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Community Development Board

community development board working around table
 community development board group photo
community development board at dean reception
community development board at parents weekend

The first meeting of the ASP Community Development Board was held on Wednesday, November 9, 2011, in the Silverstein-Luper Hearing and Speech Center Building, Knoxville, TN.

Original members were selected due to their unfaltering support and interest in the welfare of the Department of ASP, and because they represented various constituents within the community (e.g., parent of former student, health care attorney, alumni), providing them with unique and important perspectives on our ASP programs.

The original purposes of the Board were to:

  1. establish and promote goals which strengthen the communication and ties between the Department, the community, and the University,
  2. support the Department in maintaining and enhancing a reputation for excellence in service delivery, professional preparation, and research,
  3. present an opportunity for social purposes to those persons who are interested in the distinguished record and future progress of the Department, and
  4. assist the department chair and development office in identifying potential donors and cultivating relationships for purposes of fundraising.

The ASP Community Development Board purposefully was organized in such a way that it is encompasses primarily members who are not employees of the department/university, and are free to express their unbiased opinions as they move towards its goals for supporting the department.

Since November 9, 2011, the ASP CDB has met almost monthly.  Over the years, some members’ terms have ended and new members have joined the Board.  Each member has contributed a wealth of knowledge, experience, and support to our Department.

With ideas and assistance from the Board, the Department has hosted the 40th anniversary of the pediatric language clinic, the 60th anniversary of the Department, its first annual Parent Weekend for ASP graduate students and their families, and several fundraisers including the recent Dinner with Tamika Catchings.

The Board also created the ASP CDB Enrichment Fund to meet immediate strategic needs in the Department.  Examples of these initiatives include funding for a Cerumen Management Training for AuD students and faculty, seed money for PhD students to collect data for their research projects, and the purchase of state of the art equipment for the clinics and classrooms.

Current Board Members

Dale Amburn, Esq.
Sally Baerman, AuD, CCC-A
Robert Beam
Julie Beeler, MA, CCC-A/SLP (ASP staff representative)
John Berry, MA
Lynda Cobb, MPA
Tommy Cook
Mark Gaylord, MD
Karen Gilbertson, MA, CCC-SLP
Ashley Harkrider, PhD (ASP faculty representative)
Kristin Kamman, PT
Terrell Kerr
John Little, MD
James Martin, AuD
Jameson Mattingly, MD
William Merwin, MD, FACS
Ryn Rowlett, MA, CCC-SLP
Carol Sheridan, MA, CCC-SLP
Hal Watts, Esq., President
Kelly Yeager, AuD (ASP faculty representative)

Board Member Highlights


dale amburn photo

W. Dale Amburn, Esq.
President and CEO, London & Amburn, P.C. in Knoxville

Mr. Amburn is a founding member of the firm of London & Amburn, P.C.  He graduated from the UT (BS in Business Administration) in 1976 and received his law degree from the UT College of Law in 1978.  His daughter, Meredith Amburn Cunningham, is a speech-language pathologist who graduated from the department with a Bachelor’s in Audiology and Speech in 2009 and a Master’s in Speech Pathology in 2011.

"To me, the University of Tennessee Audiology and Speech Pathology Program is one of our 'hidden gems.' It makes such a difference in our community through needed services to people of all ages, and by providing world-class training and education to students in this field. Graduates of the program not only serve in this community, but across the country and internationally as well. I am honored to serve on the Community Development Board as it supports the mission of the Program in making a difference in the lives of so many."

sally baerman photo

Sally Baerman, AuD, CCC-A

Dr. Sally Baerman is owner/audiologist at Bridgewater Balance & Hearing in Knoxville.  She opened her practice in May 2005 upon completing her doctoral studies at UT Knoxville. Dr. Baerman serves as a preceptor for UTHSC AuD students at Bridgewater and values the opportunity to share and teach her passion for audiology.

“I have the utmost reverence for the University of Tennessee Hearing and Speech Center’s program and value their service to the community.” 

robert beam photo

Robert Beam
General Secretary of Knoxville Scottish Rite

Knoxville Scottish Rite has provided funding for speech therapy services at UTHSC ASP for more than thirty years.

