At a key transition point in their studies, occupational therapy students across all USAHS campuses participate in a meaningful ritual, witnessed by family and friends. The OT pinning ceremony marks the end of the classroom portion of their studies and the beginning of their fieldwork. For Residential MOT and OTD students, this happens in their fourth term, and for Flex, in the seventh term.
A longstanding tradition in OT practice, the pin celebrates the diversity of practice areas, the client-centered nature of our practice and the values of our profession.
“It’s an opportunity for faculty to acknowledge our students’ transition from classroom learning to clinical learning,” says Mary Zadnik, ScD, MEd, OTR/L, director of the entry-level OT programs on Read more
PhD in Communication Sciences & Disorders with an emphasis in Neurogenic Communication Disorders, Louisiana State University
MA in Communication Sciences & Disorders, Louisiana State University
BA in Psychology, Hendrix College
Research Interests
Adult neurogenic communication disorders
Interprofessional education
Scholarship of teaching and learning in speech-language pathology
Areas of Expertise
Adult neurogenic communication disorders
Meghan Savage, Ph.D., CCC-SLP is the Program Director and an Associate Professor in the Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (MS-SLP) program. Dr. Savage, who is located on the Austin, TX campus, was previously the Interim Program Director and served as core faculty, Clinical Director and Assistant Program Director since joining the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in 2018. Her previous experience includes serving as the Graduate Coordinator of the Communication Sciences Disorders Master’s program at Southeastern Louisiana University.
Dr. Savage earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology in 2004 from Hendrix College in Conway, AR. She completed her master’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders in 2007 from Louisiana State University. In 2012, she earned her PhD in Communication Sciences and Disorders, with an emphasis in Neurogenic Communication Disorders from Louisiana State University.
Dr. Savage has worked clinically with pediatric and adult populations. Her research interests are in adult neurogenic communication disorders, and specifically in conversational treatments with people with aphasia and their conversation partners. She also has a passion for interprofessional education and collaborative practice teaching and research. She has numerous presentations at the local, state, national and international level and has published book chapters and peer-reviewed articles.She has also directed several master’s theses and mentored students through the research process.
Dr. Savage was selected to participate in the Council of Academic Programs in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CAPCSD) Lisa Scott Leadership Academy. She is also a T3Training Grant recipient to attend the University of Virginia’s Train the Trainer Interprofessional Training Program. She serves on the Board for the Academy of Neurological Communication Disorders and Sciences (ANCDS). Furthermore, Dr. Savage actively participates in service at the University. She founded and facilitated a monthly community stroke support group at a local hospital and has served as a founding board member for a nonprofit pediatric clinic. Dr. Savage is the recipient of the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences’ 2020 Board Excellence ‘Student First’ Award.
