Michelle S. Bourgeois, PhD, CCC-SLP, an ASHA Fellow, AAAS Fellow, GSA Fellow, and professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, died last Wednesday. Michelle joined the USF faculty in 2013 and retired in 2021, but still continued to work as a researcher and courtesy faculty in the department.
“Michelle enriched minds and hearts, leaving an indelible legacy of knowledge and kindness that will forever resonate within those fortunate enough to have learned from and alongside her,” said Julie Serovich, PhD, professor and dean of the College of Behavioral and Community Sciences.
During her career, Michelle received multiple grants from the National Institutes of Aging and the Alzheimer's Association to evaluate memory aids and interventions for persons with dementia, aphasia, and traumatic brain injury; to investigate interventions for spousal and nursing home caregivers designed to improve the quality and quantity of communicative interactions with residents with dementia; and to develop training programs for institutional caregivers.
Students and faculty visit Brazil in 2015.
Michelle’s impact was not just limited to the borders of the U.S. – it extended globally. In 2015, Michelle developed a new international course “Global Issues in Communication Sciences and Disorders” and led seven students to Universidade de São Paulo-Bauru, Brazil to learn about speech-language pathology, audiology, and hearing and speech science at the Hospital for Rehabilitation of Craniofacial Anomalies of the University of São Paolo. Howard Goldstein, PhD, associate dean for research for CBCS and husband of Michelle, accompanied her on the trip to present and establish research partnerships. Michelle reflected on the trip in a 2015 CBCS News story: “It was a wonderful experience to take a group of naïve undergraduates and see them blossom in such a setting.” She subsequently returned to Bauru, Brazil with students from USF and UCF and also hosted many students and faculty from USP-Bauru who visited USF.
In 2019, Michelle was elected Fellow in the Psychology Section of the American Association for the Advancement of Sciences (AAAS) for distinguished contributions to the field of cognitive communication disorders, particularly for pioneering research and development of therapies for dementia patients and their caregivers. She made significant advancements investigating behavioral treatments for persons with neurogenic cognitive-communication disorders and training for their caregivers.
Michelle was awarded Fellow status through the Behavioral and Social Sciences Section of The Gerontological Society of America (GSA) for her outstanding and continuing work in the field of gerontology. She was also granted Fellow status of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), a testament to her contributions to the field of communication sciences and disorders.
Additionally, Michelle served as a grant reviewer for the Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association and was a founding member of the Montessori for Aging and Dementia Committee within the Association Montessori Internationale. She also was a recipient of the Barry Reisberg Award for Non-Pharmacologic Research, Theory and Clinical Practice.
Although she retired to spend more time with her children and grandchildren, Michelle continued to support her colleagues by sharing her knowledge and expertise and cheering for their achievements. She also continued serving on the National Aphasia Association Primary Progressive Aphasia task force and volunteering for Meals on Wheels.
“Even after retiring, she was always of help to others,” said Adithya Chandregowda, PhD, CCC-SLP, an associate professor in the department. “What a beautiful bright light left this world! I am sure her legacy will live on.”