Speech-Language Pathologist since 1971
I earned my Ph.D. at the University of Iowa in 1976 (the University of Iowa has consistently been rated by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association [ASHA] as the number university in the U.S. for my profession). I was a university professor for 35 years, teaching at West Virginia University for 3 years and the University of the Pacific (UOP) in Stockton, California for 32 years. During many summers I worked in acute, subacute, and convalescent hospitals and rehabilitation centers seeing patients with strokes (CVAs), traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and other neurological disorders. I worked directly with physicians and nurses and did co-treatments with physical, occupational, and respiratory therapists. The last 3 years at University of the Pacific I worked out of the Provost’s Office developing special courses for the university. I retired in 2012 and was honored with being awarded Professor Emeritus status.
My university teaching included courses in the Introduction to Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, Anatomy and Physiology of Speech and Language, Neurology and Neuropathologies in Adults and Children, Motor Speech Disorders (apraxia and dysarthria), Dysphagia/Swallowing Disorders, Gerontology, Cerebral Palsy, Voice Disorders, Cleft Palate and Orofacial Anomalies, and Counseling Skills for Speech-Language Pathologists.
I have presented at numerous state, national, and international conventions and conferences on a variety of topics. I am currently presenting all-day workshops and seminars on Traumatic Brain Injury in Children and Adolescents and Counseling Skills for Speech-Language Pathologists.
Textbooks and therapy materials that I have authored or coauthored are used in universities, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, clinics, and private practices throughout the U.S. and in several other countries. Other publications include articles on several topics such as neurological disorders in adults and children, attention deficit disorders, counseling skills for speech-language pathologists and audiologists, and private practice.