We’re excited to announce Jennifer H. as our 2025 Speech-Language Pathologist of the Year.
For nearly two decades, Jennifer has been a cornerstone of care for her Staten Island community—where she not only works, but also lives. As one of just two speech-language pathologists serving the borough, Jennifer brings a deeply personal touch to her work. “Everyone knows everyone here,” she says. “Sometimes I’ll find I know a patient’s daughter, or I may have cared for the patient’s aunt or cousin. They all feel like family.”
At one point, she was the only SLP covering all of Staten Island. Her intimate knowledge of the community and her unwavering commitment have made her indispensable.
Jennifer joined our Home Care team 19 years ago and has since become known for her compassionate, patient-centered approach. What she loves the most about her work is making a difference in the lives of others. Her clients often face profound challenges — many are isolated, struggling to socialize with others or communicate with their loved ones. Jennifer sees her role as not just clinical, but deeply personal. “When I talk to them, I listen and I make sure to include them in the decision-making process,” she says. “I can see that it cheers them up.”
Her colleagues praise her work ethic and how she builds connections with her clients and patients. One of her most memorable cases was helping a 9/11 first responder regain his voice after a laryngectomy. During the first visit, she helped him set up and use a new electrolarynx. “He began talking up a storm! He was ecstatic, and I was ecstatic,” she recalls. When another client she’d worked with over the years recently passed away, the family thanked Jennifer for all her support. “They told me how much of a difference I made in their mother’s life,” Jennifer says. “That kind of feedback makes the job so rewarding.”
Jennifer always knew she wanted to go into a career that helps others. Her journey into speech-language pathology was inspired by her own personal experience. While in college, she learned about the field from a former boss, whose wife was an SLP. Around the same time, her uncle was diagnosed with ALS and lost his ability to speak. These experiences sparked a lifelong passion for helping others find their voice.
Gratitude is a guiding principle in Jennifer’s life. While working with patients and clients, She weaves gratitude into their care. In her personal life, she set up a “Gratitude Alarm” on her phone to remind her to reflect on what she’s thankful for. “I just enjoy my work so much these days,” she says. “In a way, it feels even more appropriate to get this award now.”
We congratulate Jennifer who goes the extra mile and embodies VNS Health’s core values and mission.
