Description
About the program
The Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental & Related Disabilities (LEND) post graduate degree fellowship in speech-language pathology is a full-time position that lasts for 12 months, and is primarily clinical in nature. This experience includes all clinical hours and requirements for completion of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association fellowship experience. Primary clinical training occurs at the Child Development & Rehabilitation Center (CDRC) Clinics at Doernbecher Children's Hospital/Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, Oregon, with training and mentorship provided by our faculty of speech-language pathologists. Clinical fellows engage in multidisciplinary team assessments in rotations through our Craniofacial, Feeding, Autism, Down Syndrome, Child Development, Augmentative/Alternative Communication and/or Neurodevelopment Clinics. The fellowship experience also includes intervention and treatment activities for children with communication disorders in the CDRC clinics.
In addition to clinical experience, the clinical fellow will also participate in:
Interdisciplinary training in the LEND program
Weekly interdisciplinary seminars with topics related to developmental disabilities, community outreach, family issues that affect children with developmental disabilities, leadership, and policy development
Engagement in a family mentoring experience
Engagement in leadership/community engagement activities
Aresearch projectandpresentationunder the guidance of a mentor
Leadership and teaching opportunities
Opportunities for continuing education
The Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities program at the CDRC aims to provide training leadership in clinical care and coordination, family systems, education, public policy, community resources, and advocacy for children with neurodevelopmental disabilities, utilizing an interdisciplinary model. Our annual LEND program includes faculty and a cohort of approximately 16 long term trainees from 12 disciplines, including speech-language pathology.
This fellowship is co-sponsored bythe Division of Speech-Language Pathology andthe Institute on Development & Disability at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, Oregon.
How to apply
Applicants must be a US Citizen or have a permanent residency Visa, have the minimum of a master's degree in speech-language pathology, a conditional license to practice in the state of Oregon (typically arranged after acceptance into the program), and meet all the requirements for clinical certification except the Clinical Fellowship. Oregon Health & Science University is committed to building a culturally diverse educational environment, and successful candidates must be committed to working with diverse community populations. Applicants must be able to pass a background check and a drug screen.
Applicants must submit:
A letter of intent, not to exceed two pages, including:
Interest and goals related to this fellowship position
Background as it relates to the position description and activities outlined above, including experience working with pediatric populations and diverse populations as well as experience with leadership, advocacy, community engagement and/or research
A resume, not to exceed two pages; and
Two letters of recommendation, at least one from a clinical supervisor or recommender who has observed clinical experience/skill
We request that the letter of intent and resume be submitted by the candidate via email to Hannah Sanford-Keller
We request that all letters of recommendation be submitted by the recommender via email to Hannah Sanford-Keller. Please include the first and last name of the candidate in the heading of the email.
Complete Applicationsmust be received byFebruary 2nd, 2026, 5 pm PST to be considered.
Terms
Stipends will be available for the 2026-27academic year (minimum of $58,000). Benefits are provided. Stipends are contingent upon continued grant funding through the Health Resources and Services Administration's Maternal and Child Health Bureau. Compensation/benefits inquiries can be sent to Hannah Sanford-Keller. The beginning date for the fellowship is the first week of September.
Once selected, fellows are required to provide proof of up-to-date vaccinations. Current required vaccinations include: Diphtheria+Tetanus (within the last 10 years), Polio, Rubella, and Rubeola, or proof of prior disease. COVID-19 vaccination is also required. Additionally, Hepatitis B vaccination is encouraged, but not required. For more information about required vaccinations, please contact Nicole Valdivia Nava
Requirements
Outpatient pediatric speech therapy services
Outpatient pediatric speech/language evaluation services
Interdisciplinary training in the LEND program
Weekly interdisciplinary seminars with topics related to developmental disabilities, community outreach, family issues that affect children with developmental disabilities, leadership, and policy development
Engagement in a family mentoring experience
Engagement in leadership/community engagement activities
Aresearch projectandpresentationunder the guidance of a mentor
Leadership and teaching opportunities
Opportunities for continuing education
