Mary Ray-Allen

Clinical Educator
Instructor

Education

  • MEd, Valdosta State University, 1995
  • BS in Education, University of Georgia, 1993

Bio

Mary Ray-Allen received her BS in Education from The University of Georgia in 1993 and her master’s degree from Valdosta State University in 1995. Her clinical area of expertise is in adult neurogenic communicative disorders. She served as the Clinic Director of The University of Alabama Speech and Hearing Center for 6 years, 2016-2021, overseeing the day-to-day operations and clinical training experiences for graduate and undergraduate CD students. Prior to this, Mary was instrumental in establishing the Adult Neuro Clinic at The University of Alabama Speech and Hearing Center, which is a thriving adult program, serving clients with strokes, traumatic brain injuries, and progressive neurological diseases.

With 28 years of clinical experience, her interests include language interventions in adults with aphasia and related disorders, psychosocial/functional approaches to intervention, and the effectiveness of social approaches to aphasia intervention. Currently, Mary is the director of the grant-funded project, Bama Perks, a simulated coffee shop that is housed within The UA Speech and Hearing Center that offers a unique social environment for individuals with aphasia to practice and enhance their communication skills. The project was highlighted in The ASHA Leader Academic Edge article, Bama Perks: Beats Aphasia One Sip at a Time, March 2017 issue. Additionally, Mary shared this innovative treatment approach with the Aphasia Access Podcast series, Cups of Confidence, in May of 2019Bama Perks has received national attention with many university programs aiming to create this unique supplemental treatment in their centers.

Mary also has clinical experience working with individuals with dementia and other memory disorders. Mary helped to establish a community service-learning project with Caring Days of Tuscaloosa, an adult day-program for persons with dementia. The project aims are to provide programming for the attendees at Caring Days focusing on socialization, communication, and engagement, clinical training for students, and routine in-services for the administration and client care specialists at Caring Days. Mary has been committed to this partnership with Caring Days for 10+ years. Mary is a member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), and she maintains an Alabama Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology (ABESPA) license.

Responsibilities

  • CD 422 Acquired Neurogenic Communication Disorders Instructor
  • CD 450 Junior Senior Seminar Instructor
  • CD 535 Medical SLP Instructor
  • CD 565 Advanced Aphasia Instructor
  • Bama Perks Program Director
  • Caring Days Service Collaboration Director
  • NSSLHA Advisor

Funded Projects

  • Ray-Allen, M. A., “Medical SLP Teaching Grant Spring 2021,” College of Arts and Sciences, College Total Amount: $1700. (2020)
  • Douglas, J. W., Mumbower, R. M., Mumba, M. N., Dawson-Hardy, M. A., RayAllen, M. A., “Students Supporting Brain Injury Survivors and their Caregivers: A Community Engagement Project,” Center for Community-Based Partnerships, The University of Alabama Total Amount: $2996.85. (October 1, 2020 – September 30, 2021).
  • Received the College Academy of Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity award of $3500.00 for Bama Perks, Fall 2015.

Awards

  • Distinguished Clinical Achievement Award, Speech and Hearing Association of Alabama (February 2020).
  • Council on Community-Based Partnerships Excellence in Community Engagement Award, UA Office of Research and Academic Development (March 2020).

Selected Publications

  • Aphasia Access Conversations. National. (May 22, 2019). https://www.aphasiaaccess.org/podcasts/
  • Ray-Allen, M. A. (2017). Bama Perks Beats Aphasia One Sip at a Time, ASHA Leader, (3rd ed., vol. 22, pp. 36-37).

Presentations

  • Allen, M. A., SHAA 2021 Convention, “You’ve Almost Earned Your Degree. What’s Next? Preparing for Your Future as a SLP.,” Virtual, Tuscaloosa, AL. (2018-2023).
  • Allen, M. A. (Co-Presenter), SHAA 2021 Convention, “Clinical Education Training for AuDs and SLPs in Student Supervision,” Virtual, Tuscaloosa, AL. (March 4, 2021).
  • Ray-Allen, M. A. (Co-Presenter), Off-Campus Supervisors CEU Conference, “Learn, Create, Inspire: A Clinical Education Training,” SHC, Tuscaloosa, AL. (June 17, 2020).
  • Ray-Allen, M. A. (Co-Presenter), “Clinical Education Training for AuDs and SLPs in Student Supervision,” SHAA, Birmingham, AL. (February 28, 2020).
  • Ray-Allen, M. A. (Co-Presenter), “Speech Language Pathology Clinical Supervisor Training-Level 1,” Speech and Hearing Association of Alabama, Birmingham, AL. (February 15, 2019).
  • Ray-Allen, M. A. (Co-Presenter), Clinical Supervisor Appreciation CEU Event, “The Neuroscience of Aging and Dementia and Evidence-Based Treatment Approaches,” The UA SHC, The UA Speech and Hearing Center. (January 26, 2019).
  • Ray-Allen, M. A. (Co-Author), ASHA 2019, “The New SEC: Supervision Education Course Developed by Alabama Clinical Educators, Meritorious,” Orlando, FL. (November 21, 2019).
  • Ray-Allen, M. A. (Co-Presenter), “Analyzing the Effects of Bama Perks Simulated Coffee Shop on the Social Communication Skills of Adults with Aphasia,” UA Undergrad Research Conference. (April 2017).
  • Ray-Allen, M. A. (Co-Presenter), “Bama Perks: The Use of a Simulated Context for Working with Individuals with Aphasia,” ASHA. (November 2016).