Helen Cohen

Helen Cohen, BA, CLC, is a graduate student at the MGH Institute of Health Professions, where she is pursuing a Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology with a concentration in Medical Speech Pathology. Alongside her academic work, she serves as a research assistant at the University of Rhode Island, conducting research on Pediatric Feeding Disorder, Family Centered Care, and Implementation Science. She is also an ALPP Certified Lactation Counselor. Helen is an aspiring speech-language pathologist with a passion for advocacy and for comprehensive, person-focused, and family-centered care. Her clinical focus includes pediatric feeding and swallowing, palliative care, neurogenic communication disorders, and rural service provision. Prior to beginning graduate studies, Helen completed a BA in Psychology and Linguistics at Bard College at Simon’s Rock. Her experience at Simon’s Rock, studying in a wholly interdisciplinary environment, instilled a commitment to integrating scientific and humanistic principles. Her exposure to rural and disadvantaged communities during her undergraduate studies fostered an interest in supporting complex populations. As an emerging researcher, Helen focuses on implementation science and on bridging the gap between research and practice to improve outcomes for patients and families. She utilizes a research framework grounded in experience in service and community leadership, founded on accessibility, actionability, and equity. She believes that research is a tool for advocacy and change. She is passionate about qualitative and mixed-method research and has experience studying family-centered care through an actionable lens through her bachelor's thesis, “It Takes More than Lollipops: Improving Medical Interactions with Children".