Joann Denemark, the program director for Augusta University’s new Master of Health Science in Speech-Language Pathology (MHS-SLP), is set to graduate with a Doctor of Education (EdD) in Educational Innovation with a concentration in Leadership from the College of Education and Human Development. Denemark has played a key role in launching the MHS-SLP program at Augusta University’s College of Allied Health Sciences since joining the institution in 2021.
Reflecting on her academic journey, Denemark said, “One of my professors described getting your doctorate as an exercise in persistence, and I’ve always remembered that. And anytime I ask myself, ‘Why did I do this?’ I remind myself I’m exercising persistence.”
Denemark originally had not planned to return to school after earning her master’s degree in 2001. However, becoming director of the MHS-SLP program changed her path. To establish the program, she secured approval from the University System of Georgia’s Board of Regents and obtained dual accreditation from both the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges and the Council on Academic Accreditation in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology.
To meet accreditation requirements—which stipulate that at least half of faculty must hold research doctorates—Denemark enrolled in Augusta University’s EdD program using tuition assistance offered by the university system. She ensured all faculty met or exceeded these standards.
Denemark emphasized her motivation: “I’m an advocate, period. For my profession, for the kids I used to see, for my former patients, and that’s why I’m doing this and why I started this program.” She added, “Advocacy for them, not for me, not for AU. There’s a critical shortage of SLPs nationwide, which means there are long waitlists for speech pathology services. One hundred to 150 kids on a waitlist at every facility, just getting further and further behind. If a child is presenting a delay or disorder, a parent wants to do the best they can for them, but they can’t because of these long waitlists. So, that’s really what drives me to move forward and why I stay focused.”
Earning her EdD has also helped Denemark grow professionally. “My concentration in leadership has helped me in my role as a program director,” she said. “And the whole research process of conducting a study, obtaining IRB approval and completing all of the steps for my dissertation and defending it actually helped me with my faculty position because now I understand even more the evidence-based practice behind why we do the things we do.”
Her dissertation focused on interprofessional education—collaboration among different health care disciplines such as speech pathology, physician assistants, occupational therapy and physical therapy—to improve patient-centered care. “You have speech pathologists, physician assistants, occupational therapy and physical therapy coming together to hopefully decrease the amount of times patients have to go to the doctor,” she explained.
However, Hurricane Helene disrupted her original dissertation plan when an event at Medical College of Georgia was cancelled due to severe weather. With limited power and internet access during this time—and while managing an accreditation report deadline—Denemark adjusted her dissertation topic with guidance from her chair.
“Then I had to pivot and talk to my dissertation chair about what I was going to do, and I ended up doing it on an interprofessional education activity that happened earlier in the semester so it worked out perfectly,” Denemark said.
The disruption delayed completion; she postponed her defense date with support from her mentor but ultimately defended successfully over summer instead of spring.
After defending her dissertation successfully Denemark stated: “I know that it’s a big accomplishment, and maybe it’ll hit me when I’m walking across the stage but right now I just think – OK,I got it done.Let’s go to next thing.”
She credited support from fellow students—her cohort—and especially Rhia Moreno PhD who served as chair,instructor,and mentor.“Joann was already doing amazing work in her director position at AU,and I knew she would bring that same energy to her dissertation.In my role as her mentor,we had frequent meetingsand rounds offeedbackand discussion througha growth mindset lens.After losing monthsor researchand planningon herdisssertation journeybecauseof Hurricane Helene Joannwas determinedto pivotand moveforward evenifitputherbehind.Sheendedupproducingastellardissertationthatbroughtactionablechangetoherfield,”Moreno said.
The first group enrolled inthe MHS-SLPprogram began last fallwith23students.IttheonlySLPprogramintheUniversitySystemofGeorgiaaffiliatedwithanacademichealthcenter.WellstarMCGHealth.Denemarknotedpositivefeedbackfromstudentsandtheimportanceofincreasingthenumberofqualifiedgraduatesamidnationwideshortages.
Looking ahead,she planscontinueinterprofessionaleducationresearchtoenhancecoursesforstudentsandsaid,“I never thoughtIwouldbeworkinginhighered,soujustneverknowwhatGodhasplannedforthefuture.”
