WHO ARE WE?

It all began with one person with aphasia...

Rose Shuff and Jack Damico founded the Aphasia Center of Acadiana in 2010.

Rose had experienced aphasia for years. She knew there were no aphasia resources in our area. 

Rose wanted to connect people with aphasia.

She wanted to fight against social isolation from this silent disability.

​Jack was a professor at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. He agreed with Rose.

Together, they created the Aphasia Center of Acadiana. 

Since 2010, the Aphasia Center has provided support and aphasia awareness to the Acadiana community.

And we're just getting started.

Our mission is to:
- Support people with aphasia and their families
- Increase independence 
- Increase participation in daily life

We advocate for aphasia awareness.
We support our own dynamic identities.
Watch us do both in this video!

Meet our Volunteer Team!

Our Board Members work behind the scenes to run the Aphasia Center smoothly.
(​Want to join our public Board Meetings? Email us!)

​Rose Shuff
​

Founder & CEO

Jamie Azios
PhD, CCC-SLP

President &
​Vice President of Research

Maria Mengis
MS, PL/CCC-SLP

Vice President of Communications

Christine Weill
PhD, CCC-SLP

Vice President of
Board Communications

Vicky Taylor Brignac

Vice President of Events

Ashley Kidd
MS, L/CCC-SLP

Vice President of Finance
General Board Members:
  • Becca Bowers, PLPC
  • Mary McMahon, MS, L/CCC-SLP
  • Payton Nelson, MS, PL/CF-SLP
  • Claire Thom
  • Kate Schneider
Our Community Group Facilitators lead all of our activity groups. 
They are trained speech-language pathologists.
(Want to join a community group? Sign up under "Contact Us.")

Maria Mengis
MS, PL/CCC-SLP

Out and About Lafayette Facilitator
Support Group Facilitator
Lunch Bunch Facilitator
Brewe Krewę Facilitator
​Game Group Facilitator

Mary McMahon
MS, L/CCC-SLP

Out and About New Iberia Facilitator
​Support Group Facilitator

Warren Brown
PhD, CCC-SLP

Black Aphasia Group Facilitator

Kylie Langlinais
MS, L/CCC-SLP

Support Group Facilitator

Payton Nelson​
MS, PL/CF-SLP

Bible Study Facilitator
​Toastmasters Facilitator
Game Group Facilitator
​Support Group Facilitator
Our Speech Pathologist Affiliates are our proud partners in the community.
They provide quality aphasia services and work with us to help people with aphasia.

Chelsie Huval
MS, CCC-SLP

Huval Speech Services

Nicole Hebert
MS, CCC-SLP

Vermilion Speech and Language Therapy

Lindsey Dalton
MS, CCC-SLP

Ochsner Lafayette General

Our Company Affiliate, Iberia Medical Center, hosts our New Iberia Support Group and refers us to people with aphasia needing our services.
We also work with many other friends, including the UL Speech Language and Hearing Center and community partners like Cafe Sydnie Mae in Breaux Bridge.
Enjoy some photos of our fun together!