Speech-Language Pathology Clinical Fellowship Program

The Tampa General Hospital Speech-Language Pathology Clinical Fellowship position is an entry-level Speech-Language Pathology position intended to provide mentorship and advanced practice experience with a rare and complex adult acute-care patient population. Tampa General Hospital is a 1,040-bed non-profit hospital, tertiary, research and academic medical center located on Davis Island in Tampa, Florida. The Clinical Fellow will interact professionally with specialty services, including physicians, nutrition, nursing, case management and other rehabilitation therapies. The Clinical Fellow will gain experience and provide evidence-based services in all areas of Medical Speech-Language Pathology, including evaluation/treatment of individuals with dysphagia, speech and language disorders, cognitive-linguistic disorders, voice disorders, and tracheostomy. The Clinical Fellow will have mentoring by experienced clinicians, participate in didactic learning experiences, as well as complete additional learning opportunities through evidence-based projects.

Fellowship Admission Requirements

The following are prerequisites for an applicant to apply for the TGH Speech-Language Pathology Clinical Fellowship:

  • A one-page cover letter describing your interest in the position, previous experience in medical speech pathology, goals for your career, and attributes that make you the best candidate for this position.
  • Three professional references.
  • Two letters of recommendation with at least one from a colleague/mentor who can speak to your clinical skills.

Fellowship Qualifications

  • Education – Master's degree in Speech Pathology.
  • Provisional licensure by the State of Florida as a Speech-Language Pathologist.

Desirable Qualities and Experiences

  • Exposure to and passion for an acute care setting or complex adult medical conditions prior to this clinical fellowship experience.
  • Exposure to Modified Barium Swallow Studies.
  • Desire to expand upon the current evidence-based practice.
  • Research experience and/or presentation experience.

Features of Our Clinical Fellowship

  • The Clinical Fellow will gain experience and provide evidence-based services in all areas of acute care Medical Speech-Language Pathology, including evaluation/treatment of individuals with dysphagia, speech and language disorders, cognitive-linguistic disorders, voice disorders, tracheostomy and more.
  • Exposure to unique populations: inline PMV, transplant (heart, lung, kidney, liver, and multi-organ; one of the top organ transplant centers in the nation), head and neck cancer, trauma (Level I Trauma Center), burn, stroke (Comprehensive Stroke Center).
  • Extensive orientation period with direct mentorship from our robust team with many different areas of interest and expertise.
  • Designated Clinical Fellowship Mentor.
  • Didactic Learning to include bi-weekly mentorship meetings, rounds, surgery observation, designated time for literature review, conducting quarterly SLP journal club, interdisciplinary observation, scholarly project, presentations, etc.
  • Certifications

SLP Clinical Fellowship Application Process

  • The application process will open in January.
  • The deadline for all clinical fellowship applications is February 1st of each year.

The Fellows

Current

Tess Ellis, M.S., CF-SLP

Undergraduate School: University of California, Davis
Graduate school: Vanderbilt University
Hometown: Sacramento, California
Professional Interests: Dysphagia, tracheostomy, aphasia, and cognition. I'm especially interested in the cardiothoracic/transplant and neurology patient populations!
Hobbies: Being active/outdoors (including running, wakeboarding, and snowboarding), reading, volunteering with shelter animals
Why TGH?: At TGH, I found a clinical fellowship that provides me the opportunity to grow my clinical skills working with medically complex-patients in an acute care setting while learning from experienced and dedicated mentors. I could tell immediately from my interview that the SLP team at TGH is collaborative and have now seen how they prioritize implementing evidence-based practice while simultaneously advocating for their patients. I also value the didactic portion of the clinical fellowship that incorporates research and an ongoing learning component in my training.
Favorite spot in Tampa: Bayshore Boulevard, Hyde Park Village, and the Riverwalk

