EPICS Scholar Picks Up Text for Next Course

by Guam CEDDERS EPICS

December 19, 2018: Camille Onglao Gonzales, EPICS Scholar, picked up a hard copy of “Cognitive Communication Disorders,” by Michael L. Kimbarow in preparation for the EDSP 265: “Cognitive Disorders” class which starts on January 7, 2019. Camille is accompanied by Mavi, her two-month old daughter. Both mother and child are clearly excited about the start of the new class. Happy New Year!!!

Guam Regional Medical City Serves as Practicum Site for EPICS Scholar

by Guam CEDDERS EPICS
December 13, 2018: Sibyl Crisostomo, CCC-SLP, (right) clinical supervisor at Guam Regional Medical City, explains bolus flow to Joseph Mendiola, during a bedside swallow assessment, as part of his practicum activities. Joseph is a graduate student under the “Educating Pacific Island Clinicians in Speech Pathology” (EPICS) Project, a collaborative project facilitated by San Jose State University and Guam CEDDERS.

San Jose University Scholars Participate in GRMC Swallow Therapy

by Guam CEDDERS EPICS OSEP
November 1, 2018: The Guam Regional Medical City (GRMC) welcomed sixteen scholars from the “Educating Pacific Island Clinicians in Speech Pathology” (EPICS) Project. The scholars visited the Rehabilitation Department to participate in “swallow therapy” classes. The visiting scholars are graduate students in the Speech Pathology Program at San Jose State University (SJSU) through the EPICS Project, a personnel preparation grant funded by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), in partnership with the University of Guam When the scholars graduate, the new Speech Language Pathologists will fill much-needed positions in Guam schools and hospitals.
Participating in the classes were (Seated L-R): Cassandra Dimla; Aileen Serrano; Meagan Terlaje; Tatiana Perez; and Liahlanni Cruz. (Standing L-R): Sybil Crisostomo, CCC-SLP, GRMC Speech Therapist; Gabriella Duenas; Bobbie Obillo; John Payne; Lisa Eclavea; Jasmin Advani; Christina Coles; Dianne Sapida.

EPICS Scholars Celebrate Completion of Two On-Site Classes

by Guam CEDDERS EPICS
After spending an intense 10 days taking two on-site classes, the scholars in the Educating Pacific Island Clinicians in Speech Pathology (EPICS) Program had a small celebration on August 3 to commemorate the last day of class. Dr. Carol Zepecki, (front, center) San Jose State University faculty, who taught the on-site classes on Assessment and Research Methods, is shown here with a carved latte stone as small token of appreciation from students. EPICS scholars are graduate students in the Speech Pathology Program at San Jose State University.
(Front Row L-R) EPICS scholars pose with Keokia Mendiola, CCC-SLP, EPICS Clinical Practicum Supervisor, and Dr. Carol Zepecki, CCC-SLP, San Jose State University faculty, pose with the EPICS scholars during the end of the classes celebration on August 3.
(Second Row L-R) Camille Onglao, Bobbie Obillo, Dianne Sapida, Tricia Taitano, Liahlanni Cruz, Megan Merfalen, Lisa Eclavea, Jasmin Advani.
(Back Row L-R) Aileen Serrano, Catherine Ruszala, Lillian Reyes, Cassandra Dimla, Christina Cole, Gabriella Duenas, Ignacio Dela Cruz, Tatiana Perez, Meagan Terlaje, John Payne, JJ Mendiola.
On August 3, Lillian Reyes, EPICS Scholar, presented a wooden carving of a latte stone to Dr. Carol Zepecki, as a small token of appreciation from the EPICS scholars.
Dr. Carol Zepecki, expresses her thanks after receiving a carved wooden latte stone from students in the EPICS Project.

EPICS Summer On-site Courses Focus on Language Assessment and Research

by Guam CEDDERS EPICS Interdisciplinary Pre-Service Preparation

On-site summer courses for the Educating Pacific Island Clinicians in Speech Pathology (EPICS) Project began on July 23 and will go until August 3.  Dr. Carol Zepecki, CCC-SLP, faculty from San Jose State University, is the instructor for the two classes, EDSP 221- Research Methods and EDSP 276 – Clinical Practicum Assessments.

EPICS is a collaborative project between San Jose State University and Guam CEDDERS which brings SJSU’s graduate program in Speech Pathology to our region.  There are currently 16 scholars from Guam and 3 scholars from the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands enrolled in the program.

EPICS scholar Camille Gonzales takes the lead in facilitating this language assessment session on July 25.

Scholar Lily Reyes (left) records data while Camille Gonzales (center) leads the session.

EPICS Accreditation Site Visit Call

by Jenika Ballesta Continuing Education EPICS
Educating Pacific Islanders Clinicians in Speech Pathology (EPICS) Scholars participated in a “Site Visit Call” on March 16 conducted by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) Team reviewing the San Jose State University graduate program in Speech Language Pathology. The CAA Team included (shown on the screen, L-R) Donald Fuller, chair of the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley; Vicki Hammen, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, Associate Professor and Program Director of the Communication Disorders Programs at Indiana State University; and Kira Wright, MS, CCC-SLP, a speech-language pathologist and resource specialist for The Hello Foundation. EPICS scholars who attended the meeting were (clockwise, starting at right) John Payne, Megan Merfalen, Lillian Reyes, and Christina Coles. Not shown: Terrie Fejarang, Guam CEDDERS Associate Director, and EPICS Liaison for Guam and the CNMI.

