Although born in Michigan, Amber grew up in Dunnellon, Fl. After working 12 years in finance and accounting, Amber experienced a mild stroke at age 30 resulting in a brief period of aphasia (language impairment). This experience was impactful and lead to the desire to change professions into rehabilitation and speech language pathology. At this time, Amber returned to college to earn both a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of South Florida, graduating Summa Cum Laude.
Amber completed her Clinical Fellowship in the Aerodigestive Research Core labratory under the mentorship of Dr. Emily Plowman. She is involved in funded clinical trials in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy (OPMD), and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). She also works with Dr. Plowman in the Neuromuscular outpatient clinic and is the Cardiothoracic ICU Study Coordinator and primary research SLP at UF Health/Shands Hospital Cardiac Intensive Care Unit. She is passionate about helping patients with breathing, swallowing, and communication disorders and feels her own life experiences provide her with a powerful perspective in her provision of clinical care. When not in the lab, Amber enjoys cooking, baking, volunteering, and spending time with family, friends, and animals.