A highly regarded researcher, mentor and professor in speech-language pathology, Jose G. Centeno was awarded a Fellowship of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association for his outstanding contributions to the field of communications sciences and disorders.

His work focuses on promoting equity and justice in post-stroke aphasia care in older adults.

The fellowship is a top national honor awarded to those who stand out among their peers and who have made a significant impact within their community or state and beyond.

For nearly 30 years, Centeno has conducted and published research on post-stroke rehabilitation in older adults experiencing aphasia and other speech-language disorders and presented at national and international conferences, including invited presentations at such places as Israel, Germany, Chile, Taiwan, and Spain.

He is known for his commitment to providing evidence-based, socially responsive services to geriatric people from culturally diverse backgrounds, especially those with aphasia, a communication disorder often resulting from strokes.

“He is one of the top scholars, educators, and servant leaders worldwide in the area of integrating social justice, anti-racism, and culturally responsive practices in speech-language pathology,” stated his nomination, which came from an association member unaffiliated with SHP.

In SHP’s Master of Science in Speech-language Pathology program, which emphasizes services for multiethnic, socially diverse populations, Centeno has provided mentorship, quality instruction and used his expertise to develop an innovative diversity-focused curriculum.

His work has encouraged faculty, researchers, and clinicians in the profession to focus on the scientific basis and the socio-political context required to effectively serve older adults from vulnerable populations.