Meet the founder and MedSLP of TBI MedSLP, Tracie Bearden!

As a TBI survivor herself, Tracie’s unique perspective on caring for TBI survivors makes her one of the most passionate voices in the TBI space. She has carved out a niche in the healthcare industry as a certified Brain Injury Specialist Trainer (CBIST) and Speech-Language Pathologist. But her path was anything but straight.

After graduating with a master’s in Speech-Language Pathology from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville in 2010, Tracie worked at a large hospital in St. Louis in acute and inpatient rehabilitation settings. By March 2018, she had earned her Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS) Certification, but this is where her path curved.

In August of that year, she survived a traumatic incident that led to optic neuropathy, and all of a sudden, she was the patient. As she navigated through visual compensatory strategies and adapted to her “new normal,” she gained a new perspective on the treatment of patients with TBI. This experience transformed her clinical practice and allowed her to blend her existing skills with deep care and understanding that came from her experience.

Tracie founded TBI MedSLP in 2023 to share her passion for the appropriate care and treatment for survivors. She’s not just an SLP. She’s a survivor, an advocate, and a shining light of hope for her patients and other healthcare providers. Tracie firmly believes that education for both the public and MedSLPs should be accessible, affordable, and high quality. The ability to pay for education should not create a barrier for others.

Whether patients are grappling with the aftermath of a concussion, a severe brain injury, dysphagia after a stroke, or language impairments after a CVA, Tracie brings her specialized training and a deeply personal understanding to the table as she advocates for them and provides resources for healthcare providers. For her, survivors aren’t just patients but fellow warriors on a journey to reclaim their lives. And she wants to use her experience to help other SLPs and healthcare professionals provide the most comprehensive and compassionate care possible.

Reach Out to Tracie

If you would like to speak with Tracie, hear more of her story, or learn about the myriad services TBI MedSLP offers, you can reach out to her on LinkedIn and Instagram. You can also text her at 360-328-1388 to set up a virtual chat via Google Meet or Zoom.

Here’s to a world more informed, empathetic, and resilient — one story and one survivor at a time.