Speech Language Pathology Clinical Fellowship at UF Health Jacksonville

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association requires a clinical fellowship for all speech-language pathologists before they can earn their clinical certification. UF Health Jacksonville offers a unique clinical fellowship that gives fellows hands-on experience in both acute care and transitional care settings. Fellows receive mentorship from specialized, board-certified clinicians to help them develop skills while working with a wide range of patients.

Meet two of the current fellows

Courtney Williams, CF-SLP, Acute Care Clinical Fellow

As an acute care clinical fellow, I have the chance to work with patients across different specialties. I’ve gained experience in intensive care units for cardiovascular care, neurology, pediatrics, surgery and trauma. I also work with patients who have oral and maxillofacial needs, including those with head and neck cancer, as well as those with cognitive-communication disorders, dysphagia, motor speech issues and more.

One of the most unique parts of my fellowship is the chance to observe different settings, such as the outpatient otolaryngology clinic, where I work with head and neck cancer patients who use special voice prostheses. I also visit the outpatient amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, clinic, where I collaborate with a team of medical professionals to help patients with ALS.

Additionally, I’ve gained experience in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, where I assist with feedings and help newborns with oral motor exercises.

UF Health Jacksonville is a safety-net hospital, serving the uninsured and underserved populations of Jacksonville. It’s rewarding to be part of a team that provides high-quality care to people who often lack access to health care. This fellowship has helped me refine my ability to explain complex health information clearly, especially to patients with low-health literacy.

Though I’m still early in my fellowship, I feel I’ve grown significantly as a clinician. Working in an acute care setting requires flexibility and patience. Every day is a chance to improve and grow as both a professional and as a person.

Amelia Kirby, CF-SLP, Transitional Care Unit Clinical Fellow

I began my fellowship in October 2024, and it’s been an amazing experience working in both inpatient rehabilitation and acute care. In acute care, I work with patients who have been newly admitted to the hospital with various illnesses or injuries. It’s a fast-paced environment where I have to stay alert and adjust to new situations quickly.

In the Transitional Care Unit, I work with patients who need more time to recover and can have more frequent, intensive therapy. It’s been great to see patients’ progress in this setting as we work together to help them meet their rehabilitation goals.

One of my favorite assignments is working with patients who have aphasia, a disorder that makes it hard for people to understand or express language. I’ve worked with these patients throughout my career and I love helping them improve their communication skills, whether through word-finding exercises or improving their ability to understand and express language.

I’ve learned a lot about teamwork during my fellowship. I work closely with physical and occupational therapists, and we share insights that help our patients in multiple ways. This collaboration is key to providing the best care possible.

As a clinical fellow I’ve learned that graduate school can fully prepare you for everything there is to speech therapy. It can be overwhelming at times, but I’ve grown a lot in my confidence and skills. I’m excited for what the future holds as I continue to learn and grow as a speech-language pathologist.

Expanding Fellowship Opportunities

UF Health Jacksonville is expanding its fellowship program this year to include a clinical fellow in the outpatient setting at the Leon L. Haley Jr., MD, Brain Wellness Program.

Visit UFHealthJax.org/SLP-fellowship to learn more about the speech-language pathology fellowship at UF Health Jacksonville.