Susan Ostrowski holds a master’s degree in remedial reading and a master’s degree in speech pathology from Columbia University. Susan has a wide array of experience in a variety of senior settings, from skilled nursing to day centers to traditional homes. With deep concern for the unmet social-emotional needs of older adults and a passion for innovation, Susan co-created and developed an organization called Reading2Connect®.

Reading2Connect® is devoted to bringing back the joy of reading to elders and adults living with dementia. Reading2Connect® produces age/dementia friendly books and educates staff/partners on implementing a unique, innovative program that fosters independent, social reading for older adults in all settings.

Writing on the relationship between reading and dementia, Susan has contributed to multiple publications, including the American Speech and Hearing Association Perspectives Journal and the Thieme Medical Publishers Communication Sciences Case Study textbook.

She has presented on the topic of reading and dementia at multiple conferences including The International Council on Active Aging, Pioneer Network, Center for Innovation, Alzheimer’s Association state chapters, and Leading Age state partners.

Susan is a 2021 Mather Institute Promising Practices Award Winner, a 2021 Beryl Institute Research Grant Recipient, the 2021 Dementia Society of America Dementia SMART Award Winner, and the American Speech and Hearing Association Recent Clinical Achievement Award (2020) and Innovator Leader Recognition (2023).

Susan’s mission is to increase societal awareness of how age and dementia affects – and doesn’t affect -- our ability to read, and how to revive the automatic