In his latest “Health Care Heart to Heart” podcast, now streaming, UNMC Chancellor Jeffrey P. Gold, MD, speaks with Sydney Norton, a speech language pathologist at the Munroe-Meyer Institute’s RiteCare Clinic in Hastings, Nebraska.
As Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month continues, Norton and Dr. Gold discuss the role of a speech language pathologist and the effect therapies can have on her young patients and their families.
“We always say we have the best job in the world, because we get to play all day,” Norton says. “And if we’re doing our job really well, that’s what it looks like — and the kids really don’t know any different. We get the joy of meeting kids where they’re at and going through the journey with parents, of getting a diagnosis and getting intervention.
“It is a really exciting job. It’s a really joyful job.”
Norton, whose work with one patient was featured in a story by UNMC strategic communications that won an award from the Association of American Medical Colleges, also speaks about the significance of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month.
“I think (it’s) just a message of acceptance, of accepting children, accepting people with disabilities, for their unique interests, for who they are, and taking the time to really slow down and listen to what they have to say, whatever form of communication that may be in, in order to learn and to develop with them,” she says.
“Health Care Heart to Heart” posts new podcasts every other week, as Dr. Gold speaks to national, regional and local health care leaders on issues of importance. On each new episode, Dr. Gold and his guests will share information, explore health care challenges and opportunities and leave listeners thinking about how they, too, can make a difference.
“Health Care Heart to Heart” episodes will be updated on the official podcast website and can be streamed on the following platforms: Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts.
Sydney, I am so proud to have you represent our department during IDD month! Nicely done! And, I did not know that your mom was a PT! Fun fact!
Well done Sydney and congratulations!! So thankful to you for spreading the word about the important work we do here at RiteCare Clinic Hastings | MMI with our little friends!