TMC SUCCESS STORIES
TMC SUCCESS STORIES
“During my clinical fellowship year, Nikki and Hylan played a crucial role in my professional development and growth as a speech-language pathologist.
Throughout my fellowship, Nikki and Hylan provided consistent and thoughtful mentorship. They were always approachable, offering guidance and support whenever I needed it. Nikki and Hylan fostered an environment of open communication, encouraging me to ask questions and seek advice. Their feedback was constructive and aimed at helping me improve my skills and confidence.
Both Nikki and Hylan were instrumental in developing my clinical skills. They provided numerous opportunities for hands-on practice and observed my sessions, offering detailed and practical feedback. Their patience and encouragement helped me to refine my techniques and build competence in an outpatient setting.
I am deeply grateful for the mentorship and guidance provided by Nikki and Hylan during my clinical fellowship year! Their expertise, dedication, and personal qualities have had a profound impact on my professional journey. I wholeheartedly recommend Nikki and Hylan as clinical fellowship supervisors for any aspiring speech-language pathologist!”
— Kassie C.
“Throughout my clinical fellowship year, I had the privilege of being mentored by an exceptional speech pathologist, Hylan. From the moment I met her, it was clear that she embodies the qualities of brilliance, joy, positivity, and kindness. Hylan's ability to connect with people is unparalleled. Whether interacting with children, parents, or colleagues, she effortlessly builds meaningful relationships. Her interpersonal skills create a supportive environment where everyone feels valued and understood.
As a clinician, Hylan is truly the epitome of excellence. Beyond being the best speech pathologist I have ever encountered, it is clear that she is passionate about sharing her knowledge and skills with others. Instead of simply providing answers, she engages in real-time demonstrations and encourages critical thinking by prompting me to consider solutions first. Through her feedback style, I always felt supported and guided, never judged or made to feel that I was doing something 'wrong'. This approach not only deepened my understanding, but also empowered me to develop my clinical skills with confidence.
Another one of Hylan's attributes that make her an incredible supervisor is her unwavering dependability. Whenever I had a question or encountered a challenge, I knew I could rely on her immediate support and guidance. Her commitment to my growth was evident in her prompt and thorough responses.
What sets Hylan apart is her genuine concern for my development, not just as a speech-language pathologist, but as a person. She created a safe space where I felt comfortable going to her for anything, knowing that she always had my best interests in mind. Hylan has been an inspiring mentor whose impact on my career and personal growth is immeasurable. Her brilliance, positivity, exemplary feedback style, and unmatched interpersonal skills have set a standard of excellence that I aspire to achieve. I am profoundly grateful for her guidance and mentorship during my clinical fellowship year.”
— Courtney P.
“Hylan is one of the best mentors one could find. She offers her experience in research and the clinical setting to teach and train clinicians in preparation of working with a variety of clients. Furthermore, Hylan’s ability to connect with her mentees is her true gift! She made me a better clinician and supervisor by teaching me how to coach parents effectively, provide better feedback to my mentees, and even handle natural conflict in the workplace. Hylan puts her whole heart into teaching and mentoring, and any clinician would be lucky to have her as a mentor!
Nikki was my clinical fellow supervisor, clinical director, and mentor, and I wouldn’t be the SLP I am today without her! She taught and trained me wholeheartedly by providing insightful feedback and asking questions that urged me to think beyond clinical techniques and strategies. Nikki cared about developing both my clinical skills and non-clinical skills. She saw my potential as a leader and encouraged me to expand my career goals beyond the speech therapy room. By working with Nikki, I was able to widen my career, training new hires and supervising students and clinical fellows. Nikki’s passion to help young clinicians grow and flourish is undeniable!”
— June K.
“I have had the privilege of working professionally with Hylan and Nikki for over six years, and their impact on my career has been nothing short of transformative. Both have played crucial roles in my professional development, each bringing their unique strengths and insights to the table.”
