Academy Committees

Advocacy Committee
GOALS:
To provide education and resources to promote increased knowledge and awareness for participation in advocacy
activities that enhance rehabilitation healthcare and the lives of individuals with SCI/D.

Click here to view the Advocacy Committee webpage.

Co-chair: Jeff Berliner, DO, Pronouns: he/him (APS)

Co-chair: Ellia Ciammaichella, DO, JD (APS), Pronouns: she/her (APS)

BOD Liaison: Becky Thayer, MSN, RN, CRRN (SCIN)

Megan Anderson, MS, OTR/L

Alex Bennewith, MPA

Anne Bryden, PhD, OTR/L

Alex Chesney, OTR, ATP/SMS

Marguerite David

Matthew Davis, MD
Emeritus Member

Christina Draganich, DO

Sigmund Hough, Ph.D., ABPP/rp
Emeritus Member

Kathy Hulse, LCSW, CCM

Julie Koeppe, M.Arch, BSN, RN

Todd Linsenmeyer, MD

Jon Rose, PhD

Clinical Practice Committee
GOALS:

To unite SCI/D professionals for the promotion of interdisciplinary clinical practice of SCI/D care.
To identify and assess clinical practice trends related to SCI/D professionals.
To recommend and implement strategies to promote quality of care for individuals with SCI/D.

Chair: Theresa Berner (TLC)
Co-Chair: Tammy Abbott-Thiel (PSWC)
BOD Liaison: Jenny Kiratli (APS)

Jackie Wondolowski (PSWC), Lauren Delulio (TLC), Janet Dean (SCIN), Deborah Crane (APS), Michael Kryger (APS), Christine Cleveland (APS), Pines Cabahug (APS), Tami McMichael (SCIN), Melanie Orell (TLC)

Early Career and Trainee Support Committee (ECATS)

GOALS:

Address the unique professional needs of students, trainees, and early career members within ASCIP membership.
Identify student, trainee, and early career issues and needs in regard to the Academy’s growth and development.
Provide networking opportunities with peers and experienced professionals within the organization.
Increase student, trainee, and early career membership participation and awareness of relevant topics.
Promote learning opportunities that emphasize the interdisciplinary nature and diversity of SCI/D care and research.
Promote professional development and leadership capacity through participation in ASCIP committees, mentorship opportunites, and engagement with senior ASCIP members.
Provide opportunities for students, trainees, and early career members to attend and participate in ASCIP’s annual conference.

Co-chair:
James Wilson (APS)

Co-chair: Jennifer Irish (PSWC)

BOD Liaison: Laura Rice (SCIN)

Rachel Boeche (TLC)

Douglas Eck (TLC)

Rachael Houtman (TLC)

Samantha Harfenist (PSWC)

Erin Zak (PSWC)

Carolyn Campbell (APS)

Daniela Illescu (APS)

Christie Paulter Krull (APS)

Linda Ehrlich-Jones (SCIN)

Matthew Sorenson (SCIN)

Electronic Communication Committee

GOALS:
To promote the development, implementation and utilization of electronics communication as an effective means of support for ASCIP GB, Committees, Sections, and membership.

Chair: Jillian Walker MS, OTRL, ATP Pronouns: she/her/hers (TLC)

BOD Liaison: Lisa Ottomanelli Slone (PSWC)

Toby Huston
Pronouns: he/him (PSWC)

Joan McMahon (SCIN)

Pierre Clay

Shane Stone (APS)

Lisa Wenzel (APS)

Finance Committee

GOALS:

Provide oversight and guidance to the GB regarding finances of ASCIP, assuring that proper procedures are followed
with regard to receipt of funds, banking, investment of funds, and disbursements.
Inform the GB of the resources available for ASCIP activities by preparing an annual budget, and
Directly or indirectly assist in fund raising activiries, along with the Management Agent, by functioning as a resource
to members

Tammy Abbot Thiel (PSWC), Monifa Brooks (APS)

Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access Committee (IDEA)

GOALS:

Awareness and education related to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access in supporting ASCIP’s activities, operation, policies, communications, services and products.

A culture where Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access are understood, respected and intentionally applied through meaningful, practical and pioneering strategies that can serve as a role-model.

Develop a culture where Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access are understood, respected and intentionally applied through meaningful, practical and pioneering strategies that can serve as a role-model to enhance opportunities for learning and self-growth globally for all citizens and our communities.

Click here to view the IDEA webpage

Chair (2024-25): Jillian Walker MS, OTRL, ATP Pronouns: she/her/hers (TLC)

Past Chair: Sigmund Hough Ph.D., ABPP/rp, Pronouns: he/him/his (PSWC)

BOD Liaison: Trisha Hicks, LSW, MEd., Pronouns: she/her (PSWC)

Ellia Ciammaichella DO, JD Pronouns: she/her (APS)

Samantha Harfenist Psy.D, Pronouns: she/her (PSWC)

Jeffrey Jaramillo MS, DPT, Pronouns: he/him/his (TLC)

Katharine Tam MD, Pronouns: she/her/hers (APS)

Florian Thomas MD, Ph.D, Pronouns: he/him (APS)

Jessica Whitchurch, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, Pronouns: she/her/hers

Membership Committee

GOALS:

Identify the community of professionals working and have an interest in the field of spinal cord injury/diseases. Involvement in the field of SCI/D can occur in any setting, including direct care, supervision, administration, research, education, health policy, etc.
Expand the membership of ASCIP.
Review membership requirements periodically and recommend revisions to the GB.
Respond to member concerns.

Chair: Erin Brown (TLC)
BOD Liaison: Joe Fangman (TLC)

Jackie Wondolowski (PSWC), Jane Mitchell (SCIN), Jeanette Elias (SCIN), Sara Waid, Elizabeth Kratochvil, Alice Hon, Mariam Mian

Program Committee

GOALS:

To plan and execute the Academy of Spinal Cord Professionals Educational Conference bringing together professionals representing the full spectrum of SCI/D healthcare to enhance multi-disciplinary care across the lifespan of individuals with spinal cord injury and related diseases.

Chair and BOD Liaison: Lisa Beck (SCIN)

Matthew Sorenson (SCIN), Malorie Heinen (SCIN), David Schmid (SCIN), Herb Ames (PSWC), Jennifer Irish (PSWC), Kimberly Monden (PSWC), Randy Huzinec (TLC), Rafferty Laredo (TLC), Rachel Boeche (TLC), Wesley Chay (APS), Daniela Iliescu (APS), Trevor Dyson-Hudson (APS).

Research Committee (ARC)

GOALS:

Promote submission of the highest quality of research-based presentations at the ASCIP Annual Conference.
Promote submission of SCI/D-related research in the JSCM by all the sections.
Provide members with networking opportunities to facilitate the development of research ideas and the dissemination of research findings to the larger SCI/D professional community.
Provide membership with information on valuable research resources (grants, funding, collaborations, etc.).
Support research efforts for early career and trainees in SCI/D health care.

Click here to view the ARC webpage