Graduate

Daughter of TerraBella residents Tracy and Brian, Ali Laiche is a young woman who followed her passion for helping others and has turned that passion into a fulfilling career in speech-language pathology. Always driven and hard-working, Ali graduated from Mandeville High School in 2017, where she was on the Spinnaker Varsity Dance Team all four years of high school. With an innate willingness to help others, Ali also worked with the special education population at MHS as a Skipper Buddy, an organization established to foster relationships between regular education students and those with special needs. She is proud of her commitment to this life-changing group, and devoted her time to Buddies throughout high school, even taking on the role of president her senior year.

The foundation for her future in helping others was laid early on. She always knew she wanted to work with children with special needs in some capacity. An introduction from her mom to the speech-language pathology field was the spark she needed to light her passion. About her introduction to the field, she emphasizes, “I fell in love with it instantly!” With this plan firmly in place, as she began LSU her freshman year, she knew she wanted to major in Communication Sciences and Disorders. Although focused on her goal, she did enjoy her undergraduate years at LSU and served as vice president of her sorority, Kappa Delta.

After graduating from LSU in 2021, Ali, driven by her desire to help others and intrigued by the medical side of speech-language pathology, continued her studies in graduate school in New Orleans at the LSU Health Sciences Center. One of the main reasons she chose this particular program was because it allows graduate students to participate in the cadaver lab in their first semester. Ali wanted to glean all she could from the medical aspect of her field and knew this would be an incredible way to do so.

Ali was motivated by the desire to help others in her chosen specialty, adding, “I find so much joy in treating others and making a difference in their lives.” With unwavering determination, Ali immersed herself in coursework, research, and clinicals, excelling academically. Grateful for each program component, she maintains, “My previous clinical experiences have provided me with the knowledge and insight I need to provide the best care I can for future patients.” She also appreciated the opportunity to work with diverse age groups and at different kinds of facilities, including clinical experiences at Children’s Hospital, Jefferson Parish Public Schools, and University Medical Center. Each of these placements offered her distinct experiences and aided her in choosing where she could best give back in her career.

On May 19th, Ali and eighteen other graduate students in her study area received their Master of Communication Disorders. Equipped with advanced knowledge and expertise, she embarked on her professional career, eager to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those facing communication challenges.

Currently, Ali is at St. Tammany Parish Hospital, working with adults and children in the inpatient and outpatient settings. She embraces every day and accepts whatever challenges she encounters with enthusiasm. Her favorite thing about being a speech-language pathologist is, without a doubt, her connection with her patients. “I absolutely love establishing rapport with them and creating such great relationships. Whether my patients are infants in the NICU or adults in the acute care, they are the reason I love what I do.” Witnessing her patients’ progress and their confidence grow as they achieve their communication goals fuels her dedication and inspires her to continue making a difference.

For Ali, it is the joy of helping others that is the ultimate reward. She has followed her calling and made a career by assisting people to overcome communication challenges. Ali is creating a better life for all those she helps through her expertise, compassion, and genuine commitment to her patients.

Finally, it is important to Ali to note her tremendous gratitude. She humbly attributes her success to her family, friends, professors, and supervisors. She maintains, “I wouldn’t be the SLP that I am today if it wasn’t for them.” Her drive and sincerity inspire all those who strive to make a difference through their chosen path. May Ali Laiche’s career be filled with success and fulfillment as she compassionately supports and uplifts all those who seek her assistance.

Let’s talk about ALLERGIES!

By Maher Animal