CBIST Spotlight: Laura Wilson

Laura Wilson, PhD, CCC-SLP, CBIST, is a speech-language pathologist who has worked in the field of brain injury since 2009. She completed her BS and MS in speech-language pathology, BA in psychology, and PhD in Hearing and Speech Sciences. She is an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at The University of Tulsa, and also serves as co-founder of the University of Tulsa’s interdisciplinary Concussion Center. She is a licensed and certified speech-language pathologist and has held CBIS or CBIST certification since 2010.

Why have you chosen a career in brain injury? Why are you passionate about brain injury?

I chose brain injury because it’s a field built on connection. Every patient’s journey is unique, and building a strong relationship with a patient is critical to both setting and achieving meaningful goals. I’m also drawn to the challenges within this field: patient needs evolve, sessions don’t always go as planned, and being a good clinician and researcher demands creativity and adaptability. What inspires me most is witnessing resilience in action and being reminded that celebrating small wins is key to promoting quality of life (both for me and my patients).

How has the field of brain injury changed in your time working?

In the last 15 years, I have seen major changes in mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI)/concussion management. We have moved to a more active rehabilitation model, the role of the speech-language pathologist in concussion care has expanded, and we are now recognized as essential members of the treatment team.

Why is having your CBIST important to you? How is it helpful in your daily work?

Being a CBIST motivates me to stay current on best practices related to brain injury, not just in the field of speech-language pathology, but in the broader medical and rehabilitation fields. It also allows me to share that knowledge with graduate students from multiple disciplines who are preparing to become PCBIS. I appreciate the opportunity to help future clinicians think about brain injury through a transdisciplinary lens.

What are some challenges you have faced working with individuals with brain injury?

One of the biggest challenges is helping people access appropriate services – especially those who are uninsured or underinsured. Navigating systems of care can be overwhelming, and gaps in coverage and services are often a major barrier for people with brain injuries and their families/caregivers.

How can clinicians best support individuals, caregivers, and family members?

Clinicians can best support individuals with brain injury and their caregivers and families by considering not just the injury but the broader context that surrounds them: their emotional well-being, social environment, cultural background, and access to resources. When we take this broader view, we are better equipped to set goals and design interventions that are meaningful and realistic, and we get better adherence to treatment plans and better patient outcomes.

What do you see as the future of the brain injury field/research/education?

I am excited to see what developments in technology and community education can do for brain injury prevention efforts. Advances in biomarkers may help us detect brain injury earlier, and medical interventions could reduce secondary damage. I am also hopeful that better prognostic models can help further individualize rehabilitation plans. As the use of AI in healthcare continues to expand, I am interested to see how these tools can be used to support treatment, particularly in the areas of executive function and pragmatics.