GREENVILLE, Pa.—The Thiel College clinic within its Center for Speech-Language Services continues to welcome more clients by providing free assistance to those in need of speech, language, cognition, voice, and hearing screenings and evaluations.
The Center and clinic opened about two years ago in the Glen Johnson Center on campus. David S. Ford, Ph.D., Clinic Director and Assistant Professor, Speech-Language Pathologist, Center for Speech-Language Services, gives several reasons for its increase.
“I attribute the growth to the fact that we have cutting-edge faculty working within the Center, using state-of-the-art equipment and all of the services we provide are free to clients,” says Ford. “Because of our faculty’s diverse backgrounds, we offer a wide range of services covering all aspects of communication disorders.”
Ford says communication disorders include, but aren’t limited to: individuals who have suffered strokes or traumatic brain injuries who may be having difficulty producing or understanding speech and language (i.e. aphasia, dysarthria); management of swallowing disorders and head and neck cancer; voice disorders (including teachers and other professional voice users); pediatric language disorders; speech sound disorders; cognitive communication disorders; and stuttering and fluency disorders.
Two clients of the Clinic praise its services and its staff.
Going to the clinic was a life-enhancing experience for Margaret “Peg” Lehto, 81, of West Salem Township. Surgery for oral cancer 20 years ago and extensive follow up chemotherapy and radiation left Lehto with a prosthesis for a reconfigured jaw and a liquid-only diet.
"The clinic staff taught me exercises to use to ensure better swallowing to avoid choking, which had become an issue in recent months due to a locked jaw from radiation treatment," Lehto says.
“I praise the staff and students with all my heart. I read about the clinic about a year ago in the paper, reached out and they helped me immediately. Student therapists Nicole Plassio and Madeleine Campbell connected with me and taught me proper exercises and techniques to breathe and talk. We have become good friends along the way.”
Ashley Josay Zullo, Thiel’s vice president for enrollment management, is pleased with the progress of her son, Cameron, at the Clinic last fall. Five-year-old Cameron had some difficulty in Hermitage kindergarten pronouncing letters of l, r, and s and Zullo pursued speech therapy.
Students in Thiel’s Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) program provide services under the supervision of certified and licensed speech-language pathology faculty. It provides clinical experiences and helps students earn 400 clinical clock hours needed for certification and licensure.
The SLP field ranks very high in the U.S. News & World Reports 100 Best Jobs survey; with a median salary of more than $80,000 and high demand for filling jobs it is No. 3 in the healthcare category and No. 10 in the overall category. Survey criteria includes salary, match to talent and skills, open positions, and opportunities for promotion.
The clinic’s hours are Mondays and Wednesdays noon to 7 p.m.; Tuesdays 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 to 5 p.m.; and Thursdays 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
To make an appointment, call 724-589-2020.
About Thiel College
Thiel College is an independent college founded in the Lutheran tradition. Located in Greenville, Pa., the College offers 60 majors and minors, 24 varsity sports, and an 11:1 student-faculty ratio. The College is also home to a new Master of Science in speech-language pathology and 2Master of Business Administration. Both master’s degree programs offer innovative and accelerated five-year paths which allow students to earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree in five years. The speech-language pathology program also has an accelerated 15-month graduate-level program. The M.B.A. program also has a 12-month post-graduate program.A dedicated faculty paired with dynamic research and internship opportunities produce numerous graduate school and job placements. Coeducational from its beginnings, the College remains committed to combining tradition with innovation as it celebrates 150 years.