Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, August 3, 1995 TAG: 9508040075
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S10 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: ELLEN DAVIES SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
``If you mention speech pathology in the Roanoke Valley, the immediate thought goes to Joan Dorsey. She was the founder of speech pathology in the Roanoke Valley,'' said Karen Black, president of the region's Speech and Language Pathologists Network.
Speech pathology has advanced tremendously since its formation, said Dorsey. ``There is much more in-depth knowledge now...I think when I first went into the field people thought sound patterns and articulations helped people talk and now we know it there is so much more involved. The understanding of language is so crucial.''
Since 1961, Dorsey has been part of the Roanoke Valley Speech & Hearing Center, a United Way partner agency.
``Joan was a part of not just helping get the center off the ground, but she was a part of training other speech pathologists to be out in the community and function in other settings," says the center's executive director, Richard Hawkins.
Reflecting on her career, Dorsey maintains that she does not see herself in the exceptional light which others portray her.
``Generally, across the board, I feel rewarded with the contacts that I have had," Dorsey said. "I feel that I have been a recipient much more than I have been a giver.''
A graduate of University of Virginia, Dorsey says her choice in professions was not a common one during her studies in the late 40s and early 50s.
Although only four other students were in her class at the university, Dorsey maintains that for her, the career choice was clear. ``I always wanted to be in a health-related career. l loved talking, and I heard about speech correction.
``I became really enchanted with the field. I thought I could work with children and still have fun talking and help them communicate better.''
The profession gave Dorsey the means to help people overcome hardships. ``I can't think of anything more important than interacting with other human beings," Dorsey said, "be it with family, friends or at the workplace.''
It is her ability to communicate so masterfully with her patients and fellow staff members that makes Dorsey the accomplished therapist that she is, according to her contemporaries.
``Our field is kind of iffy," Black said. "It is not like the medical field where, if you do this type of surgery, this problem is going to be fixed, or if you use this type of pill, you are going to talk again. This field is kind of like psychology where you've got to use a lot of therapy techniques, and Joan was excellent with it.''
Dorsey's dedication and commitment, led to her to success, Hawkins said.
Dorsey sees patients "as people first and not just as speech and language problems,'' he said.
Dedication to her patients was just a portion of Dorsey's commitment to the profession, according to Black.
"Joan has supervised probably half of the therapists in the Roanoke Valley or at least has worked with them," Black said. "She has taught us how to care for the patients. You hug them when they are sad or say it is OK that they can't do it and get frustrated.
"She really taught us all tender loving care.''
Ann Orem, a speech/language pathologist for Roanoke County Schools, sees Dorsey not only as an excellent therapist, but also as a mentor. ``A lot of the new graduates have started off with her at the center," Orem said. "They really unanimously say that she gave them a really firm foundation and wings to fly.''
For Black, Dorsey's role as mentor goes beyond that of normal student-teacher bonds, since as Black explains, Dorsey was once her speech therapist.
``When I was 15, I had nodules, which are blisters on the vocal cords," Black said. "I had to change my habits, and Joan taught me how. She was great.''
For Dorsey, the role of mentor is one that she finds hard to associate with herself. ``I never thought of myself as a mentor until people recently told me that I have been," she said. "It's quite a high compliment.''
Dorsey says the opportunity to work with new graduates was a chance to gain insight. She stayed at Roanoke Valley Speech & Hearing Center Inc., she says, because it afforded her the chance to work with young professionals in addition to the supportive staff at the facility.
Looking forward to her retirement, Dorsey plans to spend more time with her mother and her seven grandchildren.
``I just feel the time is right,'' Dorsey said.
For others, Dorsey's departure will be sorely missed. ``It's going to leave a big empty spot. We do have somebody coming in to fill her role, but nobody could ever fill her shoes,'' Hawkins said.
Memo: this story also ran August 8 in Current