Chelsey Smithwick M.S., CF-SLP

Undergraduate School: University of Maryland, College Park
Graduate school: Northwestern University
Hometown: Falmouth, Maine
Professional Interests: Dysphagia, trach/vent, neurodegenerative disorders, and transplant
Hobbies: Boating, walking, Pilates, and traveling
Why TGH?: The clinical fellowship program at TGH stood out to me as it truly sets you up for success in becoming a medical SLP. The program is highly designed to expose you to all medical areas/specialties in the acute care setting. From day one, the TGH SLP team has been incredibly supportive in my growth as an independent clinician. The allotted didactic opportunities have allowed me to pursue certifications and continue to learn about areas that I am interested in. I could not have asked for a better CF experience!
Favorite spot in Tampa: Hyde Park Village and Bayshore Boulevard

Alumni

Hannah Folks, M.S., SLP-CF (2023-2024

Undergraduate School: Duke University
Graduate school: University of North Carolina
Hometown: Woodbridge, Virginia
Professional Interests: Trach/vent, aphasia, head and neck cancer, transplant
Hobbies: Dance, paddle boarding, hiking with my dog
Why TGH?: The opportunities offered at TGH are truly unique. In addition to providing experience across all areas of acute care, the fellowship incorporates extensive didactic experience. I love having dedicated time to pursue my own research interests, observe surgeries, complete trainings, or conduct journal clubs. The culture of the hospital and team are also wonderful. From my initial interactions during the interview, I could tell that TGH has a welcoming, supportive group of SLPs. I knew the fellowship structure combined with the team at TGH would create a great environment to work and learn in.
Favorite spot in Tampa: Bayshore Boulevard, Sparkman Wharf

Ashley Thomas, M.S., CCC-SLP (2022-2023)

Undergraduate school: Florida State University
Graduate school: University of Washington
Hometown: Palm Harbor, Florida
Professional Interests: Dysphagia, voice/head & neck cancer, trach/vent, neurodegenerative disorders.
Hobbies: Cooking, traveling, hiking, being out on the water
Why TGH?: Coming into my CF, I wanted to be a part of an institution that challenged my clinical skillset. TGH does this through implementing evidence-based practice while exceeding the standards in regards to treatment and level of care for their medically complex patients. During the interview process, I felt as if the department truly valued my learning and development as a clinician. I am constantly supported in my clinical learning by the team, my direct mentorship, and didactic learning opportunities. I know that TGH will set a strong foundation for my career in medical SLP!
Favorite spot in Tampa: Hyde park village, Sand key/Indian rocks beach

 

Tara Segalewitz, M.A., CCC-SLP (2021-2022)

Undergraduate school: University of Florida
Graduate school: University of Florida
Hometown: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Professional Interests: Dysphagia, transplant, GI, trachs/vents
Hobbies: Baking, traveling, shopping, watching reality TV
Why TGH?: TGH specializes in my primary areas of interest. I also wanted to be part of a team where collaboration and being advocates for patients is a central focus. TGH has made me feel like such a valued member of the team and given me such a great group of mentors.
Favorite spot in Tampa: Armature Works/beach

 

Lacey Trevisani, M.S., CCC-SLP (2020-2021)

Undergraduate school: University of Florida
Graduate school: University of South Florida
Hometown: Tampa, Florida
Professional Interests: Head and neck cancer with focus on TEP placement, cardiac/transplant patients
Hobbies: Concerts, exercise, rollerblading, beach
Why TGH?: TGH is an amazing facility with a variety of complex patients who continue to challenge my thinking and clinical skills constantly. Tampa General is also focused on safe and compassionate health care with a focus on interdisciplinary practice. Team members here strive for excellence with reliable communication methods to make sure each patient is being treated to the best of TGH's ability. Tampa General challenges me and pushes me to think outside the box and always keep improving and growing myself and within my department. Working here has made me the clinician I am today, and I will continue learning as long as I work here.
Favorite spot in Tampa: Armature Works/beach

 

Apply Today
Apply Today
(813) 844-7226