Donna Geffner, PhD, CCC-SLP/A
Donna Geffner, PhD, EdD (HON), CCC-SP/A received her master’s degree and doctorate from New York University and is a dually certified and licensed Speech-Language Pathologist and Audiologist. She has been the Director of the Speech and Hearing Center at St. John’s University since 1976 when she initiated and developed both the Center and the undergraduate Speech and Hearing Program. Dr. Geffner conceived, wrote and developed a Master of Arts program at St. John’s University in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, which she now directs. She was promoted to Full Professor and named Chair of the Department of Speech, Communications Sciences and Theatre and served in that capacity until 1992. At that time, she was appointed Director of the graduate programs. St. John’s University awarded her the President’s Medal for Outstanding Faculty Achievement.
The New York City Speech-Language-Hearing Association awarded her its Professional Achievement Award in 1994; the Long Island Speech-Language-Hearing Association awarded her its honors. Since her entry into the field in 1970, Dr. Geffner has presented over 300 papers at national and state professional meetings, published over 50 articles and chapters, edited for journals and co-edited a monograph (#26), “Language and Communications Skills of Deaf Children,” published by the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association (ASHA), Rockville, MD, 1987. She is the author of three textbooks: “AD/HD: What Professionals Need to Know”, “Auditory Processing Disorders: Assessment, Management, and Treatment” (with Co-editor Dr. Deb Ross-Swain, EdD, CCC-SLP) and “The Listening Inventory” (with Co-author Dr. Deb Ross-Swain, EdD, CCC-SLP). She is Co-author of “Auditory Skills Assessment” with Dr. Ron Goldman.
Dr. Geffner created and produced the DVD: “AD/HD People and their Journeys.” She served as a member of the New York State Licensure Board in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and President of the New York State-Language-Hearing Association (NYSSLHA). NYSSLHA bestowed upon her its Distinguished Achievement Award and its Honors.
The Long Island Speech-Language-Hearing Association bestowed its honors on her and the New York City Speech-Language-Hearing Association awarded her its Professional Achievement Award. She served on the Education Standards Board of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), the accrediting agency of the national association, and was elected ASHA’s Vice President for Academic Affairs. In 1999, she was elected President of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, representing 100,000 speech-language pathologists and audiologists. She was also named Fellow of that Association. In 2003, Providence College bestowed upon her an Honorary Doctorate. Dr. Geffner has lectured widely throughout the world to professional groups, parent organizations and educators on topics such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Central Auditory Processing Disorders.
In the past, Dr. Geffner produced and hosted a major network television educational series on NBC, for which she received an Emmy nomination, and a series for CBS, for which she received a citation from the President’s Commission on the Handicapped. She continues to appear as a spokesperson for other network and cable television programs pertaining to education for the handicapped and has made numerous appearances on television, radio, cable broadcasts, and Web casts. She consults to corporations, schools, and professional organizations. She maintains a Private Practice in Long Island where she provides auditory and language processing evaluations and treatment for children and adults. She serves as an expert witness, parent advocate, and representative at CSE and Team meetings and provides consultations and workshops for professional and parent groups.