Meagan Spencer
Meagan Spencer received her B.A. in Communication Sciences and Disorders and her M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology from Harding University and her Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership in Higher Education from Abilene Christian University. She started as a speech pathologist for Cheatham Co. Schools, was the founding director of Freed-Hardeman University’s CSD program in West TN and is back in Nashville as the founding chair/director of Lipscomb University CSD. She is a 2021 ASHA Distinguished Early Career Professional and enjoys watching future SLPs love the profession.
Jessica Lenden-Holt
Jessica Lenden-Holt is a bilingual SLP and Chief Clinical Officer for Sidekick Therapy Partners. She is the current President Elect and the former VP of Legislative Affairs for TAASLP. She serves on the Medicaid committee for ASHA. Lenden-Holt also serves on multiple non-profit boards and is the founder of Dream Team Adapted Sports which hosts adapted sports camps for children and young adults.
Ginger
Martha Sherrill
Martha Sherrill, PhD., CCC-SLP, BCS-S is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist and Board-Certified Specialist (BCS-S) in Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders. She has been practicing in medical settings (e.g., acute care, SAR/IPR, SNF, HH, etc.) since 2006. She is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology at East Tennessee State University and practices clinically at Ear, Nose, and Throat Associates of Johnson City.
Kacey Hammonds
Kacey Hammonds is a CCC, SLP residing in Kingsport, Tennessee. She received her Bachelor’s degree from Radford University and Master’s Degree from the University of Tennessee. She has been practicing as an SLP for 9 years. She began her career as a CF for Sidekick Therapy Partners, formally known as Curlee Communication Consultants. Throughout her time with Sidekick, she has provided evaluations and therapeutic treatment for adult cognitive and dysphagia clients via home health service delivery and speech and language services to the birth to three population in their natural environments. She has also provided speech, language, and fluency evaluations and therapies to school age students from preschool to middle school. Through Sidekick, Kacey has served students in multiple counties across East TN, including Hamblen, Greene, and Kingsport City schools, among many others. Her leadership roles at Sidekick include District Coordinator of Kingsport City Schools and Washington Co Schools, and now Clinical Lead. As District Coordinator and Clinical Lead, Kacey provides expertise and advice on team schedules, including guidance on placement, coverage, growth, and ensuring therapists schedule preferences are considered. She also shares advice on clinical direction and coaching to Sidekick SLPs across Upper East Tennessee. Kacey is a member of TAASLP, the Tennessee Association of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologist. She is currently representing TAASLP as the Vice President of Communications and as a state advocate, currently holding the title of STAR, State Advocate for Reimbursement for the state of Tennessee. She works to provide leadership, guidance, and support on topics related to coverage, reimbursement, and the delivery of services under state Medicaid programs and private payers. As VP of communication, she develops and oversees TAASLP’s communication strategy by ensuring consistent, clear messaging aligned with TAASLP’s mission and managing digital communications.
Beth Humphrey
As former President of TAA and currently serving on ASHA’s Committee of Ambassadors, Beth also steps into the role of STAMP representative this year. One of her goals is to improve access to information about Medicare coverage and advocacy opportunities for speech-language pathologists and audiologists in TN.
Jack Henderson
Jack Henderson MS CCC-SLP (he/ him) is a person who stutters with over a decade of clinical experience as a SLP. He is the founder of Henderson Stuttering Therapy, a practice based in Nashville, TN with teletherapy availability in Tennessee, Kentucky, Arkansas, and Alabama. He is a co-leader of the Nashville area chapter of the National Stuttering Association (NSA) and an adjunct faculty at Austin Peay State University, teaching the graduate-level fluency course. Jack is on the Advisory Board of SPACE (Stuttering, People, Arts, Community, Education), an international non-profit advocacy and support organization for people who stutter.
Marc Fagelson
Fagelson serves on the TAASLP Executive Committee as a conference committee co-chair. He hopes to encourage and nurture TAASLP offerings that address the unique needs of underserved audiologic populations, such as those patients bothered by tinnitus, as well as musicians and other individuals whose careers and quality of life may be influenced profoundly by disorders of sound tolerance.
Jennifer Henderson
Jennifer Henderson is a CCC, SLP residing in Knoxville Tennessee. She received her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree from Valdosta State University. She has been practicing as a SLP for 16 years. She began her career as a CF for Rockdale County Schools, in Conyers, Ga. She has been working for Sidekick Therapy Partners, formally known as Curlee Communication Consultants, since 2009.
At Sidekick, Jennifer has provided comprehensive evaluation and therapeutic treatment to adult clients with cognitive and dysphagia challenges through home health services. She has also provided speech and language services to children aged 0-3 years, and conducted speech, language, and fluency evaluations and therapies for HeadStart students and those in preschool through twelfth grade. She also provided speech and language services at a psychiatric residential treatment facility that supported residents with Autism and other Neurodevelopmental diagnoses. Her leadership roles include that of Lead SLP, District Coordinator, and currently, Director of Quality Assurance and Clinical Lead at Sidekick.
