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.

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

Past Chair: Jeff Berliner, DO, Pronouns: he/him (APS)

Vice Chair: Brittany Snider, DO

Sigmund Hough, PhD, ABpp/rp

Emeritus Member

Matthew Davis, MD
Emeritus Member

APS Members (2023-26)

Christina Draganich, DO

Todd Linsenmeyer, MD

PSWC Members (2023-26)

Marguerite David, LCSW

Vacant

TLC Members (2023-26)

Megan Anderson, MS, OTR/L

Anne Bryden, PhD, OTR/L

SCIN Members (2023-26)

Vacant

APS Members (2025-27)

Cassandra Renfro

Brittany Snider, DO

PSWC Members (2025-27)

Denise C. Fyffe, PhD, FACRM

Roxanne Wasmer-250x250

Roxanne Wasmer, LCSW, CCM

TLC Members (2025-27)

Alex Chesney, OTR, ATP/SMS

Alexi Emerick, MOT, OTR/L

SCIN Members (2025-27)

Vacant

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: Tammy Abbott-Thiel (PSWC)
BOD Liaison:

Michael Kryger (APS), Christine Cleveland (APS), Philippines Cabahug (APS), Patricia Colucci. Casey Azuero, Janet Dean (SCIN), Tami Zamudio (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: Jennifer Irish, PhD, LP (PSWC)

Co-chair: Christine Krull, MD

BOD Liaison: Laura Rice, PHD, MPT, ATP (SCIN)

Douglas Eck, PT, DPT, MHI, ATP (TLC)

Savanna Russell, OTD, OTR/L (TLC)

Edel Auh, MD (APS)

Carolyn Campbell, MD (APS)

Gregory Grigoropoulos, MD (APS)

Daniela Illescu, MD (APS)

Shenell Hinton, MSN, RN, CRRN, CCM, NEA-BC (SCIN)

Matthew Sorenson, PhD, APRN, ANP-C, FAAN (SCIN)

Member Emeritus: James Wilson, MD (APS)

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 (TLC)

BOD Liaison: Lisa Ottomanelli Slone (PSWC)

Toby Huston, PhD
Pronouns: he/him (PSWC)

Shane Stone, MD (APS)

Lisa Wenzel (APS)

Tyler Burbee (TLC)

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 Abbott-Thiel, Wes Chay, Jillian Walker, Scott McDonald

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

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

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

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

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: Alice Hon
BOD Liaison: Darcy Erickson

Jackie Wondolowski (PSWC), Mariam Mian, Sara Waid, Joe Fangman (TLC), Mary Kelloff, Erin Brown

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)

David Schmid (SCIN), Rachel Camejo (TLC), Rachael Houtman (TLC), Aaron Lowry (TLC), Seema Sikka (APS), Matthew Sorenson (SCIN), Malorie Heinen (SCIN), David Schmid (SCIN), Jenn Irish (PSWC), Kim Monden (PSWC), Rafferty Laredo (TLC), Wesley Chay (APS), Daniela Iliescu (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