M.A.C.D.G. - Midwestern Adult Communication Disorders Group

THE MISSY TOIGO SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Established 2002 By MACDG


Each year, all proceeds from the MACDG Summer Forum are contributed to the Missy Toigo Scholarship Fund


Missy Maurer Toigo was a respected speech pathologist in the Saint Louis area from 1990 until her untimely death from melanoma in 2000. Missy received her undergraduate degree from the University of Missouri at Columbia and her graduate degree from Saint Louis University. She specialized in the treatment of the tracheostomy and ventilator dependent population, striving to enhance both communication and swallowing functions. She worked on the pulmonary team at Barnes-Jewish Hospital for over 8 years, contributing to policies and procedures, as well as research studies. She promoted the widespread use of the Passy-Muir speaking valve, as well as FEES, eventually branching out into the treatment of the head and neck population. Her work gained respect for speech pathology in this specialized area with physicians, nurses and other healthcare workers. Her last two years of practice as a speech pathologist was at St. Anthony's Hospital, where she was working to expand speech therapy's role with the pulmonary population. Missy was as devoted to her profession as she was to her children and family. She would be proud to know that others share in her dedication to the complicated field of pulmonary speech pathology and that others will grow in this area due to scholarships awarded in her memory.

MACDG announces the availability of scholarships from the Missy Toigo Scholarship Fund for:

  • Speech pathology graduate students with a practicum primarily involving patients with pulmonary disorders. Recipients will be required to share increased knowledge with other students or professionals in a formal presentation.
  • Advancement of existing pulmonary speech programs by providing speech pathologists with resource materials, conference fees, or class tuition. Recipients will be required to share new information with with colleagues in a formal presentation (i.e. Cost of admission or equivalent to a specialty conference, MSHA or ASHA)
The number of scholarships awarded yearly will be dependent upon the fund balance and qualified applicants. If you are interested in attaining a scholarship, complete the following application and mail it to Ellen Adkins, 1218 Lin Manor, Kirkwood, MO 63122. If you have any questions please contact Ellen Adkins at (314) 956-9096.

If a Speech-Language Pathologist:
  • Name:
  • Facility:
  • Phone #:
  • ASHA #:
If a Student:
  • Name:
  • University:
  • Phone #:
  • Clinical Supervisor:
  • Supervisor's Phone #:
Attach a brief description of why the scholarship is desired, how the scholarship will be used, and how the scholarship will benefit patients with pulmonary disorder.

MISSY TOIGO FUND: Guidelines

  • All profits from the MACDG Summer Forum go into the Missy Toigo Scholarship Fund.

  • An effort will be made to keep the topic of the Summer Forum related to Missy's areas of expertise (Pulmonary/ENT/swallowing).

  • MACDG treasurer will manage (make available) the balance of the Missy Toigo Fund.

  • Applications and information will be available at every conference (February Membership Drive, Spring Conference, Summer Forum and Fall Conference).

  • Announcements will also be made at every conference regarding the scholarship fund.

  • Scholarship information and applications will be mailed with the Summer Forum Brochure.

  • The "application year" will run from the Summer Forum until May 1st of the following year.

  • Announcement of winner(s) will be made at the Summer Forum the following year.

  • Approximately $500 per year will be awarded. This money can be distributed to one or more individuals until the $500 is exhausted.

  • Scholarship can be used for future conferences, conferences attended over the past year, or for treatment/reference materials or possibly equipment.

  • Determination of chosen applicant(s) will be based on these general criteria:
    • Applicant should be a licensed / certified SLP.
    • Working in an environment inclusive of the trach/vent population.
    • Willing to submit a statement to be shared with MACDG members as to how the scholarship was used to advance skills or services provided.

  • A majority vote of MACDG board will be needed to:
    • Approve the applicant(s).
    • Allow any "special cases" (i.e. requests for more than the $500, or applicant not meeting all the suggested criteria).
    • Change any of above guidelines.

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