A 2017 SCSHA Honors and Awards Recipients
The South Carolina Speech Language and Hearing Association (SCSHA) proudly announced the Honors and Awards recipients at its Annual Convention held at the Embassy Suites and Convention Center in Charleston, South Carolina, on February 3, 2017. This year, SCSHA recognized outstanding individuals for their contributions to the profession and tireless efforts for advancing and enhancing the treatment and care of clients, patients, and students. This year we also recognized two recipients for the Sharonda Coleman Scholarship.
SCSHA members, family and friends attended the Annual Awards Luncheon to recognize the honorees. The luncheon featured keynote speaker Dr. Deborah Swain, Clinical Director and owner of The Swain Center for Listening, Communicating and Learning located in Santa Rosa, California. Her theme was, “Why we are Remarkable.”
Recipients of the 2017 SCSHA Honors and Awards are:
Louis M. Dicarlo Award
Dr. Carol Page PhD, CCC-SLP, ATP, CBIS, Director of the South Carolina Assistive Technology Program
Dr. Page is the face of advocacy for augmentative communication devices and assistive technologies in the state of South Carolina. Under her tutelage as the Director of the SCATP, education about this branch of Speech Language Pathology, access to devices, and community advocacy has thrived. She has completed countless in-services, trainings, guest lectures at SCSHA, offered one-to-one guidance and mentorship from the Upstate to the Low Country in clinics and public schools. Furthermore, Dr. Page shares her knowledge and skill of augmentative-alternative communication with graduate students, teaching a graduate level course in this area at the University of South Carolina. Dr. Page is a certified assistive technology professional by the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America and a member of both ASHA and SCSHA.
Frank R. Kleffner Clinical Award
Crystal A. Murphree-Holden, CCC-SLP, Clinical Supervisor, University of South Carolina
Crystal’s longstanding contributions to clinical science and practice of our field make her perfectly suited for this award. For the last 13 years, she has served as a clinical supervisor at the University of South Carolina; previously, she served as an external clinical supervisor for USC and Columbia College while working full-time as a school-based SLP. Her service as a clinical supervisor for graduate students simultaneously contributes to the clinical practice and science of our field. Chrystal Murphree-Holden’s contributions in clinical service, supervision and administration of clinical services, as well as the promotion of excellence in clinical service demonstrate her commitment to the association, to her profession, and, most importantly, to the individuals to whom she serves; the children and families with communication disorders.
The SCSHA Friend Award
Stephanie Bridgers, owner of the Local Buzz in Columbia, SC
The Local Buzz café opened in September 2015, but Stephanie began her activism many years before when two of her children were diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders. She became a warrior for her sons and then a warrior to others in her role as Parent-Partner with Family Connections of SC, where she served in this role for 8 years. Stephanie’s path however was to veer from the traditional views of advocacy into a more intimate and soul warming setting…the opening of her café. This desire stemmed from a deeply personal need. She wanted a safe place for her boys with Autism and a safe place for others with children with autism or special needs. A place where parents, siblings, friends didn’t have to feel like they had to “hush-hush” their little ones all the time. A place where each person could be their own person…a safe inviting place that has some of the most delicious made from scratch baked goods, including the ever-elusive scrumptious gluten-free ones! Stephanie’s café bridges what we do, teach, and inspire as professionals in the classroom during our Speech Therapy sessions to the local community on a daily basis!
