Meet Raylee Kirkland, 2026 Leader of the Year

Raylee Kirkland serves in two roles at CommonSpirit - Saint Joseph Hospital - Berea: speech-language pathologist and supervisor of rehabilitation therapy services.

As a speech-language pathologist, she treats adult and pediatric patients, including those in inpatient and swing bed units. As supervisor of rehabilitation therapy services, Kirkland leads a team of 14 speech, physical and occupational therapists. She is the hospital’s 2026 Leader of the Year.

Kirkland is 30 years old and has held the supervisory position for five years.

“I am a young leader,” Kirkland said. “I recognize that I continue to gain experience and wisdom. My approach is rooted in humility.”

She describes her team as aligned, noting that they facilitate her work as a leader.

“My philosophy on leadership is transparency. I want my team to feel that I work alongside them,” she said. “I continue to maintain a consistent caseload of patients in addition to my leadership role, which allows me to work closely with my team.”

Kirkland joined the Berea ministry eight years ago after earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees in communication disorders from Eastern Kentucky University. She credited CommonSpirit’s onboarding process for her professional development. “I would not be the therapist or the leader I am without the people who trained me,” she said.

A native of Maysville, Kirkland said her perspective was broadened by the culture of the Appalachian foothills.

“I learned that patients often require support beyond speech therapy. Many residents in this area have unique lifestyles, values and perspectives on health,” she said. “I encountered challenges regarding health literacy, which helped me understand the importance of adapting my communication.”

Kirkland, who lives in Berea, adjusted her approach to ensure medical information is accessible to patients. “I adapted my clinical skills to fit the needs of the population,” she said.

Her clinical approach is patient-directed, offering options for treatment. “I want patients to have autonomy regarding their diagnosis and treatment plan,” she said. “When they commit to their care, I focus on education and support.”

Kirkland became interested in speech pathology as a teenager when her younger sister received speech therapy at home. She shadowed the therapist and decided to pursue the field.

“I was drawn to the variety of patients, age ranges, diagnoses and settings,” she said. “The work is varied and dynamic.”

Kirkland values this environment. “I may treat a 95-year-old patient in a hospital bed and then transition to a 2-year-old in the clinic,” she said.

Kirkland practices humankindness by addressing the needs of the whole patient. “I consider the patient holistically,” she said. “If a patient is concerned about basic needs, such as financial stability or housing, they may find it difficult to focus on therapy goals.”

She noted that CommonSpirit Health provides resources, such as patient financial assistance, to help address these concerns.

Kirkland also serves as a volunteer lead for the hospital’s Spirit Team, which plans employee engagement activities. She organizes community events, such as a lemonade stand and an annual fall festival, and ensures these activities are accessible to people with disabilities.

Her goal remains consistent across her clinical and community work: “I aim to help others resolve the challenges they bring to me, ensuring they have the support they need,” she said.

Interested in making a difference and helping build healthier communities? Explore current career opportunities at CommonSpirit Health.