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ACC News

June 15, 2025

NEW Book Club materials!

Our latest Book Club read Bel Canto, by Ann Patchett.

Bel Canto is a novel by American author Ann Patchett, published in 2001. The book tells the story of a group of people who are taken hostage during a party at the home of the vice president of an unnamed country. The hostages end up developing complex relationships with the guerrillas keeping them captive. The author explores themes of shifting identity, coping with extreme challenges, and the role of music in people’s lives.

You can see all our book club materials here, or you can go directly to our store to purchase materials for Bel Canto.

Happy reading!

June 7, 2025

Remembering Dr. Roberta Elman

Dr. Roberta J. Elman, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, BC-ANCDS, passed away on May 29, 2025. A visionary leader in the field of speech-language pathology, Roberta was instrumental in establishing the life participation approach to aphasia and leaves an indelible legacy and impact on the field.

In 1996, she founded the Aphasia Center of California (ACC), a nonprofit organization, where she served as President/CEO and Clinical Director. Under her leadership, the ACC became a nationally and internationally respected model for speech-language treatment, clinical research, and professional training focused on aphasia and other neurogenic communication disorders.

Roberta was an ASHA Fellow, received the Honors of ASHA, and the Honors of the Academy of Neurologic Communication Disorders and Sciences in acknowledgement of her life’s work.

She earned her Ph.D. in Speech & Hearing Sciences from a joint program at University of California Santa Barbara and San Francisco, and her professional contributions include numerous national and international presentations, publications, including two influential books.

Her life’s work gave voice and hope to those navigating life after stroke or brain injury, and her influence shaped an entire generation of clinicians and researchers.

June 1, 2025

Guest speaker Jon McGregor

The Aphasia Center of California is excited to invite you to an online Zoom event with author Jon McGregor

Wednesday, June 18 at NOON (12:00pm PT)

He will talk about his book, Lean Fall Stand, with our very own Lyssa Rome, MS, CCC-SLP, and answer your questions about the book and his experience learning about aphasia. This is a great event for anyone interested in how literature can expand aphasia awareness!

You can purchase McGregor’s book at Bookshop.org.