News and Events
Youngerman Center Welcomes new Audiologist, Dr. Melanie Zimmer, and bids adieu to Dr. Marc Wilcox
A career spanning three decades drew to a close at the end of September with the retirement of Dr. Marc Wilcox, audiologist at the Henry C. Youngerman Center for Communication Disorders at SUNY Fredonia. The department has welcomed Dr. Melanie Zimmer, a Buffalo native, as the center’s new clinical audiologist. Learn more.
Stroke/Head Injury Support Group, Winter-Spring 2025
All Meetings are on Tuesdays at 3 p.m. in E148 Thompson Hall on these dates:
- February 18
- March 4 & 25
- April 1 & 15
- May 6
The Youngerman Center offers support group meetings free for stroke and head injury survivors and their family members. A typical group meeting includes activities to assist stroke and head injury survivors use compensatory strategies to improve their communication skills, to provide educational information, and to provide an opportunity to socialize and share experiences. Light refreshments are provided.
The Youngerman Center recognizes that there are individuals in our community whose insurance benefits for therapy have been exhausted but whose hopes for improvement remain. Please contact Julie Williams, Coordinator (Julie.Williams@fredonia.edu, 716-673-4618 or 716-673-3203) for more information about attending this group.
Allison Schoenfeld (Class of 2005) returns to Fredonia to present Continuing Education Workshop
On Friday, October 25, 2024, the Department of Communication Disorders and Sciences hosted a Continuing Education Conference for local Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) and related professionals. The seven-hour workshop, titled, Foundations of Oral Function: Exploring Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders (OMDs) and Tethered Oral Tissues (TOTs). The presenter was Alison Schoenfeld (M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology, Class of 2005). Allison is an ASHA Certified and California licensed pediatric SLP with 20 years of experience. She owns Strides In Speech, a private practice that specializes in Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders & airway-focused care. Eighty-five attendees reviewed orofacial anatomy and physiology, etiology, as well as related signs and symptoms and engaged in discussion regarding assessment and intervention strategies. Collaborative management approaches, case studies, and interactive discussion were also part of the workshop. SUNY Fredonia faculty and staff, as well as students and community members participated. Mrs. Allison Manning and Ms. Sandra Eichner were instrumental in planning and organizing this well received workshop.
Thank you, Allison, and to all who participated!
CDS Provides Hearing Screenings at Unified Champion School Summit
Approximately 250 students, teachers and staff members from 16 local high schools attended the Unified Champion School Summit on the SUNY Fredonia campus on September 30. This event served as 'kick-off' for Unified Sports for the school year. As stated on the Special Olympics website: Unified Sports joins people with and without intellectual disabilities on the same team. It was inspired by a simple principle: training together and playing together is a quick path to friendship and understanding.
Fredonia’s Department of Communication Disorders and Sciences offered free hearing screening to any students, faculty, and staff from the participating schools. In total, 33 screenings took place. Overall, it was a great day for all involved.
Service Dog Onboard for Class of 2024 M.S in Speech-Language Pathology Graduate
Our recent graduate, Madison Evans, and her service dog, Sunny, are featured in this article.
Services at the Youngerman Center for Communication Disorders
See Youngerman Center Provides Speech-Language and Hearing Services Across the Lifespan.
Audiology and Speech-Language Services at the Youngerman Center are open to the campus & community. Community members may call for an appointment at 716-673-3203.
Continuing Education Conference: Trauma-Informed Care for Providers, with Rachel Archambault
Thank you to Rachel Archambault, M.A., CCC-SLP, for presenting on Trauma-Informed Care for providers on Friday, October 13, 2023 at SUNY Fredonia. 55 providers, including speech-language pathologists, social workers, nurses, billers, and graduate students attended. The positive feedback regarding the presentation is a testament to Rachel's commitment to and knowledge of Trauma-Informed Care and the difference it can make in people's lives.
Are you a prospective student?
Our program is happy to host you. Contact communicationdisorders.Sciences@fredonia.edu to schedule your visit.
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