Meredith Wood received her bachelor’s degree in neuroscience with a minor in speech and hearing sciences. Originally a pre-med student, her interest in the medical field ultimately led her to the medical track at Vanderbilt’s M.S. SLP program.
The Medical Speech-Language Pathology track, led by Assistant Professors of Hearing and Speech Sciences Cara Donohue, PhD, CCC-SLP and Emily Kimball, PhD, CCC-SLP, offers specialty medical SLP training to students interested in pursuing a career in settings such as acute care, inpatient rehabilitation, tertiary voice clinics, and outpatient swallowing clinics. In terms of additional classes, the medical track offers two this upcoming summer: a medical speech-language pathology seminar, as well as a pediatric feeding/swallowing course.
“I’m really excited to take those classes, and to have the opportunity to get a more in-depth perspective,” Wood said. “I have an interest in neurodegenerative diseases, so I’m also excited to learn more about that topic.”
In the upcoming Maymester, students on the medical track have the opportunity to spend their clinical practicum working in acute care. Through this clinical placement, students are able to engage with different instrumentals and patients with different medical needs.
“Having a part of the year that is medically specific and to be able to learn from professionals in a variety of different settings—acute care, outpatient, pediatric feeding—is really special,” Wood said.
Beyond the clinical and coursework opportunities, the medical track also allows SLP students to volunteer and participate in a variety of research and clinical
conferences. This includes a videostroboscopy conference hosted by the Vanderbilt Voice Center, a Medical Speech Pathology Conference, and an upcoming Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) course. Additionally, Wood is part of the Innovative Research in Aerodigestive Disorders (iRAD) Lab, also led by Dr. Donohue.
“Dr. Donohue’s lab looks at a lot of different patient populations, including those with heart transplants and Alzheimer’s, and she studies these populations in relation to swallowing and dysphagia,” Wood explained. “It’s been great to learn more about what I’m interested in from a faculty member within the Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences.”
Looking to the future, Wood sees herself as a medical SLP in a hospital working in acute care.
“Whether it’s with medically complex infants or community dwelling adults, I hope to utilize my clinical skills and bring some comfort during their time at the hospital,” she said. “As SLP students, we learn about communication and how important and empowering it is—and helping during some of the most challenging experiences of their lives is what I want to do.”
Learn about the MS-SLP tracks and curriculum on our website.