Exponential growth in technology is forever altering the landscape of health care. Currently, 60 percent of millennials would prefer a virtual health care experience to in-person care. Lack of access to services remains a growing issue for populations in both rural and urban areas.

“It’s incredibly important that clinicians represent the populations they serve.” For Mariah Morton—a 2019 graduate of the communication sciences and disorders program—this is a statement she lives by. Her time at the College of Health Sciences prepared her to become both a devoted clinician and advocate for inclusivity in health care.     

November is National Family Caregivers Month—a time to reflect on and honor the sacrifices caregivers around the world make for their family members. We spoke with participants in the UK College of Health Sciences Aphasia Lab, and the people who do life with them each day, who shared their stories of hardship and joy.

As modern technology evolves, the medical professions are following suit thanks to the hard work of practitioners like Vrushali Angadi, PhD, CCC-SLP. Angadi, a speech-language pathologist and assistant professor with the communication sciences and disorders program at the College of Health Sciences—with the assistance of her colleagues Drs.

Communication sciences and disorders (CSD) major Eman Issa has gotten in trouble her whole life for being too talkative. “I really love to talk,” she said. “So, when I found out I could go to school to help other people talk, I knew exactly where I belonged.” 

On February 21, conversation filled the room as communications sciences and disorders senior Kennedy Guess made her way from table to table thanking her guests for coming to the first annual Still We Rise Banquet—an event borne out of her own resilience and journey to honor UK students facing adversity.

Communication Sciences and Disorders

What would you say is your number one career advantage you received by completing your education at CHS?

Speech-Language Pathologist, UK HealthCare

Communication Sciences and Disorders, 2009

What is your current title?
Speech-Language Pathologist, UK HealthCare

Assistant Professor, Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Pennsylvania State University

Communication Sciences and Disorders (Master's degree), '09

Rehabilitation Sciences Doctoral Program, 2014

What is your current title?

Assistant Professor, Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Pennsylvania State University