Today, June 19, 2014, we lost an amazing teacher and an inspiration for many of us in the field of dysphagia and beyond:

Dr Jerilyn “Jeri” Logemann, world-renowned professor and researcher in the field of speech-language pathology and dysphagia

Dr Logemann was our pioneer for those of us who have dedicated our lives to the study of dysphagia.

I owe my life and career to her. Many of us do.

She changed Speech-Language Pathology forever by adding the study of swallowing and swallowing disorders (dysphagia) to our field in the late 1970’s to 1980’s.

Thank you for advocating for patients and mentoring all of us, pushing us to always make sure the evidence supports what we do.

Her spirit will live on!

The American Speech-Language and Hearing Association (ASHA) and Dysphagia Research Society (DRS) have tributes to her:

DRS:

“A Message from the President

June 20, 2014

It is with great sadness that I inform you that Jeri Logemann passed away. Dr. Logemann was a pioneer in the field of dysphagia. She served as the President of DRS in 2001. Dr. Logemann also served as the President of ASHA and was an ASHA Fellow. With her passing away, we have lost a true scientist, a great mentor, a strong patient advocate, and most of all, a kind, true friend. We will miss her greatly.

Sincerely,

Kulwinder Dua
MD, DMSc, FRCP (Edinburgh), FACP, FRCP (London), FASGE
DRS President”

ASHA:

“ASHA is saddened by the passing of Jeri Logemann and is grateful for her lifelong dedication to patients, students, and the profession of speech-language pathology.” – ASHA 2014 President Elizabeth S. McCrea, PhD, CCC-SLP

Please see the two subsequent blogs I wrote in honor of Dr Logemann:

1) Remember our Roots: Jeri A Logemann. This was written prior to the 2015 Dysphagia Research Society annual meeting.

2) A Time to Celebrate Jeri Logemann. This was written after the 2015 DRS annual meeting, reporting on the tribute that the Society and Northwestern University held in her honor.

Dr. Jerilyn A. Logemann, PhD, CCC-SLP, BCS-S