Dr. Kennetha Mentor graduated from the inaugural class of the Doctor of Clinical Science in Speech-Language Pathology (ClinScD SLP) program at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions (RMUoHP).
On Saturday, March 24, 2018, Dr. Mentor received the 2018 MSHA (Michigan Speech Language Hearing Association) Outstanding Clinician of Year Award at the 2018 MSHA Conference in Kalamazoo, Michigan. This award is presented to speech-language pathologists who provide evidence-based practice in their field and exhibit best clinical practice.
The MSHA Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) Healthcare Committee confers this award in conjunction with their mission to support and represent the needs of speech-language pathologists working in the community, private practice, healthcare, or medical settings. They work to monitor and respond to issues affecting the provision of services in these settings.
Dr. Mentor was nominated by her colleagues, and as part of the nomination process, she was visited by three senior speech-language pathologists from MSHA, in which they observed her therapy sessions, interviewed staff and patients, and reviewed her documentation (evaluations, progress reports, and discharges). Dr. Mentor states, “I am honored to have received this award. Thank you to RMUoHP for instilling in me the importance of evidence-based practice and encouraging us to go back to our communities and be the change we wish to see in the world.”
“As a clinician, I hope that I am setting an example for my students and mentees. We have to stay at the forefront of healthcare. We have to attend and participate in local and national conventions. Our patients should be our number one priority. We have to be advocates for our patients. In the words of Mahatma Gandhi, ‘Be the change you wish to see in the world.’”
Dr. Mentor first became interested in the ClinScD SLP program at RMUoHP because she was interested in pursuing a clinical doctoral degree in speech-language pathology that emphasized evidence-based practice and clinical expertise. She also looked forward to traveling to Utah, meeting professionals in her field, pursuing a higher degree, and building upon her evidence-based practice skills.
Through her time as a student at RMUoHP, Dr. Mentor came to describe the culture as “friendly and family-oriented staff and students. The staff is committed to the success of their students and promotes students to be change agents in the world of healthcare. I was able to reach my professors via cell phone, email, and text messages. They made themselves available whenever I needed them, even on the weekends!”
“The fondest memories I have include the onsite visits with the SLP [cohort] 1. We are a special group of colleagues. We have laughed, cried, and encouraged each other through the process from start to finish. We have made lasting friendships even though we are spread across the country.”
When asked what advice she would give to someone who is looking into furthering his or her education at RMUoHP, Dr. Mentor stressed making sure that you do your research to make sure it would be a good fit for you. She says, “Do not do it because someone told you to do it. Do it because it’s what you want to do. You have to be committed and dedicated. It’s not an easy task; however, it is very rewarding at the end. The handshake and smile you receive from Dr. Nielson when you walk across the stage at graduation is the light at the end of the tunnel. Your hard work has paid off and you have reached your goal. Your commitment and determination is what will get you to the light at the end.”
For more information about the Doctor of Clinical Science in Speech-Language Pathology program at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions, visit the website at https://rm.edu/academics/doctor-clinical-science-speech-language-pathology/
