In memory of Davetrina Seles Gadson, PhD, CCC-SLP

 
 

Our beloved colleague, Dr. Davetrina Seles Gadson, passed away January 11, 2025. Dr. Gadson was an extraordinary speech-language pathologist and neuroscience researcher who devoted her energy to studying health disparities in aphasia recovery. She was a fierce advocate for improving services for individuals with aphasia, particularly Black Americans. Her research transformed our understanding of these health disparities and shed light on how we can address them. We were privileged to have Dr. Gadson as a cherished member of our lab community for four years, first as a postdoctoral fellow and then as an Instructor of Rehabilitation Medicine. She was still a close collaborator and friend to many of us at the time of her passing. Dr. Gadson was an incredible person—compassionate, inspiring, and full of life. Her dedication to advancing equity in aphasia recovery and her profound impact on our community will never be forgotten. We are committed to honoring her memory by continuing to push our field forward and fight for equitable services for all people with aphasia. 

Learn more about Dr. Gadson’s work  

  • Gadson and Turkeltaub (2025) Eight ways speech-language pathologists can contribute to health equity: the case of Black stroke survivors with aphasia (Link coming soon)

  • Brain Friends Podcast 

Dr. Turkeltaub’s reflections on Dr. Gadson and her legacy

 Help continue Dr. Gadson’s mission by giving to one of these two grants in her honor  

The Davetrina Seles Gadson, PhD Scholars Fund through Georgetown University supports junior scholars who aim to follow in Dr. Gadson’s footsteps and continue her mission to improve equity for stroke survivors. It will provide support for students, postdoctoral fellows, or clinicians conducting research or developing programs to improve outcomes for underserved individuals with stroke or other brain injuries, or for scholars from underrepresented groups to gain training on the brain basis of stroke recovery. 

  • To give online, click here. Scroll down to the OTHER box and type in: Davetrina Seles Gadson, PhD Scholars Fund (GUMC) 

  • To give by check, make checks made payable to: Georgetown University Note: Davetrina Seles Gadson, PhD Scholars Fund (GUMC) 

  • Mail check by U.S. Mail (USPS) to: 
    Georgetown University 
    Gift Processing 
    Department Number 0734 
    Washington, DC 20073-0734 

  • Or Send check by UPS or FedEx to: 
    Georgetown University 
    Office of Gift Administration 
    2115 Wisconsin Ave. NW 
    Suite 500 
    Washington, DC 20007 
    202-687-1690 

 

The Davetrina Seles Gadson Health Equity Grant Program through the National Aphasia Association is an initiative designed to support innovative projects that address systemic inequities in aphasia care and research. By empowering individuals and organizations to take meaningful action, the NAA aims to continue Dr. Gadson’s legacy of advocacy and impact. Details on grant eligibility, application guidelines, and timelines will be available soon. 

  • To give online to the NAA, click here and note Dr. D. Seles Gadson in the “memorial” notation. 

  • To give by check, make checks made payable to: NAA or National Aphasia Association with a notation of: Dr. D. Seles Gadson memorial 
    Mail check to: National Aphasia Association, Inc 
    5448 Apex Peakway Drive 
    Suite 232 
    Apex, NC 27502