speech pathologist early into her teaching career and is currently finishing her doctorate. “I really love helping people and helping them to be independent so they can live a better life, but starting a program was never on my radar. I’m excited and very blessed.”

The program’s mission is to prepare students with the “clinical acumen necessary for professional employment as an entry-level speech-language pathology clinician demonstrated by a collaborative therapeutic skillset to improve the quality of life of individuals with speech-language-communication and swallowing therapy needs.”

The first cohort will consist of 22 students who will have 95% face-to-face instruction over six semesters and 29 new courses. It will also be the only USG program affiliated with an academic health center, Wellstar MCG Health, while also offering students opportunities to experience clinical rotations at the Georgia Cancer Center, Children’s Hospital of Georgia, Charlie Norwood VA Hospital, local school districts, outpatient pediatric and adult therapy facilities.

Denemark and Prescott have more than 40 years of clinical experience between them. Prescott, the program’s clinical director, began her college career as an engineering major but explored a degree in education at the suggestion of her mother. She shadowed an SLP one day and fell in love with the profession.

“It’s a good opportunity now. I’m actually able to help develop a program,” Prescott said.

Both emphasized the importance of mentorship, networking and problem-solving to address the challenges speech pathologists face while trying to find ways to help improve education and services available to families.

They are also grateful to Pretlow and the health care community for the support and allowing them to expand an idea that will help create future workforce members.

“The CAHS has been in the life-changing business for 56 years. We have provided Georgia with health care professionals in every hospital or clinic in the state. Our SLP program will join a long history of professional programs,” Pretlow said. “My goal is helping people live their best lives. I am excited that we will be filling this important area, SLP, that is desperately needed for all of Georgia.”