Alumnus Paul Rao Receives ASHA Honors

Paul Rao, HESP Ph.D. ’85, received the distinction of Honors from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). The Honors of the Association recognizes members for their distinguished contributions to the discipline of communication sciences and disorders and is the highest honor that ASHA bestows. It is well-known as one of the most significant awards in the field.

Dr. Rao has served as a visiting professor in the Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences for many years, and is a past member of the BSOS Board of Visitors and a past chair of the HESP Advisory Board.

His long and distinguished career includes outstanding service at the National Rehabilitation Hospital (NRH), now Medstar, which specializes in treating persons with physical disabilities. The network comprises 10 hospitals and 50 out-patient centers. Paul began as Director of the SLP Services, and took on many roles with the organization, including co-director of the Stroke Recovery Program, and vice president of In-Patient Operations and Compliance.

In addition to his service to BSOS and to UMD, Dr. Rao also served in leadership roles with many charitable and SLP field organizations, including the Children’s Guild and the Maryland Board of Examiners for Audiologists and Speech Pathologists.

Professionally and as a volunteer, Dr. Rao’s mission is to serve.

“Paul’s expertise in patient care, particularly for patients with aphasia, is recognized by his peers. He uses that compassionate understanding to advocate for individuals with communication disorders,” said Professor Nan Bernstein Ratner, who is a Fellow and Honors recipient in ASHA. Professor Ratner joined with many other professionals in recommending Dr. Rao for ASHA honors, and guided his nomination.

“I have long admired Paul Rao and benefited from his foresight and leadership in many arenas,” Professor Ratner said.

In accepting the award, Dr. Rao thanked his wife of more than 50 years, Martina, for “her faith in God and me, and for her amazing love and support of our family.” He also thanked many colleagues, including Ratner, as well as his original and longstanding mentor, Dr. David Resnick, who received the University of Maryland’s first Ph.D. in audiology. 

The HESP and BSOS communities are grateful to Dr. Rao and to Martina Rao for their loyal support. The Raos have supported the university in many ways, including a recent additional gift of $50,000 toward a fund they had previously established.

“We are grateful to the Raos for not only their gifts, but for the expertise and leadership they have shared with our department over the years,” said Professor and Chair Rochelle Newman.

Story published on Oct. 22, 2021. Photo of Paul and Martina Rao courtesy of the Raos.

Published on Fri, Oct 22, 2021 - 11:18AM