The Scottish Rite of Nebraska supports speech and language therapy at the Munroe-Meyer Institute’s RiteCare Speech and Language Clinics — but they do so much more, said Karoly Mirnics, M.D., Ph.D., director of MMI.
Dr. Mirnics, who was named the 2019 Friend of the Scottish Rite at an Oct. 25 ceremony, said that to praise the Scottish Rite only for supporting communication and language development would be a gross understatement.
“The interventions Dr. Amy Nordness and her speech and language team provide help brain development,” Dr. Mirnics said. “They give confidence to children to interact with their surroundings, build social relationships and allow the accumulation of new skills and knowledge. One child at a time, we strengthen families, change lives and create futures. And the effect on the individual multiplied, transforms the whole community.”
Dr. Mirnics spoke at a dinner to celebrate his award from the organization, which has funded services at MMI’s RiteCare Speech and Language Clinics for more than 40 years. Because of the organization’s philanthropic efforts – the dinner recognizing Dr. Mirnics was a fundraiser, as well — speech and language services are provided at no cost to families.
John Maxell, general secretary of the Omaha Scottish Rite, said Dr. Mirnics was an obvious choice for this year’s award.
“Dr. Mirnics’ vision for Munroe-Meyer, his passion for serving children of all abilities and his plans for leading MMI into its second century made him our immediate choice for our 2019 Friends of Scottish Rite award honoree,” Maxell said. “You can simply feel his energy when he starts speaking about the Munroe-Meyer Institute, and it is impossible not to pick up his enthusiasm. Additionally, his embrace of the Scottish Rite Foundation’s mission of speech therapy revitalizes our members’ passion for Nebraska’s RiteCare Speech and Language Clinics.”
Dr. Mirnics was presented the award by Charles Sederstrom Jr., who leads the Scottish Rite of Nebraska.
“It’s that passion for creating a better life for children with intellectual or developmental challenges that has made him the man that he is today, and that has made him the man who is going to lead us all forward over the next several years, taking kids to a better life across the state of Nebraska,” Sederstrom said.
Accepting the award, Dr. Mirnics thanked the audience.
“Thank you for being amazing,” he told the crowd. “This is an incredible community — accepting, giving, helping, caring.
“Two things remain constant and will always be constant — the amazing support of the community, and the dedication of the MMI staff to excellence in patient care, education, research and community engagement.”