"I enjoy being on the Community Development Board because it gives me an opportunity to be an active part of the important work of the department.  This board engages in promotion of the department as well as providing opportunities to serve the community through its four clinical programs.  I have seen first-hand how the work of this department and clinic impact the lives of children and families, and it makes me proud that we at Scottish Rite are able to support this work."

mark gaylord photo

Mark Gaylord, MD
Professor of Pediatrics, University of Tennessee Medical Center, Knoxville
Medical Director, University of Tennessee Medical Center, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Dr. Gaylord received his medical degree from UTHSC College of Medicine in 1978.  He then completed a residency in pediatrics and a fellowship in neonatology at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center.  He is certified by the American Board of Pediatrics.

“As the American Academy of Pediatrics Chapter Champion for Early Hearing Detection and Intervention, I have a special place for children with hearing loss because one of my own children had recurrent otitis media and struggled with hearing issues.   UT Medical Center has had a long-standing relationship with the university audiologists, as we began a relationship to screen all our NICU babies for hearing loss in 1994.”

 

Kristin Kamman, PT

Kristin Kamman, PT
Physical Therapist, University of Tennessee Medical Center

“I have been hearing impaired most of my life, and I have been a patient at UT Audiology for many years. I also have a child who has been supported through UT Audiology services through most all her life. I see firsthand the difference that having access to quality hearing support can impact one's life and wellbeing. When I was asked to join the ASP Community Development Board, I jumped at the chance to give back to an organization that has supported me so well- with the hopes of paying it forward.”  

Terrell Kerr

Terrell Kerr

Terrell Kerr is a long-time member of the Downtown Sertoma Club in Knoxville.  He is active in a variety of Sertoma activities including the Celebrate Sound Walk and Oktoberfest, both of which raise funds for a graduate student scholarship and the audiology clinic’s hearing aid loaner bank.

James Martin, AuD

James Martin, AuD

Dr. Martin has a diverse professional background, working in various clinical environments, including over 10 years in an ENT office and over 25 years in manufacturing. Beyond clinical practice, he has conducted workshops, mentored aspiring audiologists, and worked to bridge the gap between academia and real-world clinical applications.

“Joining the ASP Community Development Board was an easy decision for me, as it aligns perfectly with my passion for mentoring, leadership, and shaping the future of healthcare professionals. The ASP program has long been recognized as one of the best in the country, and I am honored to contribute to its continued success. I am particularly inspired by the opportunity to work with students, guiding them toward excellence in both their academic and professional journeys. Through this role, I look forward to collaborating with board members who share a commitment to innovation, education, and community impact. Together, we can ensure that ASP remains a gold standard in professional development, providing students with the knowledge, resources, and mentorship necessary to excel in their careers.” 

Jameson Mattingly, MD

Jameson Mattingly, MD
Neurotologist, ENT Associates of East Tennessee

Dr. Mattingly arrived in Knoxville in 2021. After completing his residency in Neurotology at The Ohio State University and stayed on as faculty there for a few years. While there, he participated in research involving those with advanced hearing loss and vestibular disorders. He sees advanced cases that are commonly involved with the ASP department.

“I work closely with the specialists at UT, and thus we are very like-minded when it comes to the goals of the department. I still have a passion for being involved in an academic setting and am thankful to be able to continue this at UT.” 

ryn rowlett photo

Ryn Rowlett, MA, CCC-SLP
Amedisys Home Health 
Past President, Junior League of Knoxville 
 
When the Hearing and Speech Center was founded in 1953, the Junior League of Knoxville helped form a board of directors to support the center. At that time, there were no facilities in the state to help people with a variety of communication disorders.  As an active member in the Junior League and an aluma of the department (2008), I felt compelled and honored to serve on this board to not only honor the rich history between the two organizations, but also help it progress into the future.

 

carol sheridan photo

Carol Sheridan, MA, CCC-SLP
Retired Associate Clinical Professor in Speech Pathology

"I retired from the Department of Audiology and Speech Pathology in 2013 after 39 years as a clinical supervisor and  clinical coordinator at the Hearing and Speech Center. I have been affiliated with and invested in the department since I was a graduate student. I plan to assist the Community Development Board in any way I can to ensure the department and its programs remain a viable and contributing part of our community."

Jul 7, 2025