Name, number of years as an SLP, current place of work: R. Kevin Manning, 26 years, Brain Injury Rehabilitation Service in Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC), Joint Base Fort Sam Houston, Texas

Personal interests: Spending time on our family ranch, hunting with my sons, and spending as much time with my family as I can.

Main areas of SLP interest/specialty areas: Cognitive-Communication (Inpatient & Outpatient)

Why did you choose to become a speech pathologist?  My journey to Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) was the result of circumstances.  I was married and at that time, I was Dad to two or my three sons.  I wanted to make a career change.  I planned to follow a family member’s path into Physical Therapy (PT).  At the time I was applying for graduate school, my admissions counselor said it was easier to get into medical school when compared to PT school.  I did not have the time to wait if I was not accepted in my first attempt.  Consequently, I began looking into to Occupational Therapy and SLP.  I chose SLP and have never looked back. 

Most significant SLP accomplishment? I’m not sure of what I’ve accomplished as a SLP other than trying to do my best for each patient with whom I interact. 

Favorite patient story? I recently worked with a newlywed soldier whose life was derailed by a benign intra-cranial tumor.  He seized, standing in formation, during his final week of basic training.  After his discharge from the PTRP at Audie Murphy, I worked with him as an outpatient.  He faced many challenges, including answering “Now what since I cannot stay in the Army?” He worked so hard to recover.  He and his wife recently enrolled in the local community college system and will begin classes in January 2023.