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Finding a passion does not always come easy, but all it takes is one experience to change your entire mindset.

�������’s College of Health Professions alumna, LaChana Flanders, MS CCC - SLP, found her passion for Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) towards the end of her undergraduate education, and she hasn’t looked back.

LaChana began her education as a biology major, but she always knew she wanted something more. A friend recommended that she enroll in an introduction to communication sciences and disorders course, and it was then that she fell in love with the field of CSD. That semester she changed her major and was ready to learn more. “I couldn't believe that my entire life I had no idea what speech language pathology was, or that there were such passionate, patient human beings in this world doing this type of work,” said LaChana.

������� was always one of LaChana’s top choice schools. When she saw that CHP created a Communication Sciences and Disorders master’s degree program, she knew it was where she was meant to be. After completing the program as an outstanding student, she explained that “My education at ������� provided me with externship opportunities that prepared me with real-life scenarios of both providing treatment and communicating with families/caregivers to honor what's best for my patients.”

“My education at ������� provided me with externship opportunities that prepared me with real-life scenarios of both providing treatment and communicating with families/caregivers to honor what's best for my patients.”

In her courses, she learned about all the different environments that speech language pathologists (SLP) can work in. She was most interested in a medical hospital or health care setting, however; she completed externships within school systems to experience everything that the CSD field had to offer. Although she loved her opportunities in education, she knew her heart was set on working within the healthcare industry.

As an established SLP working at Lord Chamberlain Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Stratford, Connecticut, LaChana has learned that when dealing with patients and their families or caregivers, the most important things to have are patience, honesty, and integrity. “While challenges are also rewarding, my biggest one is advocating for my patients and for myself as a healthcare provider and clinician when communicating with families or caregivers. I explain to caregivers why we are completing a particular plan of care, such as dysphagia diets and cognitive strategies, in addition to the evidenced-based support for treatment strategies to do what's best for the patient's recovery. Once that is understood, I remind the caregivers of my personal training and experiences through �������'s College of Health Professions program.” said LaChana.

LaChana advises all students to find their passion and follow what inspires them. “The most helpful advice I received was from two of my favorite CSD professors, Scott Youmans, PhD, department chair, and Linda Carozza, PhD, associate professor, that ‘if this setting and this specialty is something you are set on doing, do not give up. It is very competitive, but you have what you need and what it takes to make it’”, she quoted. “No matter how challenging it was to secure a position in the medical setting, I never gave up thanks to them!”