Ruth Jenkins

Ruth Jenkins, MS, CCC-SLP, received her master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Portland State University in 1995. She completed her Clinical Fellowship Year (CFY) in the public schools and has since worked for the Providence Health System in various settings, including acute care, rehabilitation, outpatient services (both pediatric and adult), and for the past 14 years, in home health settings with adults. Ruth is a former president of the Oregon Academy of Speech Pathology and Audiology and has taught courses for that organization, the Oregon Speech-Language-Hearing Association, and other groups of speech-language pathologists working in both pediatric and adult practices. She has also led workshops on dysphagia in RCF/ICF settings and presented speech, language, and cognitive workshops to Parkinson’s groups and hospice volunteers. Before entering the field of speech-language pathology, Ruth earned a BFA in Acting and was employed as an actress with various repertory companies. For the past 25 years, she has performed with ComedySportz, a national improvisational comedy troupe. She and her husband founded the Portland ComedySportz troupe, where she remains an active performer and workshop instructor, leading sessions on improvisational skills and group unity training. Ruth also teaches improv and directs plays for elementary and middle school students.