By Wendy Bershausen
UHCLIDIAN STAFF

Known as "The Communications Doctor," Susanne Gaddis, a former UH-Clear Lake professor, is handing out prescriptions to cure those with symptoms of poor communication.

Gaddis is returning to Houston in November as the keynote speaker for the Leadership Conference at UH-Clear Lake.

"Returning to the place where I received my first paycheck as a motivational speaker, and to return as the keynote speaker,                                                                         photo by Scott Butler
                                                      Susanne Gaddis

makes me feel as though I have come full circle," Gaddis said. For more than 12 years, Gaddis has made her mark in the communication field after having earned her Ph.D. in Marketing Communication and Information Technology at Florida State University.

Gaddis left UH-Clear Lake in 2001 and headed for Chapel Hill, North Carolina. She was determined to make a career out of helping others communicate more effectively.

Gaddis describes her move as "a beautiful change."

Coming to the realization that it was time to take a leap of faith and make the move to Chapel Hill was the result of answering the internal question "What are you pretending not to know?" Gaddis said that it was simply a matter of realizing that she was not doing what she felt like she was put on this earth to do, to be a motivational speaker.

Leaving UH-Clear Lake was difficult for Gaddis. She recognizes the support and nurturing she got from fellow co-workers, specifically from recently retired professor Jib Fowles.

"Jib is a wonderful mentor," Gaddis said.

Gaddis still gives seminars in the Houston/Clear Lake area for businesses and organizations to help employees and members become more effective communicators.

Gaddis was called an "energetic and engaging speaker" by Caroline Bratton, a marketing communication coordinator at Houston's Conoco, Inc. Kathy Walton, an engineer for United Space Alliance speaks of Gaddis' presentation as "excellent...the information is valuable and will help in all aspects of my life."

"It is a great feeling knowing you are not only helping those people, but also helping their friends and family who come in contact with them," Gaddis said.

Since her decision to leave UH-Clear Lake, Gaddis has been busy traveling to various cities across the United States prescribing the right doses for effective communication.

Recently, Gaddis returned from a trip to Puerto Rico where she held a communication seminar for the Puerto Rico Hotel and Tourist Association. She will be returning next year for a repeat performance.

On Oct. 18, Gaddis traveled to Houston to give an executive coaching seminar for Martin Marietta Materials.

Gaddis' visible hold in the Houston community remains, as she also writes an advice column in the Houston Health Employment Guide titled Today's Nurse. In the column, Gaddis gives advice on how people can change their attitudes.

Gaddis is in the process of writing a book, "Communications C.P.R.: Resuscitation Communi-cation in Relationships." Gaddis titled her book this because she often gets asked, "How do you know if a relationship is dead?" With a sincere laugh, Gaddis often replies, "Are both people still breathing?"

Every day, Gaddis works to motivate others. Her own motivation and entrepreneurial spirit is attributed to her father.

Gaddis said he taught her to realize that behind anything successful is a well thought out plan.

Gaddis hopes to expand her business internationally and teach effective communication skills to those in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industry.

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