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HEAD AND NECK CENTER'S NEWEST SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST
Works with Brain-Injured Adults, Expands Outpatient Treatment for Children

As a speech-language pathologist at the Milton J. Dance Jr. Head and Neck Rehabilitation Center, Patti Bailey, MS, CCC/SLP helps adults with dysphagia, neurogenic speech and language disorders and voice disorders, as well as children with speech and language, voice or swallowing/feeding disorders.

Speech pathologist, Patti Bailey, uses a fiberoptic endoscope to assess a patient's swallowing function through direct observation of laryngeal and pharyngeal structures.

Noting the breadth of services at the Dance Center, Ms. Bailey explains that she never imagined herself in a hospital setting, but was intrigued after observing the Speech-Language Pathology staff while a student at GBMC. Her experience, as well as internships at the University of Maryland Medical System and duPont Hospital for Children solidified her decision to work in a hospital. In June 2003, she returned to GBMC as a clinical fellow. In March 2004, she was hired full-time.

“I thought I would enter the school system, but did a 180-degree turn when I saw how much I can accomplish here,” she explains. “I can work with adults recovering from stroke in the morning and children with speech or language challenges in the afternoon.”

Ms. Bailey comes to speech-language pathology after a career in rehabilitation, where she oversaw vocational and individual support services for non-profits. As such, she was charged with directing programs for adults with brain injuries and children with emotional disabilities.

Seeking a change in direction, she investigated speech-language pathology. She returned to school, earning Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Speech-Language Pathology from Towson University.

Her background makes her ideal to support a new Dance Center initiative to expand outpatient treatment of children with speech-language, reading or feeding/swallowing disorders.

Of her decision to make a career at GBMC, Bailey is confident. “I’m excited to be a member of such an outstanding team of professionals and to help patients achieve their goals.”