Mission
The Aphasia Center of West Texas seeks to improve the quality of life of individuals and families living with aphasia by overcoming communication barriers.
History
The Aphasia Center of West Texas sprang from the motivation of two people - Chuck Matthews, a respected businessman who suffered a debilitating stroke, and his daughter, Kathryn Shelley.
The people of Midland Texas rallied in September of 2001 when Midland Memorial Foundation, the Scarborough-Linebery Foundation and a host of community foundations, healthcare entities and individuals came together to help. Dedicated volunteer and philanthropist Nancy Anguish stepped forward as Founding Board President. An experienced Board of Directors was recruited in March of 2002, new clients were added that October, and the organization achieved its official 501(c)(3) status by February of 2003. Nancy's vision and committment led to a Jefferson Award in 2007.
In December of 2003, via a training grant from the Helen Greathouse Charitable Trust, staff and Board members received training at the oldest program in the world, the Aphasia Institute of Toronto, joining representatives from China, England, France and Canada. It is the Life Participation Approach now offered to the people of West Texas.
Board of Directors
- Betty Sumner, President
- Community Volunteer.
- Jimmy Stallings, President-Elect
- Public Accountant
Stallings & Hearn
CPA.- Louan Rogers, Secretary
- Community Volunteer.
- Mary Jane Young, Treasurer
- Community Volunteer.
- Suzy Boldrick
- Community Volunteer.
- John Foster, Jr., M.D.
- Neurologist
private practice.- Jonathan King
- Sales Manager, Warren Cat.
- Lori Wesley
- VP, West Texas National Bank.
- Evelyn Gould
- Community Volunteer.
- Robyn Kedzie
- Case Management Director
Midland Memorial Hospital
- T.J. McClure
- Architect
Rhotenberry Wellen Architects.- Harry Nutter
- Petroleum Landman
Fasken Oil & Ranch.- Jo Anne Richards
- Past owner
Acrylic Images.- Levi Stone, R.N., M.S.N., B.C.
- Chief Nursing Officer
Odessa Regional Medical Center.- Roxane Strickling
- Community volunteer.
- Janice Thompson
- Community volunteer.
- Lori Wingate, M.S.N., R.N.,GNP-C
- Asst. Professor
Texas Tech Health Sciences Center
School of Nursing- Dianne Williams
- Office Manager
Herff Jones
Advisory Council
- Nancy Anguish
- Founding President
community volunteer.- Gregory Bartha, M.D.
- Family Physician.
- Lawrence Buxton, M.D.
- Rehabilitation Hospital Director and Neurologist
private practice.- Greg Dove
- Senior Landman
Henry Petroleum Corporation
- Barbara Jowell
- Executive Director
Midland Memorial Hospital Foundation- Tulsi Dyal Singh, M.D.
- Family physician
private practice- Tim Thompson
- Management consultant
Staff
- Kathryn Shelley
- Executive Director.
- Carolyn Tripp
- Associate Director.
- Beth Crawford, M.S., CCC/SLP
- Speech/Language Pathologist.
- Tandi Poitevint
- M.S. CF/SLP
- Shun Kelley
- Communication Coach.
- Miriam Lujan
- Certified Nursing Assistant.
- Kenda Prather
- Event and Office Manager
