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(ROCKVILLE, MD – November 6, 2003) – World-renowned neurosurgeon Dr. Benjamin Carson will be the opening general session speaker at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s (ASHA) 2003 Annual Convention. The convention will take place at the McCormick Place Convention Center November 13-15, 2003. More than 12,000 speech-language pathologists, audiologists, and speech-language and hearing scientists are expected to attend.
Carson has been director of the Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, Maryland, since 1984. He is professor of neurosurgery, plastic surgery, oncology, and pediatrics. He is also the co-director of the Johns Hopkins Craniofacial Center. His practice includes traumatic brain injuries, brain and spinal cord tumors, neurological and congenital disorders, and epilepsy.
Carson has spent a lifetime working to improve the lives of children through his spirit of volunteerism and philanthropy. With his wife, Candy, Carson is the founder of the Ben Carson Lifetime Scholars, a nonprofit organization that trains high school students for a lifetime of scholarship. Carson also founded the Carson scholarship program, a nonprofit organization created to help younger children stay competitive in science, math, and technology. Carson will speak to attendees about his message of hope and dedication to children.
Basketball great Bob Love will be receiving this year’s Annie Glenn Award. Love, an NBA All -Star with the Chicago Bulls from 1968-1977, suffered from a debilitating stutter throughout his early life and through his NBA career. When his career ended, Love bused tables and washed dishes for Nordstrom’s restaurant until his boss offered to pay for a speech-language pathologist. He overcame his stuttering problem and became an advocate for people with fluency disorders, a motivational speaker, and a wonderful example of someone who has overcome may obstacles to become successful. Love is now the director of community relations for the Chicago Bulls.
Annie Glenn is known as a tireless advocate for people with communication disorders. In her honor, ASHA established the “Annie” in 1987. The award is given to a person who best exemplifies Glenn’s own invincible spirit in overcoming a fluency disorder and advocating for those with communication disorders. Both Annie and Senator John Glenn will present the award to Mr. Love.
Dr. Carson will address attendees during the opening general session, Thursday, November 13, from 6-7:30 p.m. Mr. Love will receive his award during ASHA’s annual Awards Ceremony, Friday, November 14, from 6-7:30 p.m. He is expected to receive his award at approximately 7 p.m. Both events will take place in the Arie Crown Theater of McCormick Place.
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) is the national professional, scientific, and credentialing association fore more than 110,000 audiologists, speech-language pathologists, and speech, language, and hearing scientists. Audiologists specialize in preventing and assessing hearing disorders as well as providing audiologic treatment including hearing aids. Speech-language pathologists identify, assess, and treat speech and language problems including swallowing disorders.
The press room will be located in Room E252 of McCormick Place. The press room phone number, November 13-15, will be 312/949-3217. Members of the media who wish to register for the convention or would like more information regarding specific sessions may contact Doug Plesh at 301-897-7349 or dplesh@asha.org
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