Students and faculty from across Midwestern University came together in October for the 10th annual Aphasia and Stroke Awareness Event, hosted by the Speech-Language Pathology Program and the University’s chapter of the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA), at the Midwestern University Clinics in Downers Grove.
The annual event, first held in 2014, was inspired by a client living with aphasia who wanted to help others better understand the condition and foster communication within the community. Aphasia is a language disorder caused by damage to areas of the brain responsible for speech and comprehension.
This year’s event brought together about 100 attendees, including faculty, students, and community members. Participants heard presentations from students representing multiple healthcare disciplines, including Speech-Language Pathology, Osteopathic Medicine, Dental Medicine, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Optometry, and Clinical Psychology. Community members living with aphasia or the aftereffects of stroke also shared their personal experiences.
Judith Ball, M.S., CCC-SLP, Clinical Professor of Speech-Language Pathology and event coordinator, reflected on the milestone: “I can’t believe I’ve been coordinating this event for 10 years, and it continues to grow each year to include more disciplines. It’s a true example of interprofessional collaboration.”
In one memorable moment, clients joined together in song, performing Tom Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down,” underscoring the resilience and community spirit that define the event.
The Aphasia and Stroke Awareness Event continues to embody Midwestern University’s One Health Initiative by fostering interdisciplinary learning and compassion-driven healthcare for all.
About Midwestern University
Midwestern University is a private, not-for-profit graduate and postgraduate institution specializing in the health sciences. The University serves more than 6,800 students across two campuses. The 105-acre Downers Grove Campus in Illinois includes seven colleges: the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine; the College of Pharmacy, Downers Grove; the College of Health Sciences–Downers Grove Campus; the College of Dental Medicine–Illinois; the Chicago College of Optometry; the Proposed College of Veterinary Medicine–Illinois; and the College of Graduate Studies. The University also operates an 11-acre clinical campus that includes the Midwestern University Multispecialty Clinic and the future Companion Animal Clinic. The 134-acre Glendale Campus in Arizona includes eight colleges: the Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine; the College of Pharmacy, Glendale; the College of Health Sciences–Glendale Campus; the College of Dental Medicine–Arizona; the Arizona College of Optometry; the College of Veterinary Medicine-Arizona; the College of Graduate Studies; and the Arizona College of Podiatric Medicine. The campus also features five community clinics on a 40-acre clinical campus: the Midwestern University Multispecialty Clinic, Dental Institute, Eye Institute, Animal Health Institute, and Therapy Institute.