ATSU-ASHS SLP professor shaping speech field, healthcare through advocacy

ATSU-ASHS SLP professor shaping speech field, healthcare through advocacy

A.T. Still University-Arizona School of Health Sciences (ATSU-ASHS) Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) program assistant professor Ivonne Maldonado de La Rosa, PhD, MS, CCC-SLP, is making an impact on national policy and professional practice through her work with the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).

In November, Dr. Maldonado de La Rosa will participate in ASHA's Capitol Hill Day, meeting with policymakers to advocate for legislation and initiatives that advance diversity, equitable health services, and improved access to care. Additionally, she will be a featured speaker at the ASHA National Convention, where she will present on the topic of pediatric feeding disorders.

Earlier this year, Dr. Maldonado de La Rosa also celebrated a personal milestone, earning a master's in legal studies from Arizona State University's Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law, furthering her commitment to advancing health justice.

"Understanding the law is essential for breaking down systemic barriers, shaping inclusive policies, and ensuring that every patient and family has access to equitable care," she said.

"In the classroom, I strive to embed these same principles, teaching future speech-language pathologists to approach assessment and intervention through a lens of equity, cultural humility, and responsiveness. This includes exploring relevant laws, policies, and systemic barriers that impact service delivery, as well as preparing students to identify and address inequities they may encounter in their future practice."

Dr. Maldonado de La Rosa serves on the board of ASHA's Hispanic Caucus and as the faculty advisor for ATSU's National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA) chapter. She was previously a Stanford University Innovation Fellow, developing user-centered, equity-minded solutions.

Through her teaching and national leadership, Dr. Maldonado de La Rosa reflects ATSU's dedication to whole person healthcare, driven by her passion to further health equity, inform policy, amplify diversity, and dismantle health disparities.