Influential Woman · Speech-language pathology in healthcare
KrisAdora Williams
Speech-language pathologist, --
Dirham, NC
Her Story
About KrisAdora
KrisAdora Robinson is a speech-language pathologist with over 32 years of experience in healthcare. She works with adults and seniors in skilled nursing and long-term care facilities, focusing on functional outcomes through therapy for swallowing disorders, cognition and memory challenges, and voice disorders. Robinson is a myofascial release therapist certified in three particular areas, incorporating hands-on techniques and her background in theater and voice to make sessions memorable. She earned her undergraduate degree magna cum laude from Tennessee State University in broadcasting and theater and received a full scholarship to South Carolina State University for speech-language pathology and audiology, completing an internship at a hospital in Augusta, Georgia. Robinson attributes her success to learning from a multidisciplinary team including physical therapists, occupational therapists, nurses, and certified nursing assistants. She values compassion, empathy, and listening, and advises maintaining passion in healthcare while giving patients dignity and choices. Opportunities in her field include high demand for speech-language pathologists with options for travel, while challenges involve the need for more professionals aware of the rewards of working with geriatrics.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with KrisAdora
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to learning from other therapists like physical therapists, occupational therapists, nurses, and certified nursing assistants. The team in rehabilitation for adults in long-term care is like no other field, and we celebrate successes in sessions every day while giving over and above.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Never lose passion in healthcare. Make every session special and memorable, give patients dignity and choices in decision making. The quality of life they get is based on how you deliver it so they feel functional and independent.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Ponder why we as humans exist and how we coexist. When engaging with others, understand different takes on life experiences. Be open and willing to listen to grow and build compassion as you meet many different types of people.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Opportunities are wide open with never enough speech therapists, especially those aware that working with adults and geriatrics is rewarding. Challenge is needing more in the field, but great rewards, opportunities to work and travel as a speech-language pathologist.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Compassion and empathy, and being able to listen to people. Those are the key values.
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