Southeastern professor receives national honors

Tuesday, December 16, 2014 Nina Simmons-Mackie
by:  Rene Abadie

HAMMOND – Southeastern Louisiana University Scholar in Residence Nina Simmons-Mackie has received two major awards for contributions to the professions of speech, language and hearing.

Mackie was recognized at the recent annual meeting of the Academy of Neurological Communication Disorders, an international organization dedicated to promoting quality services for individuals with neurologic disorders. The award recognized her for groundbreaking research, clinical work and advocacy for individuals with aphasia.

Mackie also received the Honors of the Association Award from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. That award recognizes individuals whose contributions have enhance or altered the course of the professions. It is the highest honor the ASHA bestows.

"All of us, faculty and students, are extremely proud of the honors bestowed on Dr. Mackie, which recognize her lifetime of innovative clinical practice and insightful, rigorous research," said Jacqueline Guendouzi, head of the Southeastern Department of Health and Human Sciences. "Her creative teaching methods, along with other outstanding professional contributions at the international level, make her worthy of these prestigious honors."

Simmons-Mackie has served in the university's communication sciences and disorders program since 1995, where she teaches graduate level courses in adult aphasia, discourse and conversation, and neuropathologies of communication, as well as conducting independent research.

Mackie has worked in clinical services at Tulane School of Medicine Speech Pathology Department, the Louisiana Rehabilitation Institute and Touro Infirmary in New Orleans. She serves on the Advisory Council of the National Aphasia Association and on the executive board of Aphasia United. She is a past president of the Academy of Neurologic Communication Disorders and Sciences. Her previous awards include being named to the VA Speech Language Pathology Hall of Fame, the Charity Hospital Outstanding Professional Award, the Outstanding Volunteer Award and Leadership Award from the American Heart Association.

A resident of Abita Springs, she has received degrees from LSU and Tulane University.

 




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