Katherine Lynch
Chicago
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
Work History
Graduate Student Clinician
Northwestern University Center for Audiology, Speech, Language, and Learning
Evanston
09.2024 - Current
- Provided individualized treatment to a pediatric caseload of three, targeting mixed expressive-receptive language and articulation/phonological goals in collaboration with co-clinicians.
- Delivered client-centered therapy to a 64-year-old client with Broca's aphasia, apraxia of speech, and Turner's Syndrome, using a functional and empathetic approach to target verbal expression and reading comprehension.
- Co-facilitated an Aphasia Music Group to foster communication, social engagement, and cognitive-linguistic skills through music-based interventions.
- Collaboratively led a SPEAK OUT! group to support individuals with Parkinson's disease in promoting vocal strength and intelligibility with compassion and evidence-based strategies.
- Collaborated with a team of graduate student clinicians and clinical supervisors for a 4-week Intensive Apraxia Program for a 63-year-old individual.
- Administered the Cognitive Linguistic Quick Test and patient interview in a diagnostic evaluation focused on cognitive communication and language.
- Administered the Northwestern Naming Battery, subtests from the Boston Diagnostic Aphasia Examination, and patient interview in a diagnostic evaluation focused on cognitive communication and language.
- Completed two adult diagnostic evaluation reports.
- Managed a caseload of three adults, delivered client-centered therapy to a 58-year-old client with aphasia, 73-year-old client with Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA), and an 89-year-old client with PPA using a functional and empathetic approach to target verbal expression and self-advocacy skills.
- Developed Home Exercise Programs (HEPs) for three clients throughout the duration of the quarter.
- Conducted screenings at four elementary and kindergarten schools across the greater Chicagoland area, identifying potential communication needs and advocating for timely intervention efforts.
Graduate Student Clinician
Northwestern Memorial Hospital
Streeterville
09.2025 - 12.2025
- Conduct comprehensive bedside swallow, speech/language, and cognitive-communication evaluations; assist in the administration of Modified Barium Swallow Studies (MBSS) and Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES).
- Provide targeted swallowing and cognitive-communication therapy at the bedside to support patient recovery and safety.
- Complete timely, detailed documentation and collaborate with the interdisciplinary care team to optimize patient outcomes.
Waitress/Head Hostess
King Street Oyster Bar and Restaurant
Middleburg
06.2020 - 08.2024
- Managed high-volume sections in a fast-paced oyster bar, demonstrating adaptability, effective communication, and strong interpersonal skills while ensuring efficient service and a positive guest experience.
- Developed compassionate and personable interactions with guests, fostering a welcoming atmosphere and building rapport to enhance customer satisfaction and contribute to team success.
Volunteer
Harmony Volunteer Organization
State College
08.2020 - 05.2024
- Led a musical theater group for individuals with and without disabilities, creating inclusive, engaging biannual performances, mentoring participants, and fostering a fun, supportive environment during weekly rehearsals.
- Coordinated with families to ensure accessibility and support needs were met, while cultivating strong interpersonal connections and adapting instruction to promote skill development, teamwork, and confidence.
THON Primary Chair of Delta Gamma
State College
08.2023 - 02.2024
- Directed philanthropic efforts for pediatric cancer research within a 300+ member sorority-fraternity partnership, leading strategic planning, weekly progress reporting, and team accountability.
- Coordinated large-scale fundraising campaigns by developing alternative events, securing corporate donations, and overseeing a letter-writing initiative that significantly increased contributions.
- Led family relations by organizing visits and engagement events, strengthening connections between families affected by pediatric cancer, THON, and the Penn State community.
- Spearheaded the adoption and onboarding of a new family into the organization's philanthropy, ensuring seamless integration and long-term support within the THON network.
Frederick Douglas, Elementary School: Extended School Year
Leesburg
07.2023 - 07.2023
- Supported preschool, first-, and second-grade students by observing and assisting with both push-in and pull-out speech-language services during the extended school year.
- Participated in IEP meetings as an observer, taking detailed notes to enhance understanding of evaluation, planning, and service delivery processes.
- Collaborated with the speech-language pathologist to develop therapy materials, design treatment plans, and draft progress reports tailored to student needs.
