Fresh out of college, Kate Schweitzer was hired in June of 2006 as a new speech and language pathologist at North Country Hospital. Little did she know six years later she’d be heading up the department.
Kate took over the helms of the department in early February when she accepted the position of the clinical supervisor.
“Not much will change in the department,” Kate said. “We’re going to continue to provide great patient care and work on keeping open communication with the other departments we work closely with.”
The clinical supervisor’s position came open earlier this year when Lisa Erwin Davidson, who, as North Country’s first speech and language pathologist, who built the department, stepped down so she could teach on a part-time basis at the University of Vermont. Lisa will continue to work part time at North Country.
Kate is quick to commend her former boss, who will remain her colleague within the department.
“Lisa and I have always worked well together,” Kate said. “She has excellent clinical skills and great knowledge. I am proud of her for pursuing her interests in teaching.”
Kate arrived at North Country to complete her clinical fellowship after graduating Summa Cum Laude from the University of Rhode Island with a Masters Degree in Speech and Language. It was her first job in her profession, one she has never left.
“I love it here at North Country, and I love it in Vermont,” Kate said six years after being hired, days after learning she’d be heading up the department.
A native of Connecticut, Kate explained a number of factors led her to a career in speech and language. One was watching her grandmother struggle to regain her speech and language skills following a stroke. Also, between receiving her bachelor’s degree and master’s degree she worked as a behavioral specialist in Connecticut. In this position she noted the frustration of some of her clients because of their inability to express themselves.
After graduating from college, she knew she wanted to leave the area and head to somewhere in Vermont.
“I wanted to leave Rhode Island,” she said. “I had been to Vermont many times growing up and couldn’t picture myself staying in Connecticut or Rhode Island or anywhere else where it was busy.” She also wanted to move to a place where there were lots of things to do outside year round, such as gardening during the summer and ice fishing in the winter. When she learned of a job opening in North Country’s Speech and Language Pathology Department while browsing the Internet she jumped to apply.
“It was a good decision,” Kate said. “I haven’t had any regrets.”
In addition to serving both inpatients and outpatients, Kate provides services to 4 of the areas nursing homes, Home Health, and serves several students at 2 of the local high schools.
The Speech and Language department at North Country Hospital is located in the Medical Arts Building. Speech and language therapists are committed to ensuring that all people with speech, language, and hearing disorders receive services to help them communicate effectively. Working with the full range of human communication and its disorders, speech-language pathologists evaluate, diagnose, and treat speech, language, and cognitive-communication and swallowing disorders.