Department of Speech-Language Pathology Partners with Atlantic Health System

Seton Hall University's Department of Speech-Language Pathology has partnered with Atlantic Health System, a leading healthcare organization in New Jersey, to provide community programs that enhance communication and social interaction for people of all ages. The offerings include a pediatric play-based language group, an aphasia support group and Loud CROWD, a maintenance program for individuals with Parkinson’s Disease.

Developed collaboratively by Seton Hall faculty and Kathryn Bradley, M.A., CCC-SLP, manager of outpatient speech therapy and audiology for Atlantic Health System, the initiatives provide valuable experiential learning for students in Seton Hall’s Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (M.S. in S.L.P.) program.

Play Group Unites Students, Alumna

Created by Bradley and Seton Hall’s Megan Baumley, M.S., CCC-SLP, director of clinical education, Department of Speech-Language Pathology, the play-based language group is offered at no cost to participating families. It promotes play and language development in two- to three-year-olds during weekly sessions. Seton Hall M.S. in S.L.P. students, under the supervision of Atlantic Health System’s Valerie Villanueva, M.S. ‘22, CCC-SLP, engage children in activities that foster expressive and receptive language while counseling caregivers on strategies to support language growth.

Second-year M.S. in S.L.P. students Angela Acosta, Ashley Bernhammer, Kaylen Christiansen and Nicole Ribeiro assist with the play group. Acosta shared, “This program has given me a rewarding opportunity to support our community and witness the children’s growth during our play sessions.” Villanueva added, “As an alumna, I’m honored to give back to Seton Hall by mentoring future S.L.P.s.”

Supporting Adults with Aphasia

Supervised by Atlantic Health System therapists Olivia Ayala, M.A., CCC-SLP and Victor DeSario, M.A., CCC-SLP, this monthly group fosters social communication among adults with aphasia through engaging activities like bingo, idioms and “name that tune.” Seton Hall’s Laura Caruso and Emily Schwartz, second-year M.S. in S.L.P. students, help facilitate the sessions. Caruso remarked, “It’s inspiring to witness the camaraderie among participants and make a meaningful impact on their well-being while enhancing my clinical knowledge.”

Empowering People with Parkinson’s

Since 2022, Seton Hall’s M.S. in S.L.P. department and Atlantic Health System have offered a SPEAK OUT! LOUD Crowd program for individuals with Parkinson’s Disease. This virtual, twice monthly therapy group helps participants maintain vocal strength and quality while engaging in social communication. With support from training grants supplied by the Parkinson Voice Project for the past four years, Seton Hall faculty have trained M.S. in S.L.P. students to facilitate LOUD Crowd support groups.

Morgan Okula, a second-year M.S. in S.L.P. student who has been assisting with the program, said that she values the opportunity to connect with participants on a personal level. Members have conversations about their lives throughout the sessions, making Okula's efforts even more meaningful, she said. "Seeing the progress these individuals make is so rewarding, and getting to know them during our sessions adds another layer to my understanding of their challenges living with Parkinson’s Disease."

Department Chair Caryn Grabowski, MS, CCC-SLP, expressed pride in Seton Hall’s ongoing partnership with Atlantic Health System. “These programs contribute meaningfully to the lives of participants in our community, while providing students with hands-on opportunities to develop their clinical skills,” she said. Through the collaboration, students gain valuable exposure to real-world challenges and experiences that prepare them for professional practice.

Grabowski added, “We are extremely fortunate to have developed a partnership with Kate Bradley and the entire team at Atlantic Health Rehabilitation and we look forward to continuing our success in providing great programs that benefit everyone involved."

Categories: Education, Health and Medicine