Cassandra Eng

Communication begins with trust and is often defined by understanding; you can’t receive without giving and vice versa. A job is no longer a job when aiding individuals whether that involves feeding, medications, and activities of daily living (ADL’s) simply ADL’s. Healing is not only prescribing medicines and treatments but requires cooperation, joy, and spirit. Healthcare should be designed treat people and not diseases. I have worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant for approximately 4 years at Kindred Healthcare in Moscow, ID. I have assisted a variety of people, people whom I love, people I consider to be friends, and people who I should have been more patient with. The lack of integration among healthcare providers and consistently being short-staffed had at one point left me overwhelmed and discouraged. A friend and her husband, whom were long-term residents, passed away a couple of years ago, first the husband and shortly after my friend. After the husbands passing, my friend imparted a well-deserved lecture. I was so focused on getting everyone ready for bed that I inadvertently ignored her when she wanted to show me pictures of her and her husband. She is always in my heart and thoughts reminding me to be there for my friends as well as the importance of holistic care for my patients. In healthcare the requests from patients often get drowned out. They aren’t notified prior to moving them to a different room, they aren’t notified regarding the appointments made for them, and the treatments we are providing. Despite the faults in our healthcare system, every person deserves our undivided attention and compassion. As a potential healthcare professional I want to be an advocate for their voices to be heard. I adhere to my beliefs including putting my patients first and striving to work to the best of my ability to provide excellence and compassionate care.
I have always wanted to help people, and while that statement might not seem specific enough, for me it is. To genuinely help someone is not to provide for them or to insist on giving them things they need; help means that it is ‘in their hands’. You are providing for their needs, desires, and expectations. As part of Evidenced Based Practice, therapists are expected to consider those personal contextual factors. The best plan for care is developed from clinical experience, evidenced based research, and what exactly does that person want. At the nursing home, I assisted individuals during meals to encourage and help them eat. With a variety of diets, the staff found ways of encouraging and compromising with the residents to safeguard sufficient nutrition and health safety. Through mutual respect and guidance, as healthcare providers we were able to facilitate joy and satisfaction in an otherwise difficult situation.
The professors at Washington State University in Spokane are dedicated and passionate in their teaching styles and as Speech Language Pathologists and Audiologists. As part of the National Speech Language Hearing Association we were encouraged participate, volunteer, and donate for a variety of individuals. As a new volunteer for the Salish School of Spokane I have been working with children to encourage the development of English and Salish language skills. As I continue to volunteer for the Salish school I am enthusiastic to continue to learn about the Spokane Salish Native American heritage and language and apply these skills as a potential SLP working with diverse individuals. Working with the Salish school children has benefited my patience, creativity, and enthusiasm for working with diverse cultures. Through intrinsic motivation and determination I will continue to pursue the education and abilities required to effectively treat individuals with communication disorders. Multi-cultural diversity experience and education will advance my excellence in professional practice.

During my education, my attraction for this field grew as I completed each speech and hearing sciences course. Having gained knowledge of the speech systems, pathologies of communication disorders, and assessment and treatment methods from my coursework, I am knowledgeable about many aspects of this profession. After having been accepted to participate in the Spring 2015 Hearts in Motion Guatemala trip I anticipate the opportunity to gain hands-on experience providing assessments and evaluations to a variety of individuals. This will contribute to my increasing experience and continuation of professional development including, flexibility and experience in different areas of communicative disorders including cleft palate, autism, and swallowing disorders. I have found that each age group and communicative disorder I have worked with so far has allowed me to sharpen a different clinical skill on the path to becoming a well-rounded clinician.