Helping the Community Be Heard: The Huntington Scottish Rite Foundation's Impact at Marshall University

Photos and Story by Katie Marshall, HRCC Intern

The sound of laughter, the hum of conversation, and the careful guidance of a therapist fills the rooms of the Scottish Rite Clinic at Marshall University Speech and Hearing Center. Patients of all ages move between therapy rooms, working on everything from speech & language exercises to hearing assessments and speech device evaluations. Here, voices are nurtured, confidence is built, and every small success is celebrated.

“We service the lifespan. We have kids who are three days old, having trouble nursing," said Sara Clemins, Director of Clinical Education at MU Speech & Hearing Center. "We see young children, we see adolescents, and we see adults with progressive neurological conditions or strokes, the clinic just keeps growing.”

At the center of it all lies the Huntington Scottish Rite Foundation. Thanks to the Huntington Scottish Rite Foundation’s resources, patients through Huntington can take advantage of the clinic’s full spectrum of services, whether that be speech and hearing therapy or community programs. Without the Scottish Rite Foundation, a lot of families might face barriers that make therapy inaccessible.

“The Huntington Scottish Rite Foundation provides scholarships for children whose insurance does not cover services. They started a deductible assistance program for children with high deductibles, and most recently they are helping through grant funding. The Scottish Rite is paying for three part-time clinicians, who are providing feeding services.” said Clemins.

Progress at the Rite Care clinic isn’t always linear. It often shows up in small little victories. A child may begin to form words more clearly than they did a few weeks ago, a teenager grows more comfortable speaking in everyday situations, or a parent starts to notice something that once felt out of reach is now possible. Over time, these moments add up to meaningful progress that exceeds beyond speech and language.

For Marshall University Communication Disorder students, the clinic feels like a continuation of the classroom. Ideas from lectures take shape through real-life interactions, where every patient brings different needs and experience. These students learn how to adjust, how to listen, and how to support progress in ways that can’t always be taught from a textbook. Having this experience allows students to build practical skills and a better understanding of the clients they work with.

The Rite Care clinic thrives on collaboration, where therapists, students, patients, and the Scottish Rite Foundation staff each contribute to a shared environment of care. With support from the Huntington Scottish Rite Foundation, the focus remains on prioritizing patient care and access to services.

“We've had nothing but good support from Marshall, and so there's 16 people on the board. This has helped us help Marshall build this program. We're just happy to do it, and we're just now getting started. We’ve got other things that planned in the future as well. ” explained Paul Davis, Deputy for the Orient of the Scottish Rite Masons for WV.

It’s in the everyday moments that the Rite Care clinic’s impact really shines through. Conversations begin to flow much more easily. Simple interactions feel less strained and more natural. Families notice progress not just in communication, but in confidence and connections at home and in the community.

Supporting the Rite Care clinic is part of a wider commitment to the community. Through its partnership with Marshall University, the Huntington Scottish Rite Foundation helps ensure that speech, hearing, and feeding services remain accessible and important. The goal is to help people build the skills they need to communicate clearly, express themselves with confidence, and take part more fully in everyday life. As outreach efforts expand into multiple community sites, the goal is broader access to care.

“Through grant funding, we are setting up across the Tri-State for screenings in areas where children may not have access to those services. We are excited to have screenings set up in Huntington, Logan and Nitro areas so far. We want to make sure that all children have access to services offered in their own community.” said Amie Aya-ay, the Development Director for the Huntington Scottish Rite Foundation. The work doesn’t just stop there, supporters will soon have a chance to come together and celebrate at their Annual Fundraising Dinner later this month.

The Huntington Scottish Rite Foundation will host its Annual Fundraising Dinner on April 25, 2026, at 6 p.m. at the St. Mary’s Conference Center. The event brings together community members, supporters, and partners to celebrate ongoing work and raise funds that help support clinic services and outreach efforts. Those interested in attending can register here: 2026 HSRF Annual Dinner Tickets

For those seeking services, the MU Rite Care clinic is located at One John Marshall Drive, 143 Smith Hall, Huntington WV 25575 and is open Monday through Friday 8:00 A.M. - 5:30 P.M. , offering support to patients and families throughout the week.

Facebook Page- The Huntington Scottish Rite Foundation