CSD Alumni News

A Rare Blend of Expertise: Dr. Andrea Wilson’s Commitment to Rural Healthcare

When Dr. Andrea Wilson reflects on her career path, she jokes that she must have tried every major university in the Midwest. But in reality, Andrea’s journey is one of exceptional dedication to serving rural communities—a mission fueled by her rare dual certification as both an audiologist and a speech-language pathologist (SLP). According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (2024), fewer than 0.3% of all certified professionals hold both credentials, making Andrea one of only 645 individuals in the United States to do so.

For the University of North Dakota, Andrea’s achievements are a source of pride. As a clinician and educator, she embodies UND’s commitment to provide access to quality care, particularly in underserved rural areas. Whether she is diagnosing hearing loss at her private practice, Pine Peak Therapy, teaching future clinicians in the “Audiology for SLPs” graduate course at UND or serving local schools as a contracted audiologist for Grand Forks Public Schools, Andrea’s work bridges the critical gap between two interconnected professions.

The Journey to Dual Certification

Andrea’s passion for communication sciences began early. “Communication disorders have always been something that interested me,” she explains. Having received speech therapy, herself as a child and growing up with family members experiencing hearing loss, she felt a natural draw to the field. During her undergraduate studies at Minnesota State University Moorhead, Andrea found herself torn between audiology and speech-language pathology.

Fate intervened in an unexpected way. “I actually experienced an acoustic anomaly called Ramsay Hunt syndrome,” she shares. This personal experience solidified her decision to pursue a Doctorate in Audiology (AuD) at the University of Minnesota. After graduating, Andrea moved to the small town of Fosston, Minnesota, and she began commuting to an audiology clinic in Bemidji. It was there that the critical lack of local speech-language services became glaringly apparent.

“I kept noticing the healthcare disparities in rural communities,” Andrea recalls. “The only speech therapist in our town was retiring, and I just thought—what on earth is our community going to do?” With a pediatric speech therapy waitlist nearing a year, families were being forced to travel long distances for care. “When you think about the critical period for language development, whether for hearing intervention or speech intervention, these kids were missing that window.”

Realizing she could address this need, Andrea enrolled in UND’s Master of Speech-Language Pathology program. She credits UND’s welcoming, collaborative environment as the deciding factor: “The camaraderie and personal support at UND were incredible, and it was the best choice I could have made.”

Pine Peak Therapy: Serving a Rural Community

Shortly after graduating, Andrea joined the team at Pine Peak Therapy in Fosston, a multidisciplinary clinic offering occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech-language pathology, and audiology services. “It’s a one-stoplight town,” Andrea laughs, “which makes it easy to give directions to our clinic!” Andrea’s colleagues include Mallory Vig, an occupational therapist who is also a UND alum, and physical therapist Vickie Anderson.

At Pine Peak, Andrea’s dual expertise allows her to provide comprehensive care to clients in a single setting. “When I’m doing a speech evaluation, I’m also thinking: Can this child hear me? Can they process the information I’m presenting?” she explains. Instead of waiting weeks for separate appointments, Andrea can immediately identify and address issues like fluid buildup in the ears or wax blockages—obstacles that may affect speech and language development.

“For families in rural areas, the ability to have both audiology and speech services in one place is invaluable,” Andrea emphasizes. “I’ve had parents drive hours to see me because there’s no one else around.” Her passion for rural healthcare access is palpable. “In larger communities, you have the luxury of specialists. But in small towns, people cannot drive two hours on a whim. The weather alone makes it impossible some days. I think of those kids who need hearing aids—we can’t just give them a hearing aid and expect them to know everything. If there’s no SLP nearby, how will they learn the language they’ve been missing?”

Teaching the Next Generation

In addition to her clinical work, Andrea teaches the Audiology for SLPs graduate course at UND. For her, it’s a perfect fit. “I feel like the class was meant just for me,” she says with a smile. Her dual perspective allows her to provide students with a more integrated understanding of the two fields. “I explain why audiology is important from the speech side and vice versa—because I’m doing both.”

Andrea hopes to inspire her students to foster stronger relationships between SLPs and audiologists, particularly as they enter the workforce. “The two professions really need to collaborate more,” she insists. “If we don’t work together, we’re not providing the best care. I want my students to feel confident reaching out to colleagues in both fields.”

Bridging the Professions

Beyond her private practice and teaching role, Andrea contracts with Grand Forks Public Schools as an audiologist. Her dual training enhances her ability to support school-based SLPs. “I help them understand what’s in their scope of practice, and when to refer a child to me,” she explains. This collaborative approach ensures students receive timely and effective care.

When asked whether more professionals should consider dual certification, Andrea pauses. “It’s not feasible for everyone, but if you’re planning to work in a rural area where folks are underserved, it’s important to consider. How can we treat one without the other? It’s like getting your hip replaced and skipping physical therapy. You need both.”

Building Relationships, Changing Lives

For Andrea, the most rewarding aspect of her work is the relationships she builds with her clients. “I love audiology, but you only see those patients once or twice a year. With speech therapy, I get to see my clients multiple times a week. It’s such a privilege to watch their progress and know I’m helping them in meaningful ways.”

Whether she’s fitting hearing aids, teaching graduate students, or working with children to improve their communication skills, Andrea’s unique combination of expertise and compassion is making a lasting impact. As she continues to expand her skills—she hopes to delve further into aural rehabilitation for cochlear implant patients—Andrea remains committed to the mission that brought her here: improving access to care for rural communities.

“I love what I do,” she concludes. “It allows me to use all my skills to help people, and that’s what matters most.”

Dr. Andrea Wilson’s story is a powerful reminder of the impact one dedicated professional can have on an entire community. At UND, we are proud to call her an alumna, colleague, and advocate for comprehensive care.