Speech-Language Pathology
I Chose Salus
Hi! I’m Kat Sigafoos, a second-year graduate student in the Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) program. I earned my BS in Cognitive Science with minors in Spanish and Disability Studies from the University of Delaware. Growing up, I saw my grandfather’s struggles with his total laryngectomy and feeding tube, which deepened my understanding of the challenges faced by individuals with progressive neurological diseases like Parkinson’s. I aim to be a neurodiversity-affirming clinician, a safe space for those with communication disorders, and an advocate for those without a voice. Through my previous work as an undergraduate teacher’s assistant, camp counselor, and dance teacher, I’ve also developed a passion for education and hope to eventually pursue a teaching role within the field to inspire others.
During my current externship at a local hospital in Elkins Park, I have the privilege of working with adults experiencing a wide range of conditions, including dysarthria, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s, and post-stroke aphasia, as well as individuals who have undergone tracheostomy, spinal surgery, or recent extubation in the intensive care unit (ICU). Among the most rewarding aspects of my placement have been collaborating with certified medical interpreters, participating in daily ICU rounds, and fostering meaningful interactions with patients and their families.
Outside of school and my externship, I love spending time outdoors, enjoying moments with friends and family, dancing and choreographing, and planning my next travel or camping adventure!
Here’s what a typical day in my life looks like:
7:00 a.m.: Wake up and get ready for the day.
7:30 a.m.: Drive to my externship in Elkins Park, listening to music to stay energized.
8:00 a.m.: Arrive in the Radiology/Speech Therapy Department and review assigned patient medical charts.
8:45 a.m.: In acute care, each day presents differently. We prioritize high-risk patients, such as those who are "nothing by mouth" (NPO) or recent ICU admits. My typical responsibilities include conducting bedside evaluations in the ICU, documenting findings and recommendations, and following up with ongoing cases. The caseload varies, typically ranging from 5 to 10 patients daily.
10:30 a.m.: Attend daily ICU rounds, with occasional substitutions for modified barium swallow (MBS) evaluations, inpatient language/cognition assessments, or outpatient speech therapy sessions.
12:00 - 1:00 p.m.: Lunch is taken after all high-priority patients are seen or during a natural break in the day, with no set time.
1:00 - 3:00 p.m.: Complete final patient visits and finish any remaining documentation.
3:30 p.m.: Drive back home.
3:45 p.m.: Go for a walk or get outside, call family, do a Peloton yoga session, or take care of some chores before class.
5:00 - 7:00 p.m.: Attend synchronous online class or any class meetings online, get homework done.
I spend the rest of the evening cooking with Every Plate (learning new recipes from scratch), listening to music, FaceTiming loved ones, doing the NYT daily word puzzles, reading, sipping lemon balm tea, watching shows (just finished season one of Blacklist and currently rewatching Normal People), enjoying ice cream, and relaxing 🙂
Learn More About the University's Speech-Language Pathology Program
