Each month Mediplacements would like to recognise one of our locums for their personal achievement and commitment to the Healthcare service!

Name: Jeannie Laliberte

Profession: Speech and Language Therapist

Where are you from?
I’m originally from the United States although I have lived in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, for almost ten years now. I have dual US and British citizenship.

Current Locum position?
Advanced Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

Personal achievements within the role?
Taking the lead in initiating a successful weaning regime for a complex tracheostomy patient on our rehab unit. After two previous unsuccessful decannulation attempts the doctors were planning to send her home with a long-term trachy but under our graded weaning plan she is doing well and is on track to be decannulated for good in two more days. This will make a real difference to her quality of life, especially when she goes home.

What do you enjoy about being a locum?
Locum work allows for the perfect work-life balance! I love having the opportunity to take on varied and exciting new professional challenges yet I still have plenty of time for outdoor pursuits, travelling and hanging out with my family in the United States.

Most memorable moment within your career?
This is a hard one - I’ve had a long and fulfilling career spanning two continents with many memorable moments along the way. One unique challenge was providing speech and language therapy to a severely aphasic actor after his stroke. I ended up in the studio helping to revise his role and rewrite his scripts so he could continue his acting career. That was a new one for me!

If you were stranded on a desert island what 3 items would you take?
1.) My mobile (including Kindle app)
2.) A very large jar of peanut butter
3.) A heavy duty sea kayak