Jennifer Hanners
Lubbock, Texas
79416
[mailing address: P.O. Box 16194 / Lubbock, Texas / 79490-6194]
(806) 445-6798 or (806) 775-9224
Jennifer.hanners@umchealthsystem.com
Objective: To locate a resource/partner to assist Virtual Rehab with helping a vast number of people find
joy in rehab and daily life through successful evolution of a unique rehabilitation product
Professional Experience
University Medical Center (UMC) Health System, Lubbock, TX -- 6/96-present
Supervisor of Speech Pathology -- 8/96-present; Audiology Interim Supervisor -- 4/99-1/00
Co-Chairperson of UMC Health System Rewards and Recognition Program 10/2004 – 6/2011
Co-Manager of Virtual Rehab – 9/2008-present
Supervised acute care and outpatient speech pathology services. Provided interim supervision of inpatient and outpatient audiology
services beginning April of 1999. Compiled departmental statistics for creation/justification of positions in both speech pathology and
audiology. Completed yearly departmental budgets for administrative approval. Due to positive growth, recruited and participated in
the hiring process for fifteen speech pathologists, including the five speech pathologists currently under my supervision. Assisted with
maintaining strength of audiology services during a transition period; assisted with hiring current supervisor. Maintained excellent
relations with TTUHSC Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences by training student externs, guest lecturing, and
teaching a semester graduate course in medical speech pathology. Encouraged community outreach with team endeavors, such as the
Lubbock’s New Voice Club (Lubbock’s first laryngectomee support group). Assisted with development of departmental competencies
(for accreditation purposes). Learned, maintained & improved clinical skills with patients ranging in age from 1 day to over 100 years
old. Treated patients with a variety of delays/disorders which were inclusive of, but not limited to, neonatal feeding disorders, severe
burns, ventilator dependency, traumatic brain injury, & cerebrovascular accident. Have conducted voice prosthesis fittings and
velopharyngeal competency testing. Have routinely conducted Modified Barium Swallow studies and laryngeal stroboscopic exams.
Member of the first research team to investigate safety, durability, & sterility of the Ice Finger. Team leader and designated first
author of the first research study to examine hypothesized contribution of premorbid neglect to pediatric burn injury. Member of cleftpalate team.
 Inducted into Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Hall of Fame September 2008
 Inventor of the Ice Finger, a rehabilitation device for swallow dysfunction now sold internationally by Ali-Med
 Inventor of a medical feeding device (the SafeStraw) manufactured and distributed by Bionix Medical Corporation
 Inventor of a computer device that combines biofeedback with gaming technology for enhanced rehabilitation of fine and
gross motor skill, patent pending
 Employee of the Month August 1999 and July 2006; nominee for employee of the year 1999 and 2006
 All Star of UMC 1997,1999, 2002, 2006, 2008, 2009
 Chosen to routinely participate in HealthNet broadcasts (Providing continuing education units for respiratory therapists
on issues with tracheostomized and/or ventilator-dependent patients and nurses on issues with regard to neonatal and
pediatric feeding disorders)
 Published in Journal of Augmentative & Alternative Communication
 Published article in Advance magazine
 Led effort to develop software template for electronic/paperless documentation of therapy services
 Given at least 150 public or platform presentations over the past 14 years on professionalism, speech pathology, manager
tools, conflict resolution, self esteem, and issues affecting healthcare
Managed major hospital events for the past six years, including employee satisfaction monitoring and the annual employee recognition
event. In charge of annual submission of organizational accomplishments to Press Ganey and on committee for submission to Texas
Monthly for “Best Companies to Work For In Texas” program. Served for past six years on Service Is Our Passion committee with
routine communication to UMC Health System Executive Vice President. Developed and established hospital programs (e.g.,
Operation Santa; Letters of Legacy; Heart of UMC; Hidden Heroes; Night Vision; Just Because; 1st to Save).
 Employee satisfaction improved to 97th percentile with Rewards and Recognition cited as one of the single most
improved areas of facility over a six year period.
 Chosen to be a presenter in a customer service, managerial initiative for all UMC Health System employees
 Chosen to lead “Picture of Culture” project to integrate pictures of UMC staff caring for patients into current UMC
Health System decor
Education
M.S. in Communication Disorders - Texas Tech University Health
Sciences Center, 1996
Masters Thesis: Segmental Intelligibility and Comprehension of Synthetic Speech by Augmentative and Alternative
Communication (AAC) Users With Mental Retardation
B.S. in Communication Disorders - Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, 1994
 Most Outstanding Speech-Language Pathology Student - 1994-95
 Awarded Research Grant from Texas Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation – 1995
 Most Outstanding Graduate Clinician - 1995-96
 Summa Cum Laude