Honoring the Legacy of Dr. Davetrina Seles Gadson
“Make your dreams your reality.” – Dr. Davetrina Seles Gadson
The University of Georgia and the Mary Frances Early College of Education community are proud to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Davetrina Seles Gadson — a beloved colleague, brilliant scholar, and fierce advocate for equity in healthcare — through the creation of an endowed student support fund. The Dr. Davetrina Seles Gadson Memorial Fund will support graduate students in the Communication Sciences and Disorders program who demonstrate a strong interest in aphasia and a commitment to advancing care for individuals affected by it.
Dr. Gadson became the first African American to earn a Ph.D. in Communication Sciences and Disorders at UGA in 2019. A speech-language pathologist and neuroscience researcher, she focused on racial disparities in aphasia recovery, often caused by stroke or brain injury, and brought national attention to these issues, inspiring future clinicians and researchers.
Following her passing in January 2025, colleagues, students, and friends came together with one shared thought: we must carry on her mission.
To continue her legacy, Dr. Nina Santus and Mr. Jeff Rieter have established this fund to support UGA CMSD graduate students committed to serving individuals with aphasia—whether through therapy, research, advocacy, or by advancing equitable care in aphasia and related fields.
We have pledged to raise $25,000 to swiftly endow the fund and ensure that Dr. Gadson’s vision lives on through the students and future leaders she continues to inspire.
Please visit the Brain Friends Podcast, which was one of Dr. Gadson’s projects.
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