Prior to coming to Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions (RMUoHP), Dr. Heape didn’t have the confidence in her ability to use research to impact her speech-language pathology practice. “Evidence-based practice had long been a term that evoked fear in me, because I didn’t feel strong in my ability to critically analyze research and come to a valid conclusion about best practice.” But her short time at RMUoHP changed all that. She says, “Since attending RMUoHP, I’ve become much more of an evidence-based practitioner. I’ve changed the way I teach, the way I practice, and the way I work with other clinicians to challenge them as well.”
Amber Heape, ClinScD, CCC-SLP, CDP, had a lifelong goal of pursuing a doctoral degree. After she completed her master’s program in speech-language pathology (SLP), she paused her education to have a family. When she decided to get her doctorate, she looked for a program with these three characteristics, a program that was:
- Affordable
- Could be completed primarily online.
- Professionally challenging.
She said, “RMUoHP met all of those and more.” But Dr. Heape received much more than a check mark on her goals list after completing her Doctor of Clinical Science in Speech-Language Pathology program—she left with a doctorate and, as she says, “the knowledge needed to assure I am on the cutting edge of my profession!”
And not only did she walk away a better practitioner and teacher, but Dr. Heape left the program with a network of colleagues across the country. She attributes the onsite visits throughout the program to helping her connect with her classmates. “The onsite visits were some of my favorite times, as they allowed my cohort to spend time learning, laughing, and leaning on each other for support.” The program wasn’t easy for Dr. Heape or her classmates, but the connections they made with each other helped them achieve success. She says, “This experience is not for the faint at heart and having a village of people who were encountering the same challenges, celebrating the same successes, and encouraging each other along the way made the experience memorable. My classmates and I spent time outside of class getting to know each other and we still keep in touch to this day.” Now, she says, “I have a network of colleagues all across North America that I could call on to assist with any clinical challenge I encounter as a practitioner.”
Throughout the program, Dr. Heape learned that it’s important to not accept the status quo when it comes to speech-language pathology. “Therapy has changed so much in the past decade, and you can’t just keep doing the same therapy techniques you were doing 15 years ago, because in many cases research has shown us better ways.”
Dr. Heape is a great example of those who work hard to achieve their goals and accomplish their dreams. She currently works as a Clinical Specialist at PruittHealth Therapy Services, and she also teaches courses at both South Carolina State University and RMUoHP. Her doctorate degree opened many doors for her in both the clinic and in academia. “Since completing my degree, I have increased responsibilities of clinical education within my current role. I now work with over 100 facilities in four states, providing clinical education and support for OT, PT, and ST departments.” She adds, “ The opportunities for teaching have become so numerous that I’ve had to turn some down. This degree allowed me to have additional credibility as an educator!”
Her incredible achievements and hard work have been seen by more than just her workplace associates. Since graduation, Dr. Heape has been able to serve on various professional organizations, including as a State Advocate for Medicare Policy for the South Carolina Speech Language Hearing Association and on the American Speech and Hearing Association’s Leadership Development Program, Convention Committee, and SLP Advisory Council. Dr. Heape has received 8 ASHA Awards for Continuing Education, become LSVT certified so she can assist patients with Parkinson disease, and published numerous continuing education courses.
For her, she says, “I saw the program as an opportunity to show my daughters that anything is possible; they can achieve anything at any point in their lives if they work hard and put the time in. This program helped me show them how strong a woman can be and that they can have it all: family, education, career, home—the sky is the limit! There will be sacrifice involved in the quest, but the end goal is worth it!
She will tell anyone considering the SLP profession or the doctorate program at RMUoHP that “this will be one of the most difficult tasks of your life. Don’t expect it to be easy, quick, or painless. It will, however, also be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life.”
For more information about the Doctor of Speech-Language Pathology program at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions, visit our website.
Guest blog by Stephanie Bentley, Alumni Relations Manager.
