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Dr. Kiran C. Patel
College of Osteopathic Medicine

Nu Sigma Upsilon Chapter of Alpha Eta Society

  1. Osteopathic
  2. Nu Sigma Upsilon Chapter of Alpha Eta Society

Alpha Eta is a National Honor Society for the Allied Health Professions. The Nu Sigma Upsilon Chapter recognizes outstanding achievement of our students, faculty, and alumni in the allied health professions.

Nu Sigma Upsilon - Incoming Officer

Rachel

Nu Sigma Upsilon Chapter of the Alpha Eta Society (Beginning July 2026)

Rachel M. Williams, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, is Professor and Director of the Doctor of Speech-Language Pathology Program at Nova Southeastern University. She has worked in academia since 2005 and has directed the SLP.D. program since 2010.

Dr. Williams teaches doctoral and graduate courses in fluency disorders, counseling, leadership, interprofessional practice, and technology in education. Her scholarly interests include culturally responsive services, leadership cultivation, and interprofessional education. She holds a Ph.D. from Howard University and has been a certified speech-language pathologist for 30 years.

Lea

Nu Sigma Upsilon Chapter of the Alpha Eta Society (Beginning July 2026)

Lea Kaploun has clinical and teaching interests in neurogenic communication disorders impacting speech, language, and cognition, particularly related to Parkinson’s disease and related disorders. She is actively involved in counseling individuals and families coping with these conditions.

Kaploun prepares students for clinical practice through graduate supervision and grant-supported training initiatives. She teaches graduate courses in Language Disorders in Adults, Motor Speech Disorders, Diagnostics, and Counseling in Speech-Language Pathology. She mentors undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students through clinical supervision and dissertation committees

The development of a national honor society for allied health students was proposed in 1973. The purpose of the honor society was to recognize scholarship in allied health students using the model of the University of Florida's local honor society, Eta Rho Phi. Howard Suzuki, Ph.D., of the University of Florida, made inquiries to allied health administrators concerning the feasibility of developing such an honor society on a national scale. The American Society of Allied Health Professions (ASAHP) was then approached and approved the proposal. The society was named for the Greek letters equivalent to the first letters of Allied Health, which were Alpha Eta.

The Alpha Eta Society was chartered in Florida in 1975, has 93 chapters, and more than 35,000 members. The Nu Sigma Upsilon (NSU) Chapter of the Alpha Eta Society was elected Chapter #68 to the society on December 5, 2008. The purpose was to recognize the outstanding achievement of our students, faculty, and alumni in all areas of allied health. Chapter members must meet strict qualifications for induction that include demonstration of significant scholarship, leadership, and contribution to health care professions.

Our chapter has grown to include over 1,500 members from various disciplines, including anesthesiologist assistant, audiology, health and human performance, health sciences, medical and cardiovascular sonography, nutrition, occupational therapy, respiratory therapy, physical therapy, physician assistant, and speech-language. All of these disciplines unite as one, demonstrating the importance of a healthcare team devoted to improving patients' well-being and promoting quality healthcare.

Our motto is "Together We Serve," recognizing that healthcare is dependent on a team approach and that every member plays an integral role in quality healthcare delivery in the United States and beyond.

Nu Sigma Upsilon Chapter Awards

Nominations now open through May 30, 2026.

See criteria below and click here to submit nominations.

Award Guidelines

Alpha Eta members receiving the Richard E. Davis award display the attitude and philosophy of a leader along with behaviors demonstrating sincerity, integrity, and candor in all actions in their field of expertise. Award recipients must also demonstrate achievement in leadership, scholarship, or service.

We would like to encourage our Alpha Eta membership to submit nominations to recognize their outstanding achievements. For more information, see our Award Policy and Procedures.

Award Criteria

Alpha Eta members can nominate themselves or other Alpha Eta members. Nominees must have been a chapter member for at least one year. Nominations must be based on achievements acquired after chapter induction and after award received in previous year, if applicable. Nominations open on February 1 and close on May 30.

One award winner is chosen for each category (leadership, scholarship, and service).Please make clear reference to the following criteria when submitting your nomination. Questions regarding awards should be directed to Hugh Rappa, M.D.

Leadership (a minimum of 4 must be satisfied)

  1. Holds a management/leadership position in the field of expertise/place of employment.
  2. Recognized by peers as a leader or visionary in field of expertise.
  3. Holds a board member position on local, regional, state, national, and/or international committees.
  4. Recognized for having a positive impact on peers and/or field of expertise.
  5. Recognized for helping others learn through teaching, training, and coaching.
  6. Orchestrates the many activities that take place throughout an organization by providing a view of the future and the ability to obtain it.

Individuals receiving this award may also demonstrate leadership through the following:

  • Holds an executive leadership position on a local, regional, state, national, and/or international peer recognized committee or organization.
  • Guides, directs research in field of expertise.
  • Recognized for contributions of proven and replicable solutions to critical issues facing field of expertise.
  • Involved with and/or contributing to policy making in field of expertise or employment.
  • Establishes the ethical framework within an organization, clinic, and/or hospital.
  • Recognized for innovative strategy(ies) that directly improves field of expertise.

Scholarship (a minimum of 3 must be satisfied)

  1. Acceptance or publications in refereed professional journal, including, but not limited to, research articles, review article, abstracts, editorials.
  2. Non-compensated (beyond costs incurred for the event, i.e., expenses) poster presentation (or acceptance) of original research at refereed state, regional, national, or international meetings.
  3. Non-compensated (beyond costs incurred for the event, i.e., expenses) platform presentation (or acceptance) at refereed state, regional, national, or international meetings.
  4. Reviewer for professional journals, professional texts, or books, chapters for professional textbooks, formal presentations.

Individuals receiving this award may also demonstrate scholarship through the following:

  • Chair of plenary sessions, keynote speaker or similar participation society meetings.
  • Creating, implementing, and/or evaluating new clinical methodologies and techniques.
  • Evidence of ongoing research project(s) that demonstrate scholarly goals and aims.
  • Acceptance or authorship of chapters, research manuals, monograph(s) in edited professional/scientific books.
  • Acceptance or authorship of professional/scientific books.
  • Supervision of research projects conducted by professionals or graduate students.
  • Non-compensated (beyond costs incurred for the event, i.e., expenses) "invited presenter" at conferences based on recognition as an expert in field of study.
  • Securing patent rights.
  • Development of tools/instrument that enhances patient care.
  • Citation in published research by other researches.
  • Editor or member of an editorial board of a professional journal.

Service (a minimum of 3 must be satisfied)

  1. Holds membership in professional organizations at local, state, regional, national, or international level.
  2. Participates in community projects that benefit the community.
  3. Acts as an adviser/mentor to younger healthcare professionals.
  4. Utilizes professional abilities for the community's benefit.

Individuals receiving this award may also demonstrate service through the following:

  • Functions in a leadership position at state, regional, national, or international level
  • Editor for professional journal, professional item writer for state/national licensing exams, acting as editorial staff, editorial readers.
  • Contributes or develops a department, clinic or hospital policy.
  • Provides uncompensated consulting services.
  • Serves in an educational advisory or informational benefit.
  • Participates in services to under-served communities.
  • Volunteers at charitable events.