The University of Texas at Dallas Callier Center for Communication Disorders’ annual luncheon, held April 8 at the Dallas Country Club, raised more than $365,000 for the Callier Care Fund, which helps children and adults who are unable to afford treatment for speech, language and hearing disorders.
The Callier Care Fund was established by the late Dr. Ken and Ruth Altshuler to ensure access to clinical care regardless of patients’ income or insurance coverage. The Callier Cares Luncheon has raised nearly $3 million for the fund since its inception in 2007.
“I would like to express my sincere gratitude for 13 years of generous donations from Callier Cares Luncheon patrons,” said Angela Shoup BS’89, MS’92, PhD’94, the Ludwig A. Michael, MD Executive Director of the Callier Center. “Each contribution undergirds Callier’s mission and vision, and transforms the lives of countless children and adults with communication disorders. Our successes reflect Callier’s dedicated foundation trustees, luncheon leadership and supporters.”
Nearly 300 guests — including grateful patients, families and friends — gathered to support the Callier Center and learn about new treatments and therapies. All gifts made to the Callier Center benefit the Callier Family Care Campaign’s $15 million goal, which was buoyed by a $50,000 commitment from presenting sponsors Rosemarie and Maynard Ewton.
This year’s luncheon chairman, Laura Downing, said she is inspired by the difference the Callier Center makes in the lives of local families.
“The Callier Center does such impactful and life-changing work for people of all ages, and it is a privilege to share their stories with our community,” she said. “The gift of connection and communication cannot be overstated.”
Among the stories shared at the event were the experiences of Wendy and Kyle Bradley, whose son, Liam, needed hearing aids when he was an infant. The center’s audiologists used on-site 3D printers to build custom earmolds for the 1-month-old. Because babies grow so quickly, they often need seven sets of earmolds by the age of 3.
In 2022, Callier was the first audiology clinic in the nation to manufacture earmolds on-site using 3D printing. The technology makes it easier for families to get hearing treatment for their infants within 24 hours of diagnosis. Callier clinicians evaluate about 400 children a year for hearing loss, and over 50% of those children with diagnosed hearing loss are under the age of 5. On average, Callier identifies 50 new infants a year who are born with hearing loss and need amplification.
“Because of early intervention and the 3D-printed earmolds, Liam [who is now 2 years old] has caught up to his peers in his communication skills,” Wendy Bradley said. “He no longer has what was once a seven-month gap. Without donors who supported this innovative treatment, Liam’s story would be very different.”
Ruth and Ken Altshuler Callier Care Award
Sara Losinger was presented with the 2024 Ruth and Ken Altshuler Callier Care Award for her longtime advocacy for children and adults facing communication disorders.
The award is presented annually to an individual or group who has contributed significantly to the betterment of the community and to advancing the care of patients with communication disorders.
Losinger has been an avid supporter of the Callier Center for more than a decade. Inspired by her parents’ volunteerism through their family foundation, Losinger has been instrumental in the success of the Callier Cares Luncheon, Patient Emergency Fund, Evergreen Fund and Special Connections Endowment. She has also served as a Callier Ambassador, sharing educational information and resources to raise awareness about the Callier Center.