Meet Rebecca McGuire, M.A., CCC-SLP, CBIS, one of two speech language pathologists at UofL Health – Frazier Rehabilitation Institute at Mary & Elizabeth Hospital.
Rebecca joined our team in October 1997 and celebrates her 25th anniversary this fall. As a speech language pathologist, she assesses and treats children and adults with communication, cognitive, voice, swallowing and social challenges.
In her role, Rebecca sees a wide variety of diagnoses and works with patients and their families to develop treatment plans. She enjoys working in coordination with other departments to create a well-rounded, effective strategy for her patients.
“We don’t always work as an individual discipline, we collaborate with the entire therapy team, psychology and neurology, among others, to orchestrate our patient plans,” Rebecca said.
Rebecca’s favorite part of working for UofL Health is the organization’s mission to make a difference in the community, starting with individual patient stories. Additionally, working in an academic setting has given her new opportunities to expand her profession and continue learning.
“I enjoy the academic opportunity to work with students and share my professional responsibility of continuing excellent care. I also consider it a perk to learn from current students,” Rebecca said.
She makes it a priority to provide compassionate care to patients and incorporate their families.
“Each individual has their own set of circumstances, challenges, hurts, struggles and victories,” Rebecca explained. “I try to see that as we work together and implement strategies that can help them navigate their individual needs.”
Her goal for UofL Health is to become the premier healthcare provider in this region and to continue advocacy for their employees. Rebecca also recognizes the need for mental health counselors and psychologists as we emerge from the pandemic and hopes to see more programs for post-pandemic anxiety and depression.
Rebecca’s favorite things to do outside of the office are cook, travel and spend time with her family and friends. When looking back on her adventures, she lists these three “i”s as her favorite locations: Italy, Ireland and Iceland.
Rebecca is a University of Tennessee alumni, earning both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the university. She was initially enrolled as a broadcasting and marketing major and was sent to the speech pathology department to reduce the southern accent she had picked up while living in Knoxville. She was so fascinated by her experience that she changed her major to what she calls the perfect combination of medicine and communications.
For fun, she enjoys reading historical fiction novels. In fact, Rebecca recently finished reading The Paris Dressmaker, which tells the story of how two courageous Parisian women during the Nazi occupation during World War II. On the big screen, she loves watching This is Us and The Blacklist.
Rebecca loves kicking back to enjoy a night of Netflix, paired with any type of Italian food. For breakfast, her preference is a delicious omelet with bacon and berries.
If she could make one wish, she’d hope for world peace. But if she could wake up with any amazing talent, she’d love to be able to land the role of Elphaba in Wicked.
If you see Rebecca out and about, be sure to say “hello” and ask about her newest travel plans. She would love to get to know you!