In fall 2025, two speech-language pathologists in the UAB Voice Center received Distinguished Early Career Professional (ECP) Certificates from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).
Sarah Hoch, BFA, M.S., CCC-SLP, and Jacob Wright, M.M., M.A., CCC-SLP, were among the 2025 ECP recipients. The ECP was created to recognize and identify individuals who are early in their careers in the field of audiology and speech-language pathology and making an impact in the areas of leadership, volunteering, or advocacy at the local, state, and/or national level.
“Receiving the Distinguished Early Career Award from The American Speech Language and Hearing Associations is a testament that our medical colleagues and peers from around the country acknowledge both the clinical and scholarly achievements of Sarah Hoch and Jacob Wright within the first five years of their professional careers,” said Edie Hapner, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, a professor in the UAB Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and co-director of the UAB Voice Center. “The future of voice care, teaching, scholarship, and mentorship at the UAB Voice Center is bright in the able hands of Ms. Sarah Hoch and Mr. Jacob Wright as singing voice specialists and speech-language pathologists.”
About Sarah Hoch, BFA, M.S., CCC-SLP
Hoch is a speech-language pathologist at the UAB Voice Center. After working for 10 years as a professional singer and musical theatre performer, she earned her Master of Science from the University of Pittsburgh, where she studied clinical voice under the mentorship of Leah Helou, Ph.D., CCC-SLP.
Hoch joined the UAB Voice Center for her clinical fellowship with Hapner in 2022, after which she was honored to stay on as a full-time clinician. She specializes in the interprofessional evaluation and treatment of voice and upper airway disorders, with a special clinical interest in professional and performing (singing) voice and functional voice disorders.
Her research focuses on interprofessional treatment of chronic cough, as well as the effectiveness of SPEAK OUT! therapy in patients with Parkinson’s disease, with and without deep brain stimulators. She works closely with members of the UAB Movement Disorders team and her Voice Center laryngologist colleagues.
About Jacob Wright, M.M., M.A., CCC-SLP
Wright is a speech-language pathologist who specializes in voice and upper airway conditions at the UAB Voice Center. He works closely with laryngologists and interdisciplinary partners to assess and treat complex voice and upper airway conditions, with a particular interest in care for the professional voice and gender-affirming voice care.
At UAB Medicine, Wright has helped expand programming for both gender-diverse and performing voice populations, contributing to greater access and specialized support for these communities. He’s also active in national advocacy and education through his work with PAVES (Pathway for Advanced Voice Education and Service), his involvement in ASHA programming, and regular presentations at professional conferences.
A classically trained singer with a background in vocal performance and instruction, Wright integrates artistic insight with research-based practice to help patients achieve healthier and more sustainable voices.