The University of Georgia Speech and Hearing Clinic

The University of Georgia Speech and Hearing Clinic For over 70 years, the UGA Speech and Hearing Clinic has provided quality care for Georgians.

The UGA Speech and Hearing Clinic, housed within the Department of Communication Sciences and Special Education, is a clinical training site for graduate students earning a master’s degree in speech-language pathology. Here, students get hands-on training from experienced faculty and professionals, while providing comprehensive prevention, evaluation, and treatment of hearing, swallowing, and comm

unication disorders and differences. Graduate students work under the supervision of state-licensed and nationally certified audiologists and speech-language pathologists. At the same time, the clinic provides a valuable service to the community, providing testing and screening for all ages for more than 60 years. Our services are on the forefront of current practices, based on current research.

Throwback to our AAC Community Challenge! 📱🗣️Our students stepped outside the classroom and into real-world communicatio...
06/10/2026

Throwback to our AAC Community Challenge! 📱🗣️

Our students stepped outside the classroom and into real-world communication, using only AAC for two hours in the community. In this immersive experience designed by Mrs. Vergara, students took turns serving as both an AAC user and communication partners while completing tasks such as ordering at cafés, asking for help, introducing themselves to unfamiliar communication partners, and navigating everyday interactions using AAC.

Students reflected on the challenges as well as the strategies that supported successful interactions. Experiencing both roles highlighted the importance of patience, active listening, flexibility, and presuming competence in all communicative exchanges.

Communication doesn’t only happen in therapy rooms…it happens in communities. Experiences like these help prepare future professionals to create environments where everyone can communicate, connect, and participate meaningfully. 💙

Dabirichi ChukwueziDabirichi is finishing up her last clinical placement at the Marjorie Nicholas Aphasia Center in Bost...
05/29/2026

Dabirichi Chukwuezi

Dabirichi is finishing up her last clinical placement at the Marjorie Nicholas Aphasia Center in Boston.
She is applying for her CF and taking the comprehensive exams. She has been attending various conferences (NBASLH, was at ASHA participating in MSLP).

Working part time with an in-home ABA company, she serves clients all over the greater Boston area.
Dabirichi also works a graduate assistantship position in her school’s simulation learning lab, where she facilitates and sets up various health simulations and teaches students through the simulations. She also has a small side business decorating custom cakes and desserts! 🍰🍪

Our second-years had a Wicked 💚 good time learning from PRC-Saltillo and TobiiDynavox consultants and ambassadors today!...
05/28/2026

Our second-years had a Wicked 💚 good time learning from PRC-Saltillo and TobiiDynavox consultants and ambassadors today!
Thank you, Kyleigh Kramlich, Naiya Daves, Nicole Palumbo, and Gillat Sternberg for coming together for good 💚.

Students also practiced using many access methods across a variety of AAC devices. Swipe to see some messages our students created by using eye gaze!

Our graduate students have completed 4 days of their intensive 6-day augmentative and alternative (AAC) Maymester course...
05/27/2026

Our graduate students have completed 4 days of their intensive 6-day augmentative and alternative (AAC) Maymester course!

We are so grateful for our guest speakers who have shared their time and knowledge about AAC so far.

Oscar Kvitko and his mom, Mary, shared their personal insights as both an AAC user and caregiver. Jennifer Ro, from Georgia Tools for Life, shared information on our state’s Assistive Technology program and device navigation.

The fun continues tomorrow!

Ainsley Vergara and graduate clinician Kaitlyn Murphy presented at ESP today to nearly 200 volunteers, interns, and staf...
05/26/2026

Ainsley Vergara and graduate clinician Kaitlyn Murphy presented at ESP today to nearly 200 volunteers, interns, and staff members! 🎉

This session highlighted the importance of AAC (augmentative and alternative communication), respectful communication strategies, and creating inclusive environments as everyone prepares for a summer full of camps and connection. 💬
Attendees practiced creating and interacting with low-tech AAC boards related to camp activities.

Thank you, ESP, for prioritizing communication access and meaningful inclusion for all campers! 💙 .athens

Another Amazing alumni spotlight: Avery Waters Class of 2023"After graduating from UGA with my master’s in speech-langua...
05/26/2026

Another Amazing alumni spotlight:

Avery Waters
Class of 2023

"After graduating from UGA with my master’s in speech-language pathology in 2023, I completed my CF year at a pediatric private practice. I still work in the pediatric private practice setting where I serve children with a very wide range of disorders, disabilities, and differences.