EPICS Scholars Complete Summer Courses

by Guam CEDDERS Community Services: Training Continuing Education EPICS Interdisciplinary Pre-Service Preparation

Scholars in the Educating Pacific Island Clinicians in Speech (EPICS) Project completed the final two courses to fulfill the undergraduate requirements for the San Jose State University graduate program in speech language pathology. The courses, EDSP 112: Treatment and Management of Speech Language Disorders and EDSP124: Assessment & Evaluation, were taught on-site, the first face to face courses, by Jean Jackson, CCC-SLP, SJSU adjunct professor from June 5 – July 7, at house 24, Dean’s Circle, UOG.

Shown above are: L-R: Front Row (kneeling): Gabriella Duenas, Meagan Merfalen, Ignacio Dela Cruz, Aileen Serrano, Bobbie Avelano. Second Row: Diane Supido, Cassandra Dimla, Megan Terlaje, Lillian Reyes, Tricia Tatiana, Camille Onglao, Liahlanni Cruz, Catherine Ruszala, and Jean Jackson, CCC-SLP, Professor. Third Row: Jasmin Advani, John Payne, Lisa Ecalvea, Christina Cole, Tatiana Perez, and JJ Mendiola.

 

Lillian Reyes presents a plaque of the Seal of Guam as a token of the scholars’ appreciation to Professor Jean Jackson.

EPICS Scholars Meet with Dr. Wendy Quach, CCC-SLP

by Guam CEDDERS EPICS

Attending the meeting were (L-R) Front Row: Megan Merfalen, Tatiana Perez, John Payne, Lisa Eclavea, Gabrielle Duenas, and Meagan Terlaje. Back Row: Joseph Mendiola, Christina Coles, Camille Gonzales, Dr. Quach, Bobbie Obillo, Lillian Reyes, Dianne Sapida, Cassandra Dimla, Jasmin Avani, Lanni Cruz, and Aileen Serrano.
Guam-based EPICS scholars met for the first time face to face with Dr. Wendy Quach, CCC-SLP, Co-Director on January 16 at the GSAT Center. The EPICS Project provides scholarships and access to San Jose State University’s Graduate Program in Speech Language Pathology. Attending the meeting were (L-R) Front Row: Megan Merfalen, Tatiana Perez, John Payne, Lisa Eclavea, Gabrielle Duenas, and Meagan Terlaje. Back Row: Joseph Mendiola, Christina Coles, Camille Gonzales, Dr. Quach, Bobbie Obillo, Lillian Reyes, Dianne Sapida, Cassandra Dimla, Jasmin Avani, Lanni Cruz, and Aileen Serrano.
Dr. Quach met with the Guam Department of Education, Division of Special Education, Speech Language Pathologists on January 17 to discuss scholar observations and practica supervision.
Dr. Quach met with Yolanda Gabriel, Assistant Superintendent for Special Education, Guam Department of Education, on January 17, to discuss Project EPICS activities and timelines, and facilitating supports for the Guam-based EPICS Scholars.
Dr. Quach also travelled to Saipan on January 19 and met with CNMI EPICS Scholars. Pictured above are Dr. Quach and Tricia Taitano, EPICS Scholar, meeting at Oleai Elementary School.
Dr. Quach met with Ignacio Dela Cruz, EPICS Scholar, at William Reyes Elementary School.
Dr. Quach also met with Cathy Ruszala, EPICS Scholar.
Dr. Quach met with Suzanne Lizama, CNMI Special Education Director, on January 19, to discuss Project EPICS activities and timelines, and facilitating supports for the CNMI EPICS Scholars. Also attending this meeting was Terrie Fejarang, Guam CEDDERS Liaison for Project EPICS.

  • Four individuals posing for photo.

    (L-R) Terrie Fejarang and June De Leon, Guam CEDDERS Associate Directors, met with Vaitinasa Dr. Salu Hunkin-Finau, American Samoa Director of Education, and Paolo Salavea, American Samoa Special Education Interim Coordinator on August 6 to discuss the EPICS Project.

  • Eight individuals posing for photo.

    Seated: (L-R) June De Leon & Terrie Fejarang, Guam CEDDERS Associate Directors and Vaitinasa Dr. Salu Hunkin-Finau, American Samoa Director of Education. Standing: (L-R): Faailuga Kapesi, Special Education Teacher; Sala Godinet, Special Education Teacher; Lana Aga, Fiscal Officer; David Gabriel, Assessment Officer; and Paolo Salavea, Special Education Interim Coordinator.

EPICS Recruitment Goes to American Samoa

by Guam CEDDERS EPICS Interdisciplinary Pre-Service Preparation

Guam CEDDERS Staff met with staff from the American Samoa Department of Education to share information on recruitment for the upcoming EPICS Program.  Applications relating to EPICS, which stands for “Educating Pacific Island Clinicians in Speech Language Pathology” are due on August 31.  For more information, please contact Terrie Fejarang at terrie.fejarang@guamcedders.org.