PRESIDENT

After receiving her Master’s Degree in speech pathology from the University of Northern Colorado, Katie Allen returned to get a PhD at the University of Nevada, Reno, with a focus on voice and swallowing disorders. She has served in many clinical settings, including hospitals, SNFs, home health and clinics. She has a strong penchant for research which has focused on swallowing, voice, and motor speech disorders, and her studies have included novel uses of biofeedback to improve outcomes, pharyngeal manometry, and the impact of high flow oxygenation systems on swallowing. Katie is the owner of Summit Voice and Swallowing, located in Northern Nevada. Recently, she has been working to expand equitable patient care and clinician reimbursement, including Medicaid coverage for endoscopy in Nevada. Katie is excited to be the NSHA President!

PRESIDENT-ELECT

Jessica Garrett is the proud owner of Vibrant Therapy Services LLC with locations in the Henderson and North Summerlin areas. She has a Master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology and is currently pursuing her doctorate degree.  She has worked with adults and children in various settings, including early intervention, home health, skilled nursing facilities, schools, and private practice. Jess loves all aspects of being an SLP and enjoys learning and growing as a clinician. Jessica is passionate about advocating and has served as the CO-STAR on the NSHA board for the past year and a half advocating for reimbursement and coverage from state and private insurances. She is also actively involved with the private practice committee. Jessica is excited to continue to support the SLP profession, create a community among speech-language pathologists, and assist with professional growth and development in the state of Nevada.

CO-VICE PRESIDENT

Laura Simeone has been a Speech-Language Pathologist for 26 years. Originating from New York City, she earned her bachelor’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the State University Of New York: New Paltz, and her master’s degree from Long Island University: C.W. Post Campus. Commencing her career in NYC, Laura moved to Las Vegas in 2003, amassing experience across a variety of settings including private practice, early intervention, special education preschools, hospitals, Skilled Nursing Facilities, Home Health, and educational institutions. Laura continued her pursuit of knowledge receiving her second master’s degree in Administration and Supervision from Southern Utah University. Presently, she serves as the Coordinator of Speech and Language Therapy Services for the Clark County School District, demonstrating her leadership and dedication to the SLPs and students of CCSD.

Laura finds fulfillment in quality moments with her husband and two children. Her interests include travelling, attending concerts, festivals, and exploring new culinary experiences.

CO-VICE PRESIDENT

Born and raised in Springfield, Missouri, Hollie graduated with her Master's Degree in Speech Language Pathology from Missouri State University in 2007. She holds a Certificate of Clinical Competency in Speech Language Pathology from the American Speech Language and Hearing Association and state license to practice Speech Language Pathology in Missouri, Nevada, Illinois, and Alaska. In addition, she also holds educational licensure in Speech Language Pathology from the Board of Education in Nevada, Illinois, and Alaska. Hollie's husband is active duty in the United States Air Force. Their daughter attends high school in Las Vegas, NV at Las Vegas Academy of the Arts. The Fleming family includes a Labrador Retriever.

In her free time, Hollie enjoys spending time with family, enjoying the outdoors, camping, hiking, food, yoga, and travel.

SECRETARY

Shannon was born and raised in Reno, NV, and she received both her Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in Speech-Language Pathology at the University of Nevada, Reno. She has been working in private practice since graduating and started her practice, Bloom Therapy, in 2021. Shannon also works as a school-based contractor. With her experience in both schools and private practice, Shannon is passionate about supporting clinicians in each and every setting.

She loves animals and enjoys concerts, camping, and hiking.

TREASURER

Christy earned her M.S. in Speech Language Pathology and Ph.D. in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC). Christy has worked clinically in early childhood intervention, skilled nursing facilities, in-patient rehabilitation hospitals, long-term acute care hospitals, acute care hospitals, and neurogenic day treatment programs. Christy teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in assessment, aging and communication, motor speech, swallowing, and voice at Nevada State University.

Christy has two Goldendoodles and can frequently be found walking dogs and listening to books/podcasts. She loves to travel and has ridden the White Rim trail in Moab, UT on a mountain bike in two days.

GRADUATE STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE, NEVADA STATE UNIVERSITY

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Joey moved to Nevada in late 2019 with his wife and twin boys. As a child, he had a stutter that greatly interfered with many important social and developmental aspects of his life. It wasn’t until his 20s that he sought speech therapy at Cal State Northridge (where he also obtained a BA in History), and it changed his life for the better. When his twin boys started struggling with a similar disfluency, and knowing just how debilitating it can be without treatment, he wanted to play a more active role in helping children as well as adults, with speech disorders.

He's currently attending graduate school at Nevada State University. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family, running, watching/reading anything horror-themed.

GRADUATE STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE, UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA-RENO

Chloe Yocom (she/her) recently completed her undergraduate work at University of Nevada-Reno, and is also currently attending graduate school at UNR!

During her undergraduate career, she served as the president and fundraising chair for the National Student Speech-language hearing association. She has also advocated with the Nevada speech hearing association on many topics and is excited about continuing with the NSHA team!

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE, NEVADA STATE UNIVERSITY

Jillian is originally from Orange County, California, but has called Henderson home since 2008. She earned a BA in Psychology from California State University, Fullerton. Upon deciding to return to school after being a stay-at-home-mom for 14 years, Jillian learned of the Speech and Language Pathology program at Nevada State and knew that was exactly where she wanted to be.

Currently, she serves as Vice President of the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA) at NSU, where she works side by side with faculty and fellow SLP students to support the community through volunteer work and also to provide opportunities for SLP majors to develop and grow skills in the field of communication sciences. In addition, she works part-time for Clark County School District (CCSD) as a CTT-Certified Teaching Tutor, where she supports students in their academic growth through reading and phonics intervention.

Outside of her academic and professional life, she enjoys spending quality time with her husband and three children, cuddling with her fur babies (Ted, Tink, and Boots), and exploring new restaurants and travel destinations every chance they get.