Story by Mikayla Marshall, Staff writer

The College of Education and Human Services celebrated the grand opening of the Voice and Swallowing Research Clinic. On Dec. 3, the staff and faculty showcased their hard work with a presentation and tour of the new clinic.

The clinic will include a range of modern technology and supervisors that will help in improving the skills of students, so they will have a competitive edge in the job market and be able to provide the highest quality care to their clients.

Of students in the communication disorders major, 90 percent secure a job in at least one year after graduation.

However, the faculty attests that many of their students are focused on the mission behind the job. They don’t go into this field for the job, but for the passion of helping people.

“The clinical setting will better prepare students for their dreams in helping others find their voice,” said Kelly Kleinhans, associate professor in the College of Education and Human Services.

“It’s not about getting the job, it’s not about being employed, it’s about the passion that you bring,” said President Bob Davies at the grand opening. “That passion will help you better assist others.”

Davies said he is thrilled to witness the clinic not only serve the university, but the community as well.

On a weekly basis, more than 122 individuals from neighboring counties visit the Speech and Hearing Clinic within the college. The faculty and staff are excited to see the same popularity with the Voice and Swallowing Clinic.

Graduate students will develop research agendas that will focus on improving client outcomes.

The Voice and Swallowing Clinic will offer services to evaluate and treat voice and swallowing issues, which can be caused by strokes, brain injury and head or neck cancers.

Through swallowing services, the clinic will be partnering with the School of Nursing and Health Professions and allied health professions to offer an interdisciplinary clinical practice for the graduate students in both departments. Although, it’s the only clinic associated with Murray State without a medical institute.

The Murray State Speech and Hearing Clinic is open everyday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and have begun offering after hours services in the clinic as well. These services are offered free of charge. The clinic offers services such as hearing, central auditory and speech and language evaluations.

“We know that in order to communicate we have to express our thoughts, we have to be able to express our feelings through a complex set of movements that involve both the brain, nerves, and many other tissues,” said David Whaley, dean of the College of Education and Human Services.

At the grand opening, faculty and staff also thanked the women faculty members and support from partners like Keith Travis, vice president of development at Murray-Calloway County Hospital.

In the United States, more than eight million individuals have trouble using their voice.

“This clinic will have a direct affect on reducing those numbers,” Whaley said.