By Ryan Clark
CHS Communications Director

When she heard about the honor, the College of Health Sciences' newest Alumni Hall of Fame member said it was a surprise. In fact, it made her think about how to do her job even better. 

Meet the latest CHS Hall of Fame inductee, Renee Kinder, MS, CCC-SLP, RAC-CT. A two-time graduate of Communication Sciences and Disorders, she earned her bachelor’s degree in 2003 and her master’s in 2005. The Hopkinsville, Ky., native went on to work as a clinical specialist, director of clinical education, director of clinical services and vice president of clinical services before being named executive vice president of clinical services at Broad River Rehab, based in Asheville, N.C.

Kinder has served as a preceptor for CHS, as well as a member of community faculty for the College of Medicine. She is a published author in the areas of payment reform, documentation and coding, and best practices for individuals with dementia and a regular contributor to McKnight’s. She volunteers on behalf of the American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA) serving as a State Advocate for Medicare Policy, Professional Development Manager and prior Editor for ASHA’s gerontology special interest group, and serves as a current advisor to the American Medical Association HCPAC RUC.

The honor left her surprised — and introspective, she said.

“This was a bit of a shock initially,” Kinder said. “It makes you engage in significant self-reflection. First and foremost, it’s so impressive that they continue to keep up with the number of alumni that they have, and our paths, and what we’re aiming to do and accomplish to really give back to the industry as a whole. It calls me to reflect on my entire career and think about what’s next. What can we do next to continue this path?

“The services that we can provide to communities as a whole is never ending,” she continued. “That journey does not end. So, I just look at how we can mold that in the future and continue to make it better.”

Kinder will formally receive the honor at the Hall of Fame and Young Alumni Award Celebration at 5:30 p.m., March 29, at the Rockbridge Reserve Room at The Campbell House. 

The latest recipient of the Young Alumni Award, Katelyn McNamara, PT, DPT, will also be honored. 

“We in the College of Health Sciences are so proud to honor these amazing alumni,” said CHS Dean Scott Lephart. “We celebrate the kinds of creativity, resiliency, leadership and altruism that each of these impressive former students displays. They are wonderful role models for our current students, and I can think of no one better to represent CHS.”