The Pennsylvania State University CSD Therapy Abroad Program
Belize
05.2023 - 05.2023
- Administered assessments (GFTA-3, ROWPVT-4, preschool screeners) to bilingual children, assisting in the diagnosis of language and articulation disorders and contributing to intervention planning while gathering 12 observation hours.
- Engaged with families through counseling, discussing assessment results, next steps, and personalized care plans to support continued progress and empower family involvement.
Education
Masters of Science - Speech, Language and Learning
Northwestern University
Evanston, IL06.2026
Bachelor of Science - Communication Sciences and Disorders, Science of Psychology
The Pennsylvania State University
State College, PAState College, PA
Research
- Swallowing Cross Systems Collaborative Lab at Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, Student Researcher, 06/01/25, Present, Archive respiratory-swallow training session recordings to the Martin-Harris lab server along with associated documentation, including treatment goals and patient-reported outcome measures., Completed the BaByVFSSImP training, tracked the time it took to finish and provided brief feedback on the training platform and overall experience., Gather and share weekly updates on clinical trial progress, upcoming deadlines, recent accomplishments and new publications., Assist with conducting a literature review of current swallowing treatment approaches and update the lab's Zotero reference manager with relevant articles.
- The Pennsylvania State University: Pediatric AAC Research, State College, PA, 05/01/23, 05/31/24, Coded video recordings of children ages 5-12 during AAC evaluations to support literacy and language acquisition research., Reported evaluation discrepancies to enhance assessment reliability., Crafted treatment binders with all assessment and intervention materials., Contributed to a research presentation on AAC & literacy findings at the 2023 ASHA Convention., Attended masterclasses and lectures on AAC, accessibility, and neuroanatomy, while networking with professionals in the field at the 2023 ASHA Convention.
Achievements Training Miscellaneous
- BaByVFSImP Training & Certification, 08/01/25
- CITI Training, 06/01/25, GCP Social and Behavioral Research & Human Research Protections (IRB), RCR course for Graduate Students and Postdocs
- Speak Out! Training, 04/01/25
- MBSImP Training & Certification, 05/01/25
- MOCA Certification, 05/01/25
- CPR Certification, 09/01/24
Work And Volunteer Experience
- King Street Oyster Bar and Restaurant, Middleburg, VA, 06/01/20, 08/31/24, Managed high-volume sections in a fast-paced oyster bar, demonstrating adaptability, effective communication, and strong interpersonal skills while ensuring efficient service and a positive guest experience., Developed compassionate and personable interactions with guests, fostering a welcoming atmosphere and building rapport to enhance customer satisfaction and contribute to team success.
- Harmony Volunteer Organization, State College, PA, 08/01/20, 05/31/24, Led a musical theater group for individuals with and without disabilities, creating inclusive, engaging biannual performances, mentoring participants, and fostering a fun, supportive environment during weekly rehearsals., Coordinated with families to ensure accessibility and support needs were met, while cultivating strong interpersonal connections and adapting instruction to promote skill development, teamwork, and confidence.
- THON Primary Chair of Delta Gamma, State College, PA, 08/01/23, 02/29/24, Directed philanthropic efforts for pediatric cancer research within a 300+ member sorority-fraternity partnership, leading strategic planning, weekly progress reporting, and team accountability., Coordinated large-scale fundraising campaigns by developing alternative events, securing corporate donations, and overseeing a letter-writing initiative that significantly increased contributions., Led family relations by organizing visits and engagement events, strengthening connections between families affected by pediatric cancer, THON, and the Penn State community., Spearheaded the adoption and onboarding of a new family into the organization's philanthropy, ensuring seamless integration and long-term support within the THON network.
Timeline
Graduate Student Clinician
Northwestern Memorial Hospital
09.2025 - 12.2025
Graduate Student Clinician
Northwestern University Center for Audiology, Speech, Language, and Learning
09.2024 - Current
THON Primary Chair of Delta Gamma
08.2023 - 02.2024
Frederick Douglas, Elementary School: Extended School Year
07.2023 - 07.2023
The Pennsylvania State University CSD Therapy Abroad Program
05.2023 - 05.2023
Volunteer
Harmony Volunteer Organization
08.2020 - 05.2024
Waitress/Head Hostess
King Street Oyster Bar and Restaurant
06.2020 - 08.2024
Masters of Science - Speech, Language and Learning
Northwestern University
Bachelor of Science - Communication Sciences and Disorders, Science of Psychology
The Pennsylvania State University