As Clinical Lead, Jennifer is responsible for supporting zone teammates and district coordinators, which includes conducting annual check-in reviews and providing ongoing feedback. She is also responsible for collaborating with leadership team members on policies/procedures, following up on any concerns or issues and assisting in managing day to day Sidekick operations and communication with teammates.
As Director of Quality Assurance, Jennifer is responsible for supporting and leading the QA team, auditing a variety of documents uploaded to Cue, providing feedback and collaborating with the Sidekick Clinical and Operations team.
Her goal is to increase awareness & advocacy efforts around access to speech, language, & hearing services. This includes increasing engagement in advocacy efforts & expanding access to critical services statewide.
Shequria Williams
Shequria Williams is a CCC, SLP residing in Knoxville Tennessee. She received her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree from the University of Alabama-Tuscaloosa. She has been practicing as a SLP for 15 years. She began her career as a CF for Sidekick Therapy Partners, formally known as Curlee Communication Consultants.
Throughout her time with Sidekick, she has provided evaluations and therapeutic treatment for TEIS, school aged, and adult populations treating a variety of impairments. Her leadership roles at Sidekick include Lead SLP, District Coordinator, Clinical Lead, and now Sr. Director of Clinical Services.
Shequria is a member of TAASLP. She is currently representing TAASLP as a state advocate and holds the title of SEAL, State Education Advocacy Leader, for the state of Tennessee. Shequria is also the SEAL Champion for the Southern Region of the U.S. She works to tackle issues related to caseload and workload, SLP shortages in the school system, salary supplements, and maintenance and personal standards in the school setting.
Kacey Hammonds
Kacey Hammonds is a CCC, SLP residing in Kingsport, Tennessee. She received her Bachelor’s degree from Radford University and Master’s Degree from the University of Tennessee. She has been practicing as an SLP for 9 years. She began her career as a CF for Sidekick Therapy Partners, formally known as Curlee Communication Consultants.
Throughout her time with Sidekick, she has provided evaluations and therapeutic treatment for adult cognitive and dysphagia clients via home health service delivery and speech and language services to the birth to three population in their natural environments. She has also provided speech, language, and fluency evaluations and therapies to school age students from preschool to middle school. Through Sidekick, Kacey has served students in multiple counties across East TN, including Hamblen, Greene, and Kingsport City schools, among many others. Her leadership roles at Sidekick include District Coordinator of Kingsport City Schools and Washington Co Schools, and now Clinical Lead. As District Coordinator and Clinical Lead, Kacey provides expertise and advice on team schedules, including guidance on placement, coverage, growth, and ensuring therapists schedule preferences are considered. She also shares advice on clinical direction and coaching to Sidekick SLPs across Upper East Tennessee. Kacey is a member of TAASLP, the Tennessee Association of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologist. She is currently representing TAASLP as the Vice President of Communications and as a state advocate, currently holding the title of STAR, State Advocate for Reimbursement for the state of Tennessee. She works to provide leadership, guidance, and support on topics related to coverage, reimbursement, and the delivery of services under state Medicaid programs and private payers. As VP of communication, she develops and oversees TAASLP’s communication strategy by ensuring consistent, clear messaging aligned with TAASLP’s mission and managing digital communications.
Joe Ha
Joe Ha is a Doctor of Audiology student at Vanderbilt University. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences with a minor in Linguistics from the University of Colorado Boulder. Joe is particularly interested in pediatric audiology and is passionate about serving underrepresented and underserved communities. He hopes to incorporate pro bono care into his future clinical practice to help ensure that all children and families have access to specialized, high-quality audiologic services. As the Graduate Student Representative for TAASLP, Joe aims to support student involvement and strengthen connections between students and professionals across Tennessee.
Anna Claire Butts
Daphne McDonald
Jan Ward
Jan Ward, CCC-SLP, CDP, RAC-CT, RAC-CTA, QCP, is a speech-language pathologist with over 30 years of experience in geriatric post-acute care. She serves as the Director of Quality Improvement and Education for a multi-state rehabilitation company and is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Speech-Language Pathology at Rocky Mountain University. Her professional focus includes Medicare compliance, PDPM, dementia care, and interdisciplinary team leadership. She is the Tennessee State Advocate for Medicare Policy (StAMP), chairs the professional development committee for TAASLP, and contributes to ASHA’s geriatric SIG 15 on the professional development committee. She also leads a national peer group for SLPs in long-term care.
Bess Sirmon-Taylor
Bess Sirmon-Taylor is chair of the Department of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology at East Tennessee State University. Her academic work was completed at Florida State University, Georgia College, and the University of Georgia, and she has been active in state association work for about 30 years in several states. As Member-At-Large, she is excited to represent the membership in all of the activities of the Executive Council, and chair the Honors and Awards Committee. Bess lives in Johnson City with her husband and five special needs rescue dogs, which is why she is usually covered with dog hair.
