Ryan S. Husak, Ph.D., CCC-SLP

Chair, Communication Sciences and Disorders Department
Associate Professor
Communication Sciences and Disorders, School of Nursing and Health Sciences
Ryan Husak, Ph.D., CCC-SLP

Dr. Husak is an Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at La Salle University. He is also a licensed and certified speech-language pathologist and has worked in a variety of medically based settings. His area of specialization includes assessment and management of aphasia and other related neurogenic communication disorders. His research interests include investigating joint decision-making communication in married couples in which one of the spouses has aphasia and the other spouse does not. He is also interested in evaluating assessment treatment practices in aphasia rehabilitation.

Areas of Expertise

  • Aphasia
  • Neurogenic Cognitive-Communication Disorders
  • Medical Speech-Language Pathology

Education

  • Ph.D., Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Kentucky
  • M.S., Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Kentucky
  • B.A., Philosophy, Middle Tennessee State University

Certifications

  • Speech-Language Pathologist, Pennsylvania
  • Certificate of Clinical Competence in speech-language pathology, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
  • Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) in the Protection of Human Research

Teaching

  • COSD 100 Introduction to Language and Communication
  • COSD 102 Introduction to Communication Disorders
  • COSD 102-P Introduction to Communication Disorders (distant learning)
  • COSD 202 Anatomy and Physiology of Speech and Hearing Mechanisms
  • COSD 202-P Anatomy and Physiology of Speech and Hearing Mechanisms (distant learning)
  • COSD 444 Independent Research Study in Communication Sciences and Disorders
  • HON 499 Honors Projects
  • COSD 501 Introduction to Clinical Practicum
  • COSD 513 Acquired Language Disorders
  • COSD 616 Advanced Clinical Practicum and Case Study
  • COSD 616-X Independent Study: Advanced Clinical Practicum
  • COSD 640 Thesis Research in Communication Sciences and Disorders
  • COSD 670 Management of Cognitive-Communication Disorders

Publications

Klein, E. R., Mancinelli, J. M., Husak, R. S. (2025). Acquired language disorders: A case-based approach (4th ed.). Plural Publishing, Inc.

Husak, R. S., Wallace, S. E., Marshall, R. C., Meulenbroek, P. (in press). Joint decision-making communication between spouses affected by aphasia. Topics in Language Disorders.

Leaman, M. & Husak, R. S. (in press). Using systemic functional linguistics to inform assessment and treatment in neurogenic communication disorders. Topics in Language Disorders.

Bitetti, D., Byrne, L. L., Carr-Lemke, T. D., Fierson, J. L., Fornaciari, C. J., Hill, J. C., Husak, R.S., & Pierce, M. E. (in alphabetical order) (2023). Building a scholarship of teaching and learning community of practice to reinforce Lasallian values. Axis: Journal of Lasallian Higher Education, 14(2), 57-76.

Ahmadi, P., Shafiei, B., Ghasisin, L. & Husak, R. S. (2023). The effects of using video-clip stimuli in Response Elaboration Training in Persian Speakers with chronic Broca’s aphasia. Aphasiology, 37(7), 1064-1086, doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/02687038.2022.2076280

Husak, R. S., Wallace, S. E. Marshall, R. C., Visch-Brink, E. G. (2023). A systematic review of aphasia therapy provided in the early period of post-stroke recovery. Aphasiology, 37(1), 143-176. doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/02687038.2021.1987381

Afshangian, F., Nami, M., Foroughi, A. A., Rahimi, A., Husak, R. S., Fabbro, F., Tomasino, B., Kremer, C. (2017).  Coprolalia in aphasic patients with stroke: A longitudinal observation from the BLAS2T database. Neurocase, 23(5-6), 249-262. doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/13554794.2017.1387274

Husak, R. S. & Page, C. G. (2017).  The effectiveness of spaced retrieval on improving self-feeding and use of compensatory swallowing strategies in individuals with dementia residing in a long-term care facility. Evidence-Based Practice Briefs,12(2), 1-11.