I have been busy since graduating; I’ve hosted 14 undergraduate students through the UGA Intern for a Day program, volunteered with a non-profit that hosts monthly bilingual language groups; and organized various AAC trainings and workshops.

My biggest passion is working with those who require AAC! Putting communication in the hands of children is truly life changing. I have the BEST job!"

Amya Watson is a first-year Speech-Language Pathology graduate clinician at Howard University, where she is preparing to...
05/22/2026

Amya Watson is a first-year Speech-Language Pathology graduate clinician at Howard University, where she is preparing to become a culturally responsive clinician and advocate for equitable access to communication services. A proud alumna of University of Georgia, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Education in Communication Sciences and Disorders, graduating cm laude while actively engaging in leadership, mentorship, and community outreach initiatives.

As an OSEP Scholar through the U.S. Department of Education’s Project Specialized Preparation in Explicit Education for Communication and High-Intensity Needs, Amya is passionate about supporting individuals with complex communication profiles and increasing representation within the field of Speech-Language Pathology. Her clinical experiences include providing speech-language intervention for children with autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome, developmental language disorders, articulation and phonological disorders, and fluency needs across school, clinic, telehealth, and behavioral settings.

In addition to her clinical work, Amya is actively involved in bilingual language research through Howard University’s Oasis Bilingual Center, where she contributes to research examining language samples in Dominican children. She also co-presented preliminary research findings at the National Black Association for Speech-Language and Hearing Conference.

Another amazing alumni spotlight!⭐Hannah Lessley (Class of 2023)"After graduating from the UGA CMSD master's program in ...
05/20/2026

Another amazing alumni spotlight!⭐

Hannah Lessley (Class of 2023)

"After graduating from the UGA CMSD master's program in 2023, I completed my clinical fellowship in acute care at Emory Johns Creek Hospital. Since then, I’ve continued working with Emory on a PRN basis while also working full time at St. Mary’s Health Care System in Athens, where I work with adults in both acute care and outpatient settings.

My clinical interests include treating speech, cognitive-linguistic, and swallowing deficits, but my favorite population to work with is individuals with aphasia. One of the most rewarding parts of my career so far has been helping launch a biweekly aphasia group in our outpatient clinic, creating a supportive space for connection, communication, and growth."

2026 Maymester Voice Disorders Course Wrap-Up!Under the expert guidance of Dr. Santus, our students spent an intensive M...
05/19/2026

2026 Maymester Voice Disorders Course Wrap-Up!

Under the expert guidance of Dr. Santus, our students spent an intensive Maymester learning to assess and treat a wide range of voice disorders, from muscle tension dysphonia and Parkinson’s voice (using both LSVT and SPEAK OUT!®) to voice restoration following head and neck cancer. We also explored essential topics including trauma-informed care and special populations such as veterans and individuals living with chronic pain.

A special thank you to Dr. Woody Rule for kicking off the Maymester with us and sharing his wealth of knowledge, engaging demonstrations, and creative teaching techniques that brought voice concepts to life for our students.

A huge THANK YOU to the incredible guest speakers who generously shared their expertise, experiences, and time with us:

🎤 Mr. Bryan Howard, Professional Singer and Voice Talent
🗣️ Ms. Lindsay Sammon, M.Ed., CCC-SLP, Northside Hospital Gwinnett
📊 Mr. Eric Seymour, Pentax Medical
🎓 Dr. Deana Frink, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, CCSD
🌐 Dr. Cynthia Fox, CEO of LSVT Global
🎶 Mr. Brian Petty, M.A., CCC-SLP, Emory Voice Center

In addition to powerful guest lectures and graduate student case study presentations, our students completed 10+ hours of hands-on voice evaluation and treatment training through Simucase, clinical simulations, and labs. Thank you to the UGA CMSD clinical supervisors for spending time with us to achieve those hours as well.

To our amazing now second years: you put in the work, gained powerful tools, and are now ready to serve future voice patients with skill and compassion and fun. Keep learning!
-Dr. S

📣

This month, we are highlighting some of our amazing alumni! 🎓Here is what Sierra Smith (Class of 2022) is up to now!"I j...
05/18/2026

This month, we are highlighting some of our amazing alumni! 🎓

Here is what Sierra Smith (Class of 2022) is up to now!

"I just finished my first year as a doctoral student at Howard University where I am focusing on AAC, language processing, and cultural and linguistic diversity. I’m especially interested in how cognitive and linguistic systems interact, and how that knowledge can be used to improve AAC assessment and intervention for culturally and linguistically diverse individuals."

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110 Carlton Street, 593 Aderhold Hall
Athens, GA
30602

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

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