Global Outreach in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology
MSC Jamaica manages community outreach initiatives aimed at alleviating poverty and fostering education within local communities.
By Miriam Velsor, M.A., CCC-SLP and Ianthe Dunn-Murad, Sc.D, CCC-A
In January 2024, a team of dedicated clinical faculty and seven graduate students from Long Island embarked on a transformative journey to Kingston, Jamaica, with a mission to extend their expertise in speech-language pathology and audiology to underserved communities. Led by Dr. Ianthe Dunn-Murad (Audiologist) and Miriam Velsor (Speech-Language Pathologist), this initiative aimed not only to deliver essential services but also to foster cross-cultural learning and capacity-building in the field, particularly within the special needs population.
Rooted in Jamaica, Mustard Seed Communities (MSC) was born out of a profound commitment to care for the nation’s most vulnerable, embodying a powerful force of love and transformation. Founded by Monsignor Gregory Ramkissoon in 1978 in the heart of Mona Common, near Kingston, Jamaica, Mustard Seed Communities emerged as a place of care for the most vulnerable—in particular abandoned children with disabilities. Today, over 440 Jamaican individuals with disabilities, children affected by HIV, and teen mothers with their infants receive life-giving support from Mustard Seed Communities. Beyond providing a home, MSC Jamaica actively manages community outreach initiatives aimed at alleviating poverty and fostering education within local communities. With each of the island’s 11 apostolates, our hopeful vision is to cultivate a loving environment that nurtures the complete development—physical, mental, and spiritual—of our residents. (https://www.mustardseed.com/)
“Founded by Monsignor Gregory Ramkissoon in 1978 in the heart of Mona Common, near Kingston, Jamaica, Mustard Seed Communities emerged as a place of care for the most vulnerable—in particular abandoned children with disabilities.”
Preparation and Learning
Months before their departure, the team engaged in rigorous preparatory work through a series of seminar discussion classes. These sessions were designed to assist students with deepening their understanding of global perspectives in speech-language pathology, audiology, and Jamaican culture with a specific focus on the needs of individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities. Class discussions encompassed culturally responsive assessment techniques and therapeutic approaches tailored to the unique challenges faced by this population, to clinical techniques applicable in diverse cultural contexts, to the challenges faced by healthcare providers in resource-limited settings. Armed with this comprehensive preparation, they set out to Mustard Seed Communities. Upon arrival in Kingston, the team immediately began their mission by conducting hearing screenings, performing speech and language evaluations, and delivering targeted interventions to residents of Mustard Seed Communities. Their efforts were not limited to direct patient care; they also facilitated training sessions for local caregivers and professionals. These sessions were designed to empower the community with sustainable skills and knowledge in managing hearing and communication disorders independently. By fostering partnerships and collaboration with local stakeholders, the team aimed to create a lasting impact beyond their brief stay.
Beyond clinical service provision, the journey provided a rich platform for educational exchange and cultural immersion. Students and faculty interacted closely with Jamaican professionals and caregivers, exchanging insights and best practices. They adapted their assessments and therapeutic approaches to accommodate cultural and dialectical differences, thereby enhancing the relevance and effectiveness of their interventions. This mutual learning experience not only helps to enrich the students’ clinical skills but also helps to broaden their perspectives on global healthcare disparities and the importance of culturally sensitive care.
For the students, the journey was a transformative experience that profoundly impacted their personal and professional growth. Students continually expressed gratitude for the opportunity to apply their academic knowledge in a real-world setting, emphasizing the invaluable lessons learned from working in a culturally diverse environment. Many highlighted the trip as a defining moment in their education, shaping their future careers and inspiring them to advocate for inclusive healthcare practices in their own communities.
As the team concluded their journey and returned to their campus, the reverberations of their efforts continued to resonate. The experience underscored the pivotal role of global outreach in speech-language pathology and audiology, demonstrating its potential to bridge healthcare gaps and empower communities worldwide. By integrating global perspectives into healthcare education, institutions can nurture a new generation of professionals who are not only clinically competent but also culturally competent and socially responsible.
“As students prepare to enter the profession of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology as practicing clinicians, they need to be prepared for the diverse under-served patient population that they may encounter,” states Dr. Ianthe Dunn-Murad. “This opportunity widens their clinical experiences and patient encounters, helping them gain a new perspective on life and their chosen careers. It is critical, especially in today’s global-minded society, that students have a solid understanding of different cultures, people of different linguistic and ability backgrounds, and especially the different health disparities seen around the world. I believe that by creating these student-based global learning experiences, we have the opportunity to help our students increase their worldview perspectives and that they will be better equipped to address the present and future health disparities that they may encounter.”
Implications for Practice
The lessons gleaned from this experience are invaluable for shaping the future of healthcare education and practice. They emphasize the importance of cultural competence, collaboration, and capacity-building in addressing global healthcare challenges. Moving forward, incorporating similar global outreach experiences into curricula can empower students to become compassionate, adaptable healthcare professionals capable of addressing the diverse needs of populations worldwide.
In conclusion, the journey to Kingston, Jamaica, exemplifies the profound impact of global outreach in speech-language pathology and audiology. It advocates for a future where healthcare education transcends borders to create meaningful change and equitable access to care on a global scale.
About the Authors
Ianthe Dunn-Murad, Sc.D, CCC-A is Clinical Program Director of The New York AuD Consortium (Adelphi, Hofstra, & St. John's Universities). Dr. Dunn-Murad has been a clinical audiologist for over 25 years. She has worked in various areas, including schools for the Deaf, hospital and university settings. She serves as the Clinical Program Director of The New York Au.D Consortium and Adjunct Assistant Professor of Speech, Language, Hearing Sciences at Hofstra University. Passionate about serving her community, Ianthe is interested in eliminating hearing health disparities and improving hearing access and affordability within the underserved and underrepresented communities. Clinical Specialty Area includes: adult diagnostics, with a set interest in global humanitarian hearing healthcare and service learning. Ianthe completed her Doctorate in Science with a concentration in Audiology in 2002 from the School of Health and Medical Sciences at Seton Hall University in New Jersey. She received her M.A and B.A from St. John's University.
Miriam Velsor, M.A., CCC-SLP is Clinical Supervisor of Speech Language Pathology at Adelphi University. Miriam Velsor has been a practicing SLP for over 25 years and has been a clinical instructor and adjunct faculty member at the Hy Weinberg Center for Communication Disorders since 2005. While supervising both graduate and undergraduate students as they completed their in-house practicums, she developed a growing coordination of services with the Alice Brown Early Learning Center (ELC) preschool program and with Belmont Childcare Association (BCCA). Miriam serves on Adelphi University's Diversity Council for the School of Education and Health Sciences, is a member of the CSD ABIDE (Accessibility, Belonging, Inclusion, Diversity) Committee and recently became a faculty advisor to the student affiliate of NBASLH at Adelphi. She received her M.A from St. John’s University.