For 25 years, the Munroe-Meyer Institute (MMI) and the Scottish Rite Foundation of Omaha have contributed to a partnership that has benefited many children with speech and language disorders.
The 25th anniversary of this partnership was celebrated on Thursday, at the Scottish Rite Masonic Center, 202 S.20th St. Festivities included an noontime open house and informative tours of the facilities, accompanied by a Dixieland band providing entertainment. Last evening, a dinner of steak or fish was served and the cast from the Buddy Holly tribute performed an hour of songs for diners.
The Scottish Rite Foundation has provided the funding for the Scottish Rite Language Disorder Clinic at MMI, also known as RiteCare. In addition, the Scottish Rite Foundation of Nebraska has funded three smaller, MMI-staffed clinics in Lincoln, Hastings and Alliance. The clinics offer services that have advanced the education and development of children with speech and language disorders and have provided training and support for parents and teachers of children with the disorders. Last year, all four clinics treated 400 children.
“The Scottish Rite Foundation has essentially funded our entire early childhood augmentative speech program and literacy program. They provide inexpensive speech therapy to children who are speech delayed,” said Bruce Buehler, M.D., chairman of pediatrics and director of the Munroe-Meyer Institute said. “They have done an incredible job of providing the funding we need to provide speech therapy services to needy children at a reduced rate. We can’t thank them enough for their tremendous support over the past 25 years.”
Curt Edic, general secretary of the Scottish Rite Valley of Omaha, said, “It’s such a diverse institute. It’s important to support the mission of MMI. It’s been a great partnership. We have always felt it was a win-win situation for both organizations.”
Dr. Buehler said the Scottish Rite Foundation has been “actively involved in planning and a major part of the sites in Hastings, Alliance and Lincoln so we can serve more children.” He added that several members of the Scottish Rite are members of the MMI board.
In addition to providing funding for MMI’s speech and language disorder program, the Scottish Rite Foundation also provides funding for the salaries of three clinicians in the MMI Language Disorders Clinic — Paul Laikko, Suzy Dulany, and Korey Stading. Dr. Buehler said all are trained in speech pathology, augmentative communication and swallowing. Laikko, who is the supervisor of RiteCare, has been at the institute for 17 years. He is nationally recognized in childhood language, feeding and swallowing.
Dulany and Stading each has worked at RiteCare for five years. Together, they run the clinic’s preschool program. “They have excellent clinical skills, especially in the area of augmentative communication,” said Marsha Sullivan, MMI speech pathologist.
A commitment of 25 years holds significance for Dr. Buehler. “It is unbelievable commitment of an organization to stay the course and essentially, it’s all volunteer,” he said. “I’m glad we can honor their commitment after 25 years. It’s amazing to me. These are people who really care. They are dedicated.”