Megan W.

Speech & Language Pathology


“I wanted to continue to be a part of an innovative culture, both medically and academically.”

How did you first connect with Rush University Medical Center?
My mom and my aunt were both nurses and spoke highly of their experiences here. Then I decided to attend Rush University and completed my Master’s degree in the speech-language pathology program. I was drawn back to Rush as an employee because I wanted to continue to be a part of an innovative culture, both medically and academically.

Why did you accept a job here?
I was excited at the prospect of developing my clinical and professional skills in a fast-paced environment with diverse colleagues and diverse patient populations. I was also excited about the amount of opportunities for growth in the field. And I felt a sense of community and mentorship within the department.

What do you do at Rush?
I treat people with speech, language, cognitive-communicative, voice, fluency and swallowing disorders. The disorders could be congenital, developmental or acquired in nature. Differential diagnosis guides the treatment process. Then, our treatment and specific plan of care is derived from using the components of evidence-based practice, our clinical judgment and the specific goals of the patient.

What do you think about the work environment?
I particularly enjoy the interdisciplinary interaction – a necessity when you’re providing the highest level of care. Each day brings new challenges that require collaboration and a good attitude. I enjoy the fast pace and the critical thinking skills that I see put into practice every day.

Tell us about a good day at work.
When I can leave at the end of the day knowing I have improved at least one patient or family member’s day, that is my reward. I was thrilled to hear that a patient of mine with cognitive-linguistic deficits was holding a part-time job. He attributed this success to my help.

What does your future look like at Rush?
It’s my goal to continue to cross train and learn new specialties in our field. I am looking forward to implementing new diagnostic equipment to enhance the caliber of care we provide to our patients. I am also interested in potential research opportunities.