2021 Spring Speech Uncensored Podcast Fellow
Meet Rebecca Brown MS, CCC-SLP, CNT!
Rebecca is the Lead Inpatient Speech-Language Pathologist at CHRISTUS Good Shepherd Medical Center and primary SLP in the neonatal intensive care unit. Rebecca is responsible for the evaluation and treatment of medically complex neonates, adults, and geriatric patients in the ICU. She develops policies, procedures, and all of her team's education. Rebecca is an adjunct instructor at two universities and is completing her Ph.D. in Health Sciences at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions with a Neuro Rehab concentration. Rebecca serves on various committees at the local, state, and national level. Rebecca is on the board of a local non-profit dedicated to the provision of education and resources for expectant parents.
Rebecca lives in Texas, and is married with two cats. Hobbies outside of SLP related activities include gardening, cooking, and watching crime shows.
3 unique facts about rebecca:
I was captain of the twirling squad in high school.
I make a banana cake (my sister’s recipe) that wins awards at bake-offs.
I grow a vegetable garden every spring and mini pumpkins in the fall.
Why the speech path?
I am so grateful to be part of a profession that contributes to the most important aspects of an individual’s quality of life. Evaluating and treating dysphagia across the lifespan (from premature infant-geriatric patients) is a privilege I’ll never take for granted. Throughout my career, I’ve positively contributed to an individual’s first meal (an infant’s first bottle) and their last meal (an individual seeking palliative care services). Given that we make life-altering decisions at critical times in our patients’ lives, I’ve always strived to be evidence-based in all that I do, with the family and patient at the center of the care I provide.
career achievements:
Lead Inpatient Speech-Language Pathologist at her current hospital
Certified Neonatal Therapist (CNT)
ASHA Early Career Professional Certificate Awardee in 2020
Dysphagia Outreach Project Volunteer of the Month
Member of ASHA SIG 13 Professional Development Committee, TSHA Medical Executive Committee, IDDSI Task Force, and the Diversity & Inclusion Committee at Stephen F. Austin State University
Supervises graduate student clinicians in medical externships
Runs a regional journal club: ETX Medical SLP Journal Club
Volunteers with Feeding Matters, Dysphagia Outreach Project, and National Foundation of Swallowing Disorders.
Future career goals:
Currently, Rebecca is pursuing her board certification in swallowing and swallowing disorders. This year, Rebecca would like to increase her lactation training and expand her pediatric dysphagia practice.
What made you reach out to partner with Leigh Ann and the SUP Fellowship?
SUP is dedicated to the provision of evidence-based information to the busy clinician in a digestible format. Leigh Ann desires to connect medical SLPs with experts in the field that face the dilemmas we face every day. These experts provide listeners with camaraderie, encouragement, and, most importantly, evidence-based solutions to our clinical challenges. Given all that Leigh Ann has contributed to this field, I’m grateful for the opportunity to learn from her, network with awesome SLPs, and teach others about what I have learned thus far.
Connect with Rebecca!
Instagram: @rfbrownslp
Facebook: Rebecca Brown