Madison Snow, M.S., CHS-Downers Grove Speech-Language Pathology Class of 2019
“ Nothing is more beneficial to you or your patients than approaching situations with kindness and a willingness to learn. ”
What are you doing now/ where do you practice?
I am currently staying home with my son, however, prior to having him last year I worked for a clinic called Dynamic Strides in Republic, MO. It is an amazing nonprofit clinic that offers speech, PT, and OT in the clinic setting or while on horseback. This type of therapy is called hippotherapy and helps so many children with mild to severe needs reach their therapy goals.
What is something you are proud of?
I am very proud of the risk I took with my first job after graduating from Midwestern University. When you finish school, you have an idea of what you’d like to do, but it’s not until you step out of your comfort zone and try new things that you truly learn what you’re most passionate about. For me, that was specializing in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). I was offered a job with a clinic that specialized in AAC called Jill Tullman and Associates while living in Denver, CO. I accepted the position thinking it would be a stepping stone for me. However, it quickly turned into what I feel is my calling in the Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) world.
Also, shout out to Mrs. Kathleen Post (Associate Professor, Speech-Language Pathology) for being an amazing teacher of AAC. Many of my coworkers did not get the benefit of taking a course in graduate school on AAC. I have referred back to what she taught us many times!
Who are your female role models?
My biggest female role model is my grandma. She was a hard worker and was the perfect example of a woman who handled every situation with grace and kindness.
Did you have a female mentor while you were at MWU?
While at Midwestern, Dr. Patricia Gibbons was always willing to meet with me and give advice when I needed it.
What advice do you have for women who want to go into healthcare careers?
In whatever you do, work hard, strive for the best, but do it with kindness and humility. Many times, as women, we feel the need to prove ourselves and we quickly compare. However, in the healthcare world, nothing is more beneficial to you or your patients than approaching situations with kindness and a willingness to learn.
