Today we’d like to introduce you to Sabrina Lee.
Hi Sabrina, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I became instilled with a passion to pursue my Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders at Oklahoma State University. After graduating in 2016, I returned to my hometown in Dallas, Texas and this is where my career began.
I decided to pursue a job as a registered behavior technician with children with autism to gain more experience prior to applying for graduate school. I worked as a registered behavior technician for a year and the following year, I was blessed to be accepted into Abilene Christian University for my Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology. I decided to pursue this degree in Abilene, Texas because my grandmother was there and I knew she needed my support.
Fast forward to the end of my first year of graduate school, I got an internship at a private practice back home in Allen, Texas, and fell in love. This is where I began to realize and solidify my dream of one day owning my own private practice.
After graduate school, I worked in the SNF for a few months, then I got laid off in my first few months in my career, which was a very traumatic experience. I ended up transitioning to the school setting for two years to gain experience and have steady income. I was miserable in the school and knew it wasn’t my calling, so I decided to start applying to other settings outside of Dallas, Texas. I got an amazing opportunity to interview with Texas Children’s Hospital and went for it, a few weeks later I was offered the position and decided to take the leap of faith and move because I knew if it was God’s plan over my life, he would carry me through the transition.
I moved to Houston, Texas in June 2021 and began working in the outpatient setting. I fell in love and felt like I was living in my purpose again. As I worked for Texas Children’s, I realized I was limited with reaching lower socioeconomic communities, advocating for parent and educating them on the level I wanted to help. It was then when I realized, it was time for me to start my private practice. I worked hard, researched, took courses, and obtained mentors in the field consistently until I was able to begin my speech therapy practice in October of 2022.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The first few months of being in graduate school my grandmother became ill and passed within 3 months of me being there. Many people do not know this but it was a challenge to push through and continue graduate school after this. I had to lean on God, my family, and my classmates during this trying time.
During undergraduate and graduate studies I quickly experience hardships and shortcomings as a minority speech-language pathologist. I was told at times that I should maybe go into education or that I may not be a good fit because of my dialect/cultural background. Only 3.6% of Speech-Language pathologists identify as African American in the field. Having to consistently inform other professionals that I am the speech pathologist and I have the education and experience is defeating at times. I have to continuously speak words of affirmations over myself, my purpose, and my calling in this field due to hardships like this.
I began to turn these obstacles into fire and I have become more passionate about the importance of diversity/culture and advocating for diversity in the field of Speech-Language Pathology. It is a passion of mine to share my story and uplift others who may be experiencing similar hardships in the field of Speech Pathology or any other field that has a limited amount of minorities in the field. No matter your skin color, your age, what you look like, or where you come from, you are able to accomplish anything you put your mind to and write your own story.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?BrightPath Pediatrics is a private practice in provides a variety of speech and language services to families and school communities. We provide the highest quality services by certified and licensed Speech-Language Pathologist.
We are a small private practice that specializes in supporting children with language delays and speech sound disorders from birth through 15 in the Houston area. It is our mission to step into your family’s world and help your child communicate within their daily activities.
We are currently a mobile company and provide services in daycares, schools, and the home environment.
The mission of BrightPath Pediatrics is to give back and educated families in lower socioeconomic communities on what speech pathology is and the benefits of early intervention for children. BrightPath Pediatrics is a Women and Minority-Owned Business.
We accept Medicaid, Humana, and BlueCross blue shield insurance.
So maybe we end by discussing what matters most to you and why?
What matters most to me are BrightPaths’ plans for the future. What are these plans?
BrightPath Pediatrics has plans for expansion and growth in the future. Some things we want to meet are: obtaining office space, adding more staff as well as other therapy providers, and creating more education courses for families and clients on demand.
We plan to begin partnering with local schools, programs, and facilities to reach a variety of clients in need of speech and language therapy services.
As the CEO and founder of BrightPath Pediatrics, I never dream about success, I work for it! My plan personally is to continue better myself and follow the assignment that God has given me with my business. BrightPath has great things and stores and I cannot wait for the world to see them!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.brightpathpediatrics.org
- Instagram: @brightpathpediatrics
