Mixing Music, Science and Sign Language, She Helps Others Communicate

The Duquesne University graduate, who majored in speech-language pathology (SLP) and minored in music, is using her dual expertise to help people with communication disorders.

“My musical knowledge impacts the work I do as an SLP,” said Yurick. “We can integrate music and movement into our practice to help patients communicate. Music accesses different parts of the brain, and this can be helpful for some patients. It is especially motivating for kids!” 

A passion for helping others drives Yurick. It also explains why she found Duquesne so attractive.

“The people are what make Duquesne special,” she said. “There is a sense of community where faculty are helping us so we can help others. And there are a lot of opportunities to humbly walk with others.”

Classroom discussions with specialists working in the field, local clinical placements, a mission trip to Jamaica and campus organizations, such as the American Sign Language (ASL) Club, helped expand Yurick’s horizons.

“The mission trip to the Jamaica Deaf Village was a powerful week for me,” she said. “All of the people coming together to support the Deaf community and being able to communicate with them in sign language was inspiring. It continued my passion for learning ASL and working with the Deaf community, and it gave me a perspective of gratitude and humility I continue to carry with me.”

Now working as a speech-language pathologist for the Maryland School for the Deaf, she notes her externships at the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf and Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh helped open doors for this opportunity, after graduating from the program in 2023.

“Both placements allowed me to quickly find a job in the field after graduating and, ultimately, back at a school for the Deaf,” she said. “Employers were impressed with my knowledge through both on-campus and outside experiences. In turn, I felt confident knowing that Duquesne had provided me with the education, mentorship and experiences needed to thrive in my career in an area of specialty.”

She also found support from her faculty, church community and classmates when she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) during her final year at Duquesne.

“The faculty gave me time to do what I needed to recover. Everyone was so supportive and kind,” she said. “They care about you as a person and that’s rare to find in a program.”

Yurick said the diagnosis also opened her eyes to further understand the patient perspective.

“I was going through the whole patient experience – navigating lifestyle changes, dealing with insurance, determining treatment and talking with health care providers,” she said. “Having MS has really expanded my perspective and given me an even deeper compassion for those going through various medical diagnoses and the challenges that come with it. Though I am not defined by it, it is a part of me that I can use to connect with others.”

Yurick said she is thankful for her Duquesne experience and how it has helped her to become the person she is today.

“I’m so grateful that I have the opportunity to serve others every day,” she said. “It’s such a blessing to work with my team within the Deaf community and use sign language daily. I love what I do.”