Kelley Family/Schlessman Family Scottish Rite Masons Chair in Childhood Language Disorders
Deborah Hayes, Ph.D.
In 2003 the Kelley Family/Schlessman Family Scottish Rite Masons Chair in Childhood Language Disorders was established at Children’s Hospital Colorado with a $2 million gift from the Scottish Rite Foundation of Colorado.
Deborah Hayes, Ph.D., is honored by the Foundation as the first occupant of this distinguished position – the first $2 million Chair to be established at Children’s Colorado.
The Scottish Rite Foundation of Colorado established this Chair to help ensure continued leadership in childhood language development sciences by Children’s Colorado. In addition, the Foundation established the Chair to provide for continued coordination of all Foundation-supported RiteCare operations in Colorado.
Dr. Hayes came to Children’s Hospital Colorado in 1983, then assuming leadership as Director of the Department of Audiology, Speech Pathology, and Learning Services. Since that time she has served as an ex officio member of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees. It was her vision and planning, with support and encouragement by the Foundation’s Board of Trustees, which led to expansion of the Foundation’s program of service to children throughout Colorado – beginning in 1986. The Foundation’s programs are now provided in more than 20 Colorado communities.