Nikki:
“Nikki is one of the primary reasons I am a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP). Her mentorship throughout my journey to becoming an SLP has been invaluable. From answering my myriad questions to providing thoughtful explanations and alternative perspectives, Nikki's guidance has been both comprehensive and supportive. As a former clinical director, she consistently checked in on my progress, demonstrating a genuine investment in my development. What sets Nikki apart is her holistic approach to supervision. She emphasizes not only clinical skills but also life skills, helping to ensure a balanced work/life dynamic that is essential for long-term success and well-being in the field.”
Hylan:
“Hylan has also been a pivotal mentor in my career, offering support even when she was not my official Clinical Fellow (CF) Supervisor. Her calming presence was a constant source of reassurance during stressful moments. Hylan’s ability to model and maintain calm under pressure has been an inspiration to me and many others she has mentored. She has a remarkable way of handling stress, fostering an environment where problem-solving and thoughtful discussion are prioritized. Her mentorship is marked by a deep commitment to collaboration, both with other service providers and with parents. Hylan’s approach encourages finding personal clinical solutions while ensuring that the necessary skills and confidence are developed to thrive in any setting.
Together, Hylan and Nikki exemplify the best practices in mentoring within the SLP field. They emphasize the importance of collaboration and support, guiding their mentees through complex clinical situations while allowing them the space to cultivate their own clinical voice. I am confident that any SLP who has the opportunity to work with Hylan and Nikki will emerge with a robust set of skills and a confidence that will serve them well throughout their careers. Their influence is lasting and profoundly impactful, shaping not just competent professionals but also confident and balanced individuals.”
— Dana D.
“After a decade as a school SLP, I switched over to the private practice world. Nikki and Hylan's mentorship was beyond what I could have hoped for as I transitioned settings. While the aspect of working with kids was the same, there were MANY deer-in-headlights moments that come with change -- new documentation systems, billing and working with private insurance, online assessment tools, unfamiliar lingo and acronyms and processes, oh my! And having come from the schools, I wasn't used to having consistent contact with parents and providing parent education and coaching. I was excited, since there is high value in working with parents and families so closely, yet I wasn't sure that I was effectively supporting parents with carryover. There were also clinical areas, such as feeding therapy, that I had never delved into as a school-based SLP. Nikki and Hylan were always open and approachable, and I knew I could reach out to them with questions or if I needed help working through any challenges. I really respect and appreciate the way they consistently took the time to check in with me while allowing space to adjust at my own pace and autonomy as a clinician. I also had the opportunity to observe them implement techniques and strategies that were less familiar to me and eventually build them into my own therapy sessions. Nikki and Hylan genuinely want you to grow and thrive on your unique career path. If there is an area that you are particularly interested in or passionate about, whether that is EI, AAC, feeding, training, etc, they will support you and work with you to nurture your skills and build confidence through experience. I am incredibly thankful to have had Nikki and Hylan as my guides, sounding boards, cheerleaders, and mentors!”
— Julie K.
“What can I say about Nikki? She is one of the best Mentors I have had in my time as an SLP, straight out of my fellowship year- she has a wealth of knowledge about the pediatric population and how to be the best SLP you can be. Not only that but she cares about your success! As a mentor she was gracious in her approach with how I learned best and always gave positive feedback to inspire me to be better- she set a precedent on how an amazing pediatric SLP should be. She cares for her patients and mentees and wants us all to gain something from even just one session. I couldn’t recommend her more for someone who is wanting to gain knowledge in this field as an advocate and resource for all of their questions. She is truly amazing!”
— Mackenzie B.
“I have had the immense privilege of being mentored by Hylan and Nikki throughout my journey as an SLP - from graduate clinician to clinical fellow to lead SLP under their guidance.
Hylan and Nikki are incredible clinicians and mentors whose expertise is matched only by their dedication to their mentees. They are both very hands-on, and they made me feel so supported. They deliver feedback in a way that is constructive and tailored to a clinician’s learning and communication style.
I truly would not be the clinician I am today without their knowledge, guidance, and support, and I am confident that they will continue to make a huge impact on future clinicians!”
— Michaela M.
