Kathy Carroll, '04 SLP Alumna and executive director of SASLPA.
Photo supplied.
From assisting acute care patients to leading the Saskatchewan Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists, University of Alberta alumna Kathy Carroll strives to make a difference in both the lives of the patients she works with and the profession she loves.
Carroll completed her MSc Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) at the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine in 2004, then found her calling working with adults in acute care. When she started out in Yorkton, Saskatchewan, after graduation doing a mix of pediatric public health and adult care, Carroll found her work with adult patients immensely rewarding.
"Then the opportunity for a full-time adult acute care position became available in Regina in 2006, and I relocated to pursue my passion," says Carroll.
Carroll worked as an SLP to improve daily lives of patients from the head and neck cancer and general medicine populations. She is most interested in helping those who suffer from dysphagia, an impairment in a person's ability to swallow, often working with patients following cardiac surgery. She also works with patients with head and neck cancer who have had a laryngectomy as part of cancer treatment, assisting them with prostheses that allow them to regain their ability to speak.
After working in the field for 10 years, Carroll felt she wanted to give back to the profession that had given her such rewarding experiences. She set out to assist the Saskatchewan Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists. Little did she know that a few years later, she would be taking the reins of the regulatory organization.
"I decided to throw in my hat for the election of the president of the association, and actually got appointed!" Carroll smiles.
As President-Elect, Carroll learned more about the organization's challenges, what they needed and what they wanted to accomplish, and felt she could help lead the organization toward its goals. So, in November 2014 when the executive director role at the association opened up, she applied.
"I was looking for a challenge and it presented itself, and it's been great-a wonderful learning opportunity," says Carroll. "Becoming involved with the regulatory body has offered new challenges, opportunities for professional and personal growth and the chance to learn about different aspects of the speech-language pathology and audiology professions."
In her role as executive director, Carroll assists the regulatory body's council, made up of volunteer members of the profession. She is currently spearheading a proposal to have the association's name and legislation changed to reflect its regulatory duties. She is also focusing on increasing the association's exposure to increase confidence in members who need to call with a concern or complaint. "I do the behind-the-scenes work that makes the organization function. Council comes up with the ideas and then I do the leg work," says Carroll with a chuckle.
On top of her work as executive director, Carroll has continued working with patients in the Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region part-time.
Lu-Anne McFarlane, associate chair of UAlberta's Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders was eager to celebrate the alumna's achievements: "Our program encourages our graduates to think of themselves as leaders in their profession. As a past President of the Saskatchewan Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists and now as the executive director of that association, Kathy is a role model for leadership and service to the professions. It's a great accomplishment for someone so early in their career."