05/28/2025
A Butler SLHS alum doing great work in the community!
These practitioners help others find their voice
Dee Dee Hammond and Emma Stockrahm Berti often see patients at their lowest point. They are the speech pathologists who work with outpatients at IU Health University and Methodist Hospitals.
During “National Speech-Language-Hearing Month,” they share their role in helping patients find their voice.
Hammond has been with IU Health for 20 years after receiving her master’s degree from the University of Memphis (Tenn).
“I originally went into speech pathology thinking I’d work with stroke patients and help them relearn their ability to communicate,” said Hammonds, after witnessing her grandfather’s challenges following a stroke.
Berti came to IU Health in January. After receiving her undergraduate degree in communication sciences and disorders with a double major in German, she obtained her master’s degree from IU in speech language pathology.
“I love language and also the medical side of things and I love to help people,” said Berti.
In their office, located on the third floor of University Hospital, the clinicians work with patients treated for ears, nose, and throat symptoms. They also work with those who undergo radiation and chemotherapy.
“Often, we see patients at the start of their cancer journey. They may come in to see a head/neck surgical oncologist with a new diagnosis of cancer. The surgeon comes up with a plan of care and we educate the patient on how that plan may impact their swallowing,” said Hammond. They also work with patients who have a voice box prosthesis.
“I like being with people when they are going through their lowest lows and helping them find hope and seeing them progress,” said Berti.
Many of those patients return to their offices frequently.
“I like being able to walk alongside the patients as they go through their cancer journey and helping them maintain hope and optimize their quality of life,” said Hammond.
-By TJ Banes, IU Health Senior Journalist, [email protected]