UofM, Methodist and Le Bonheur Partner to Enhance Operations at Speech & Hearing Center

July 28, 2016- Under a new partnership, Methodist Healthcare and Le Bonheur Children's Hospital will soon manage the business operations of the Memphis Speech & Hearing Center (MSHC), housed in the School of Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Memphis.

The term of the agreement runs from Sept. 1, 2016, through Aug. 31, 2019.

Under the partnership, the two organizations will manage business operations, including billing and electronic medical records. MSHC clinical staff will continue to work for the University of Memphis; students will continue to have access to clients and faculty in the clinic.

The partnership will allow MSHC to greatly enhance the programs it offers to the community. "Together, the UofM, Methodist Healthcare and Le Bonheur are deepening their resolve to serve the community by providing expert services and care to those with speech and hearing disorders across the Mid-South," said UofM President M. David Rudd. "Our growing partnership is just one example of how the UofM seeks to maximize its corporate relationships for the benefit of the entire community. We look forward to enhanced service and student achievement as a result of this partnership."

Danielle Keeton, director of Outpatient Rehab and Developmental Services at Le Bonheur, said, "Being an alumna of the UofM School of Communication Sciences and Disorders, I am personally honored to be involved in this partnership. The programmatic strengths of Methodist, Le Bonheur and the UofM combined will create a platform for innovation and the highest clinical quality. We are excited to gain the clinical expertise of the nationally ranked UofM faculty, and we share the Memphis Speech & Hearing Center's passion for serving our Mid-South community."

Dr. Linda Jarmulowicz, interim dean of the School of Communication Sciences and Disorders, said, "This unique partnership could become a national model for clinical training of communication healthcare providers. We are excited that our students of speech-language pathology and audiology will have expanded opportunities to be supervised onsite in the Memphis Speech & Hearing Center before being sent offsite for clinical training. The additional opportunities for students to learn electronic medical records procedures before they go into the workforce will enhance their employability. Conversely, Methodist and Le Bonheur staff will have the opportunity to work with us, to have access to faculty and to develop new programs with us."

UofM Provost Karen Weddle-West added, "The partnership connects the School of CSD's state-of-the-art facility with the Methodist and Le Bonheur network, while maintaining the Memphis Speech & Hearing Center's mission of high-quality, innovative services to the community and clinical education for the students in the School. We hope to see continued growth in the clinic and the School over the next few years."

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Gabrielle Maxey
901.678.2135
gmaxey@memphis.edu