Today we’d like to introduce you to Neena Elmore.
Neena , we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
After treating my uncle for dysphagia following a heart attack, I witnessed firsthand the gap in care within our community. He had a feeding tube, and specialized dysphagia therapy simply was not available in our area. As I walked alongside him through his recovery, the Lord laid it upon my heart to open a clinic so that others would not have to go without the services they desperately needed. Today, my uncle is enjoying a regular diet and all the food and drink he loves—a powerful reminder of why this work matters. What began with one patient has grown into a thriving practice serving several hundred children and adults. We specialize in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), providing communication devices for children who are nonverbal and empowering families with the tools to help their children find their voices. Our clinic supports children with speech and language delays, fluency disorders, and feeding challenges, as well as adults recovering from stroke and traumatic brain injury, and those needing voice therapy for Parkinson’s disease. Voice therapy is a particular area of passion and specialization for me. We also offer an intensive week of language therapy for our children annually. Our Language Camp is a themed, highly anticipated event designed to help children strengthen their speech and language skills in a fun and supportive environment. Each year, we create an engaging experience filled with interactive activities, movement, crafts, sensory play, and hands-on learning that target articulation, vocabulary, social communication, and overall language development. Every day is intentionally structured to build confidence, encourage peer interaction, and promote carryover of skills into everyday life—all while making learning feel like an exciting adventure. Beyond our local community, I have led mission efforts in Honduras, providing communication devices and conducting workshops for teachers on creating language-rich environments and supporting students with speech and language difficulties. At the heart of our clinic is faith—we pray over our patients because we believe God is the ultimate healer. What started as a calling born from one family member’s need has become a mission to restore communication, confidence, and hope for hundreds of families.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not been a smooth road. Building this clinic has required me to wear every hat—evaluator, therapist, biller, accountant, marketer, social media manager, and business owner. I run the errands, handle the paperwork, manage the finances, and still show up fully present for every patient who walks through our doors. There are many days when I am simply tired. Learning how to navigate insurance billing was a steep learning curve, and establishing relationships with physicians so they would confidently refer patients to us took persistence and time. Managing the business side of healthcare—budgets, marketing, compliance, and growth—has stretched me in ways graduate school never prepared me for. It has been challenging, refining, and at times overwhelming. But even in the struggles, I have seen growth, resilience, and God’s faithfulness every step of the way.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a speech-language pathologist and the founder of my clinic, with over 15 years of experience in the field of communication sciences and disorders. I earned my Bachelor’s degree from University of Memphis and began my career working as a speech teacher for three years, where I developed a deep love for serving children and families. In 2014, I graduated from Nova Southeastern University with a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology, and I have been practicing as a licensed speech-language pathologist for the past 12 years.
Throughout my career, I have worked with both children and adults across the lifespan, evaluating and treating speech, language, feeding, fluency, cognitive-communication, and voice disorders. I specialize in dysphagia therapy and am eSwallow certified, providing evidence-based swallowing assessments and treatment. I am also known for my work in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), helping nonverbal children access communication devices and equipping families with the tools and confidence to use them effectively. In addition, I specialize in voice therapy, serving individuals with professional voice demands as well as adults with neurological voice disorders, including Parkinson’s disease.
Over the years, my work has expanded beyond the clinic through mission efforts in Honduras, where I have provided communication devices and conducted workshops for teachers on building language-rich environments for students with speech and language challenges. What sets me apart is the combination of clinical expertise, entrepreneurial leadership, and faith-centered care. I believe communication is foundational to dignity and quality of life. Whether helping an adult return to a regular diet, supporting a child in saying their first words, or restoring confidence to someone who has lost their voice, I consider it an honor to walk alongside each patient. This work is more than a profession to me—it is a calling.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, I was a creative and driven child with a wide range of interests. I loved being involved and rarely sat on the sidelines. I participated in school plays and choir, and I was actively involved in Odyssey of the Mind, where I was able to blend creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork. At the same time, I enjoyed athletics and played basketball, softball, and tennis. That balance of creativity and competition shaped me in powerful ways.
Leadership was also a natural part of my journey. I was involved in my church youth group and participated in organizations such as FFA, FCA, and VICA throughout school, serving as an officer in several of them. I graduated as the historian of my class, which reflected both my commitment to service and my desire to preserve and celebrate the stories of those around me. Looking back, the threads of who I am today were present even then—a love for communication, leadership, faith, creativity, and serving others. Those early experiences helped form the foundation for the clinician, business owner, and mission-minded leader I would eventually become.
Pricing:
- We accept the following insurances
- Medicare/Medicaid
- BlueCrossBlueShield/BlueCare
- Wellpoint
- Aetna/Tricare/Cigna
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.honeyintherocktherapy.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61552513343680
