Nicole Satterwhite, MS CCC-SLP

As a speech therapist for 18 years, Nicole wasn’t actively looking for a change when an opportunity in home health came her way. She was curious. She wanted to see stronger outcomes for her patients and decided to take a chance if that could happen in a patient's natural environment. That decision led her Therapy 2000 in a setting she now calls her favorite.

With experience across both pediatric and adult populations, Nicole has always been drawn to working with children, where she sees meaningful progress and lasting impact. Her growing interest in pediatric and infant feeding, especially working with NICU graduates, has become a passion, supported by continued learning and hands-on experience.

What stood out about Therapy 2000 to Nicole right away was the level of support. “You can come in and not know everything, and that’s okay,” she shares. “There’s training, mentorship, and real guidance.” From day one, new clinicians are paired with mentors within the same discipline to participate in shadow visits. Additionally, they are introduced to interdisciplinary teams, ensuring they feel confident and connected in the different disciplines (Occupational and Physical Therapy). For Nicole, that collaboration is key: “You get the best outcomes when you work as a team.” After four years with Therapy 2000, she still appreciates that level of collaboration for both herself and for her patients.

Having worked in multiple settings, Nicole believes home health offers something unique. Treating patients in their natural environment allows for deeper family connection and better follow-through. “You can show parents and other caregivers exactly what to do in real time, in their everyday routines,” she explains. “That’s where real progress happens.” It also gives clinicians a fuller picture of each child’s needs, allowing for more personalized and effective care.

Now supervising Clinical Fellows and mentoring a graduate student, Nicole has embraced the opportunity to give back. “Supervising makes you better,” she says. “It sharpens your skills, challenges your thinking, and keeps you grounded in best practices.”

When asked what she’d tell new grads considering speech therapy, her answer is simple: “You’ll never be bored. It’s challenging, rewarding, and constantly evolving. There’s always something new to learn, and so many ways to make a difference.”

Today we celebrate Nicole and her 22 years on contributions to Speech and Language Therapy.