Husak, R. S. Marshall, R. C., & Rowles, G. D. (2016). Understanding the experience of driving with a passenger with aphasia. Aphasiology, 30(10), 1134-1150. doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/02687038.2015.1105356

Presentations

Husak, R. S. & Martinez, A. (2024, April). Using Montessori-based interventions for decreasing response behaviors in individuals with dementia. Oral presentation. Pennsylvania Speech-Language-Hearing Association (PSHA) Convention, Pittsburgh, PA.

Beal, E., Bosacc, S. & Husak, R.S. (2024, April). I have something to say: How PWA initiate topics. Poster presentation. Pennsylvania Speech-Language-Hearing Association (PSHA) Convention, Pittsburgh, PA.

Martin, A. & Husak R. S. (2024, April). SLP’s role in addressing intimacy and communication problems after ABI. Poster presentation. Pennsylvania Speech-Language-Hearing Association (PSHA) Convention, Pittsburgh, PA.

Young, K. & Husak, R. S. (2024, April). Identifying interdisciplinary opportunities for SLP and RN students regarding aphasia. Poster presentation. Pennsylvania Speech-Language-Hearing Association (PSHA) Convention, Pittsburgh, PA.

Husak, R. S., Leaman, M. C., Keegan, L., Archer, B., Akers, C. M., Gulick, E., Groenewold, R., & Mok, Z. (November 2023). The USeFuL Project: Introducing Systemic Functional Linguistics for Assessing and Treating Neurogenic Communication Disorders. Oral presentation. American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) national convention, Boston, MA.

Husak, R. S., & Bitetti, D. (November 2023). Do Student Research Experiences Predict Favorable Outcomes for SLP Graduate Students? A Preliminary Investigation. Technical Research Presentation. American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) national convention, Boston, MA.

Young, K. & Husak, R. S. (November 2023). Identifying Opportunities for Collaborative Learning between Speech-Language Pathology and Nursing Students. Poster presentation. Oral presentation. American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) national convention, Boston, MA.

Archer, B. E, Husak, R. S., Leaman, M. C., Gulick, N., Akers, C. M., Groenewold, R, Keegan, L. & Mok, Z. (2023, March). Applying systemic functional linguistics to neurogenic communication disorders: The USEFUL (Using Systemic Functional Linguistics) Project. Poster presentation, Aphasia Access Leadership Submit, Raleigh-Durham, NC.

Husak, R. S., Marshall, R. C., Meulenbroek, P., & Wallace, S. E. (2022, June). The Impact of Aphasia on Joint Decision-Making Communication between Married Couples. Poster presentation, International Aphasia Rehabilitation Conference (IARC), Philadelphia, PA.

Bitetti, D. & Husak, R. S. (2021, November). Why Do I Need to Know This? Engaging Undergraduate Students Using Collaborative Learning. Technical Clinical-Virtual Presentation, American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) national convention, Washington DC.

Husak, R. S., Shragher, J., Klein, E. R., & Overbaugh, K. (2021, November). Do We need to do More? Assessing Healthcare Professionals’ Readiness to Serve Individuals with Aphasia. Technical Research-Virtual Presentation, American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) national convention, Washington DC.

Linden, K., Husak, R. S., Klein, E. R., & Kneavel, M. E. (2021, November). Time to Get in the Game: Opportunities for More Involvement in Sport-Related Concussion Management. Poster-Virtual, American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) national convention, Washington DC.

Husak, R. S. (2021, June). Functional Approaches for Treating Spoken Language Deficits in Aphasia. Pennsylvania Speech-Language-Hearing Association (PSHA) Virtual Convention.

Shragher, J., Husak, R. S., Klein, E., & Overbaugh, K. (2021, June). Assessing Healthcare Students’ Readiness to Care for Individuals with Aphasia. Pennsylvania Speech-Language-Hearing Association (PSHA) Virtual Convention.

Melone, E., Malinchok, K, & Husak, R. S. (2020, November). Assessing the Adequacy of Descriptions of Communication Partner Training in Aphasia Treatment Research. Poster presentation. Proposal accepted at American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) national convention, San Diego, CA (Convention canceled).

