Babjack awarded ASHA Distinguished Early-Career Professional Certificate

Christa Babjack, MA, CCC-SLP, assistant professor in the WVU School of Medicine Division of Communication Sciences and Disorders was recently awarded the Distinguished Early-Career Professional Certificate through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association on Sept. 14.

The certificate honors professionals in the fields of audiology and speech-language pathology who are making an impact in leadership, volunteering, or advocacy at the local, state and/or national level.

Having spent her career in public service, first as part of the Michigan and West Virginia public school systems and now at WVU, Babjack believes she has been afforded countless opportunities to make an impact by learning from others, refining her clinical skills, and engaging in teaching and supervisory roles.

“I am humbled and honored to receive this acknowledgment from ASHA,” said Babjack.

Babjack joined WVU School of Medicine in 2021 to teach classes and supervise students in the online graduate speech-language pathology program. Her clinical expertise focuses on pediatrics, especially children with alternative and augmentative communication, language impairments, and speech sound disorders.

Babjack thinks the division’s approach to embracing online learning opportunities helped showcase her innovative leadership capabilities, a key component of the award. She believes the division’s new online graduate program is effectively meeting the need of training more clinicians in the state while also aligning with the School of Medicine’s values.

“I enjoy seeing how graduate students are improving the health and wellbeing of the students and families they serve as they become kind, engaged, empowered, and purposeful clinicians,” Babjack said.

Looking toward the future, Babjack sees herself continuing to grow within the School of Medicine while also helping her colleagues and students grow.

“My personal leadership trajectory continues as I work to refine my supervision skills, conduct research related to tele-supervision and treatment approaches, and increase my intra- and inter-professional collaboration at WVU and within an ASHA special interest group,” said Babjack.

Babjack received her bachelor’s degree in Allied Health Sciences with an emphasis in Speech-Language Pathology from Grand Valley State University and her master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Western Michigan University. She has previously worked as a Speech-Language Pathologist in various school districts.

To learn more about the Division of Communications Sciences and Disorders visit medicine.hsc.wvu.edu/communications-sciences-and-disorders.