Sidney Health Center Welcomes New Speech Therapist To Rehab Team

Sidney – Sidney Health Center is excited to announce the addition of Nancy Bassett, a highly experienced speech language pathologist (SLP), to its dedicated team of healthcare professionals.

"We are thrilled to have Nancy join our team," said Nicole Keysor, Sidney Health Center Rehab Services director, "Having a skilled speech therapist like Nancy on site is incredibly important for our community. Her expertise and commitment to patient-centered care will be an invaluable addition for patients requiring this type of therapy."

Nancy brings 18 years of experience in the field of Speech and Language Therapy to Sidney Health Center. She holds a bachelor's degree in Communication Disorders and a master's degree in Speech Language Pathology from Utah State University. Nancy is also nationally certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

Nancy's interest in speech therapy was sparked by personal experiences. While in college, she witnessed the positive impact of speech therapy on a family member, inspiring her to explore the field further. Her passion deepened after dealing with a swallowing disorder as a young adult, which was misdiagnosed for years before being surgically corrected. This experience gave her a deep understanding and compassion for individuals struggling with swallowing issues and motivated her to pursue a career in speech therapy, particularly in areas involving swallowing and communication disorders.

At Sidney Health Center, Nancy specializes in the skilled treatment of speech and language disorders, offering interventions designed to maximize communication and oral motor capabilities for patients of all ages. The speech therapy services focus on diagnosing, treating, and managing limitations in various areas, including:

Swallowing: Assisting those with difficulties in swallowing to regain function.

Articulation: Addressing challenges in pronouncing sounds correctly.

Dysfluency: Supporting individuals with fluency disorders, such as stuttering.

Voice: Treating issues related to voice quality and resonance.

Receptive and Expressive Language: Enhancing understanding and expression of language, including those needing alternative methods of communication.

Auditory and Language Processing: Aiding in improving the brain's ability to process language and speech sounds.

As a speech therapist, Nancy helps patients overcome a range of challenges, particularly in improving communication and addressing swallowing difficulties. She often works with children who have trouble pronouncing certain speech sounds, as well as adults with slurred or mumbled speech. Additionally, she frequently assists patients with swallowing difficulties, helping them understand their limitations, apply effective strategies, and perform exercises to ensure safety while eating and drinking.

Nancy's approach to care is highly collaborative. She regularly participates in team meetings with doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to coordinate comprehensive care plans. She also emphasizes the importance of engaging families in the therapy process, educating them on how they can support the patient's goals at home, thereby fostering a more cohesive and effective treatment approach.

Sidney Health Center's speech therapy services are available to both pediatric and adult patients, providing personalized care in the clinic and hospital settings.

For more information about the speech therapy services or to schedule an appointment with Nancy Bassett, SLP, please contact Sidney Health Center's Rehab Department at 406.488.2166 or visit the website at sidneyhealth.org.