Martha Mullins-Callender Award
In 1989, the Communication Disorders Foundation of Virginia established the Martha Mullins-Callender Award in Martha's memory. This award is presented to an individual currently working in the field of communication disorders who is an example of Martha's belief in the ability of an individual to overcome all obstacles to ensure that the services we deliver, the profession we represent, and the professional organization that serves us (our "products") flourish in the marketplace.
2026 Martha Mullins-Callender Recipient
Rebecca Epperly M.S., CCC‑SLP
Rebecca Epperly is honored in recognition of her extraordinary leadership, mentorship, and unwavering commitment to strengthening the profession of speech‑language pathology in Virginia. As Clinic Director of the Radford University Speech‑Language‑Hearing Clinic and co‑founder of the Radford University Brain Injury Center, she has expanded access to high‑quality, life‑participation–focused services in a medically underserved region while building sustainable clinical and educational infrastructure.
She is widely respected for elevating standards of care and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, as well as for her transformative mentorship of both students and faculty. Rebecca cultivates a culture of excellence, integrity, and accountability, guiding graduate clinicians to develop strong clinical reasoning, ethical judgment, and professional confidence. Her mentorship further extends to faculty colleagues through collaboration, program development, and the modeling of thoughtful, principled leadership.
Through vision, perseverance, and deep professional stewardship, Rebecca Epperly exemplifies the enduring legacy of Martha Mullins Callender and serves as a true champion of communication disorders services in the Commonwealth.
Martha Mullins-Calender Award Recipients
1990 Margaret McElroy
1991 Lissa Power-deFur
1993 Ralph Bralley
1994 Patti Peters
1995 Martha Bountress
1996 Carol James
1997 Barbara Fee
1998 Pat Dewey
1999 Birdie Minor
2000 Henry Hecker
2001 Danny Gnewikow
2004 Sally Jones-McNamara
2005 Gayle Daly
2006 Jessica Norton
2008 Brenda C. Seal
2009 Angie Coggin
2010 Valerie H. St. John
2013 Gary Pillow
2014 C. Edward Vann
2015 Rita Purcell-Robertson
2017 Marie Ireland
2018 Laura Phillips Griesbach
2019 Darlene robke
2020 Anastasia Raymer
2021 LaVAE Hoffman
2023 Peggy Agee
2024 Laura Purcell Verdun
Catherine Thompson
2025 Dorian Lee-WILKERSON
2026 Rebecca Epperly
Anyone may nominate a professional practicing in the field of communication disorders in Virginia by submitting a letter of nomination and securing at least two letters of support for the nomination. The letters must illustrate the ways in which the nominee exemplifies leadership and ideals that Martha represented and which make the nominee a "champion" of the profession. The award traditionally is made in the form of a plaque and a personalized gift and is presented at the annual conference of the Speech-Language-Hearing Association of Virginia.
Letters of nomination and support must contain the author's name, title, relationship to the nominee, address, and telephone number, and e-mail address. Nominations are due by December 31 of each year and should be directed to:
Scott Rankins, CDF President
Communication Disorders Foundation of Virginia
P.O. Box 6342
Charlottesville, VA 22906-6342
OR Click Below
Friend of the Foundation Award
This award is given to an individual or business that has made an extraordinary contribution of time, money, and/or resources to the Foundation over the years. The CDF Board acts as both nominating and selection committee for this award.
2025 Friend of the Foundation
Awarded to
Judith Rassi & Margaret McElroy
Judith Rassi
Margaret McElroy
Judy Rassi moved to Virginia upon retirement from Vanderbilt University. She immediately became active in SHAV and joined the CDF as a Board member from 2009 - 2018. Judy suggested and then directed the CDF Board to take on a 3-year Development Plan to serve as a blueprint and rubric for quality performance. The CDF Board continues to utilize this rubric and update the CDF Development Plan annually, reminded of the dedication Judy made in her service to the future of the Foundation.
Margaret McElroy, Aud, worked for 24 years at UVA. She was on the SHAV Board first as Chairman, Standards and Practices 1973-74, as President-Elect 1982-83, as President 1983-84, and as Past President 1984-85. She was named a SHAV Fellow in 1886 and was the first recipient of the Martha-Mullins-Callender Award, in 1990. Margaret served on the CDF Board from 2000 until her retirement in 2018. She was the CDF secretary “extraordinaire,” (quote from Brenda Seal) for many years. Margaret’s attention to detail was, and has always been, amazingly acute and accurate. She annually collected and updated documents to establish an important foundational “history” for the CDF.
Judy and Margaret retired from the CDF in 2018. Prior to their resignations, they left a remarkable legacy in replacing our long-serving CDF’s mascot Verbalina, with the new CDF mascot, ClaraTee. ClaraTee moves across the state from year-to-year as a competitive force within the CDF Auction attendees.
Friend of the Foundation Award Recipients
1998 Al King
1999 Paul Harvey
2000 Patti Peters
2000 LinguiSystems
2001 Lissa Power-DeFur
2001 Super Duper Publications
2002 David Narburgh
2002 James River Chesterfield Lions Club
2004 Lori Gardner
2010 Shields Jones
2010 Karen Cersley
2011 Joseph Stettinius
2016 Scott Rankins
2016 C. EdWARD Vann
2018 Amber Handon
2018 Phillip Peters
2019 Nancy Wampler
2020 Craven
Management
2021 Pat Dewey
2022 Andy Harbick
2023 6 NSSLHA University Chapters
2024 Dr. James (JIM) nicely
2025 Judith rassi & Margaret Mcelroy