Shragher, J. Husak, R. S., Klein, E., & Overbaugh, K. (2020, November). Do We Need to Do More? Assessing Healthcare Professionals’ Readiness to Serve Individuals with Aphasia. Proposal accepted at American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) national convention, San Diego, CA (Convention canceled).

Bitetti, D. & Husak, R. S (2020, November). Why Do I Need to Know This? Engaging Undergraduate Students Using Collaborative Learning. Proposal accepted at American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) national convention, San Diego, CA (Convention canceled).

Husak, R. S., Wallace, S. E., Marshall, R. C. (2020, October). A Systematic Review of the Effects of Early Aphasia Treatment. Academy of Aphasia annual meeting, Virtual Meeting.

Husak, R. S., Marshall, R. C., Meulenbroek, P., & Wallace, S. E. (2019, November). Decision-Making Communication in Married Couples Affected by Aphasia. Technical Research, American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) national convention, Orlando, FL.

O’Donnell, A. H., Prinz, J. L., Leach, K. M., Husak, R. S., & Costello, M. (2019, November). Meaningful Communication Improvement with Speech Entrainment in a Client with Severe Broca’s Aphasia. Poster presentation, American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) national convention, Orlando, FL.

Crossley, E., Hayes, K., Rafferty, M., Husak, R. S., Klein, E., & Kleinow, J. (2019, November). Could SLPs Make a Bigger Impact in Writing Skills when Working with People with Aphasia? Poster presentation, American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) national convention, Orlando, FL.

O’Donnell, A. H., Prinz, J. L., Leach, K. M., Husak, R. S., & Costello, M. (2019, April). Meaningful Communication Improvements in a Client with Severe Broca’s Aphasia. Poster presentation, Pennsylvania Speech-Language-Hearing Association (PSHA) convention, Lancaster, PA.

Meulenbroek, P. & Husak, R. S. (2018, November) Using sociolinguistics to make sense of communication disorders after traumatic brain injury. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) national convention, Boston, MA.

Husak, R. S., Wallace, S. E., & Marshall, R. C., (2018, May). Aphasia therapy in acute and subacute stroke recovery phases: A systematic review. Clinical Aphasiology Conference (CAC), Austin, TX.

Page, C. G. & Husak, R. S. (2018, February) Can spaced retrieval improve self-feeding and/or use of swallowing strategies in individuals with dementia. Kentucky Speech-Language-Hearing Association (KSHA) convention, Lexington, KY.

Husak, R. S., Wallace, S. E., Marshall, R. C., & Anderson, C. (2017, November). The effectiveness of aphasia therapy in the acute and subacute phases of post-stroke recovery. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association national convention, Los Angeles, CA.

Husak, R. S. & Page, C. G. (2017, November). Can spaced retrieval improve self-feeding and/or use of swallowing strategies in individuals with dementia. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association national convention, Los Angeles, CA.

Husak, R. S., Wallace, S. E., Marshall, R. C., & Anderson, C. (2017, March). A systematic review Of aphasia therapy in post-stroke acute and subacute phases of recovery. UK College of Health Sciences poster. UK Center of Clinical and Translational Science 12th Annual Conference, Lexington, KY.

Husak, R.S., Freed, D.B., & Marshall, R.C. (2016, November). Aphasia therapy: An overdue report card. Oral session (seminar). American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) national convention, Philadelphia, PA.

Awards

  • Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences and Disorders (TLCSD) Fellowship, 2022-2023
  • Academy of Neurologic Communication Disorders and Sciences (ANCDS) Conference Fellowship, 2017
  • ASHA Award for Continuing Education (ACE), February 2016; June 2020
  • National Institute of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)-funded research Symposium in Clinical Aphasiology (RSCA) Fellowship, 2013
  • National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)-funded research Symposium in Clinical Aphasiology (RSCA) Fellowship, 2012
  • University of Kentucky College of Health Sciences Robinson Graduate Award for Research Creativity, 2012
  • University of Kentucky College of Health Sciences Enhancement Scholarship, 2011
  • Simpson/Switzer Speech and Hearing Scholarship, 2011
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