Tom was a full professor, with tenure, at Salem State University (SSU) for eighteen years, teaching courses in communication sciences & disorders, inclusive education, education policy, and social justice. He teaches Introduction to Audiology in our online prerequisites for the health professions course offerings.
Previous to this, he directed the aural rehabilitation program at Boston University. Throughout this period, Tom had long-term consultancies with the Department of Public Health and the Division of Medical Assistance (Medicaid) for the Commonwealth, responsible for program development and budget management of these two statewide hearing healthcare programs. Tom served as program coordinator for Cape Cod Community College’s efforts on Martha’s Vineyard, overseeing all aspects of this satellite campus on the island. Tom was also a consultant and faculty member for the Canada-Qatar Health Partnership in Doha. Currently, he serves as executive director of Hospice of Martha’s Vineyard.
Professionally, Tom served as President of both the Massachusetts Speech-Language-Hearing Association and the Council of State Association Presidents. He
served on numerous committees and councils for the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), including the Legislative Council, Political
Action Committee, Multicultural Issues Board, and, most notably, the Board of Directors, serving as their Vice-President for Government Relations and Public Policy from 2009-11.
In his community, Tom served as a Dukes County Commissioner overseeing county government on Martha’s Vineyard and the Elizabeth Islands. In his years as a commissioner, he spearheaded the county’s annual budget process of $1.5 million and was intimately involved with the county’s efforts to secure a permanent home for the Center for Living – a cornerstone of the island’s healthy aging initiative.
Internationally, Tom has worked and/or consulted in the countries of Cambodia, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Qatar and South Africa. Much of his work within each of these settings has focused on education policy, program development, healthcare initiatives, and the educational and civil rights of individuals with disabilities. Tom has consulted with a number of NGOs and in-country agencies on policy issues related to inclusive education, teacher training, curriculum development, as well as access and equity issues as they relate to adequate education for all children. He has also worked with universities in these countries to build professional capacity through faculty education and program development.
Tom received his BS in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology from SUNY Geneseo, his MA in Audiology from The Ohio State University, his MEd in Administration, Planning and Social Policy from Harvard University, and his ScD in Audiology from Boston University. He is a recipient of a number of state and national awards, including a CASE Fellowship from Harvard University in 2005 and a Fulbright Scholar
Award to the University of Jordan in 2012.
- B.S. Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology, SUNY Geneseo, 1980
- M.A. Audiology, The Ohio State University, 1984
- Sc. D. Audiology, Boston University, 1995
- M.Ed. Administration, Planning and Social Policy, Harvard University, 2005