SCSHA Professional/Program of the Year
Dr. Demarcus F. Bush, Assistant professor of audiology, South Carolina State University
Dr. Bush has experience from working in various settings such veteran’s administration, hearing clinics, university, and military installations. Dr. Bush has been a dedicated employee at South Carolina State University (SCSU) for the past 5.5 years, where he serves in as an assistant professor of audiology, clinical audiologist, and researcher. He also serves as a member of several university-wide committees. Dr. Bush’s areas of interest are Adult and Geriatric Population Hearing Disorders, Diversity in Audiology, Hearing Conservation, and Global Issues in Communication Sciences and Disorders. He also serves in various volunteer capacities including a board member of the South Carolina Speech-Language Hearing Association (Vice-President of Audiology). Furthermore, Dr. Bush volunteered in on-line teaching of introduction of audiology at the University of Guyana. This was a collaborative effort between ASHA, the Pan American Health Organization and Guyana’s Ministry of Health to assist in the expansion and sustainability of speech pathology and audiology services by creating an undergraduate speech-language pathology and audiology program among 770,000 residents.
Dr. Bush demonstrates distinction in his work performance, encourages progressive morale and collaborative efforts in his students and in his colleagues.
Jennifer Mungo Student of the Year
Ms. Marian Easler, Senior at Columbia College
Marian has maintained a 3.5 or higher GPA throughout her college career. She was selected to become a member of the Columbia College Order of the Purple Seal for her academic excellence. She is actively engaged both on campus and in the community. She is an active member of SCSHA as a convention volunteer. Marian is a Columbia College Student Ambassador where she gives campus tours, Vice-president of the Colombia College Sertoma Club as well as secretary of Omicron Delta Kappa, a national leadership honor society. Additionally, she has shown her love for others by attending over six mission trips in the US and Central America. Marian is dedicated to serving those around her and has a compassionate spirit. These positive attributes will benefit her in the speech-language pathology profession.
Ambassador
Tristan Williams, Student, Pinckney Elementary School
Tristan is an 8 year son of a Fort Jackson solider, a gifted and talented student and a stutterer. He is a military child who is no stranger to moving, meeting new people and talking about his stuttering with others. In this short time, he has made great gains and has been a teacher to all, educating anyone and everyone about stuttering and how it is “ok” to stutter, and that we are all different! In the fall of 2016, Tristan decided that talking about stuttering with his classmates and speech peers was NOT enough and his letter and picture were chosen for publication in the May, 2017 National Stuttering Magazine. His encouragement and understanding that all children are different and face different communication obstacles is to be commended for one who is so young. He wants all children to know that "everyone is special in their own way".
Sharonda Coleman Scholarship Recipients
Kennyatta Gilchrist- Columbia College
Tyler Scandrett- South Carolina State University
In Memoriam
Dr. Frank Douglas McDonald
Dr. F. Douglas McDonald was a pioneer in the field of audiology, has been a major contributor to SCSHA, to SC licensure, and to the professions of audiology and speech-language pathology. SCSHA fondly remembers Dr. F. Douglas McDonald and all that he contributed to the history and leadership of SCSHA, to licensure of speech-language pathologists and audiologists in South Carolina, and contributions to the profession of audiology.
Dr. Elaine M. Frank
Dr. Frank took a clinical program and gave it a dual focus to include both clinical and research concentrations. She was a great colleague, a fantastic department chair, and a wonderful friend to those fortunate enough to know her. She led by example, demonstrating a prolific ability as a researcher in several areas of communication disorders. A world traveler, avid Gamecocks supporter, genealogy fan, and voracious reader, Dr. Elaine Frank lived life to the fullest. Her influence and enthusiasm will continue to reverberate in the COMD department and the greater community who knew her.
The South Carolina Speech Language and Hearing Association recognize these distinguished contributions to the discipline of communication sciences and disorders. Recipients are known throughout the state for a lifetime of innovative clinical practice, insightful and rigorous research, creative administration, effective legislative activity, outstanding teaching, or other distinguished professional contributions.
SCSHA is proud to present the recipients of the association’s 2017 Awards. These outstanding individuals have made significant contributions to speech-language pathology, audiology, and speech, language, and hearing sciences. Their work has drawn well-deserved accolades from their colleagues, students and clients.
Again, congratulations and thank you for a job well done!
Dr. Nia Johnson, CCC-SLP
Vice-President, Membership and Outreach
