From March 7 through March 9 Loyola University Maryland hosted the Aphasia Access Leadership Summit which gathers professionals who help people with aphasia navigate life.

Aphasia is an impairment of language with over 200,000 new cases a year. The condition, which affects the production or comprehension of speech and the ability to read or write, is always due to injury to the brain-most commonly from a stroke, particularly in older individuals, however brain injuries resulting in aphasia may also arise from head trauma, tumors, infections, and other causes. 

Both Loyola faculty and students participated in the event with a number of students presenting posters. 

Theresa Alexander and graduate clinician Julie Carlin presented research findings from the Intensive Treatment for Aphasia Program (ITAP) at the Aphasia Access Leadership Summit. Cindy Nichols and Dr. Tepanta Fosset are also authors on the presentation.

First and second year graduate students, Ashley Myers, Kara Gwynn, Addi Smith, Sonia Singh, Andrew Salata, and Rachel Anderson, took part in clinical faculty member, Cindy Nichols’ presentation, The Benefits of Choral Singing for People with Aphasia, at the Aphasia Access Leadership Summit in Loyola University Maryland's McGuire Hall on Saturday, March 9th. 

The Loyola Clinical Center’s Aphasia Chorus entertained an enthuastic audience at the Summit. Maki Zylstra and Kara Gwynn presented Ms. Nichols’ poster on the PPA Resource And Discussion Group.