For over 14 years, speech pathologist Chloe Walton’s career has struck a perfect chord between her love of voice and her dedication to healing.
Initially planning to pursue a career in singing, Chloe realised she could blend her musical talents with healthcare, leading her to specialise in speech pathology.
Today, as the Clinical Lead of the Speech Pathology Outpatient Team at Logan Hospital and an Advanced Speech Pathologist for the Respiratory and Gastroenterology teams, she continues to let her passion for voice guide her work, hitting all the right notes in patient care.
Chloe said her journey into speech pathology was born from her love of singing – a passion she continues to nurture outside of work.
“In my spare time I enjoy singing and using my voice, I am part of the Opera Queensland chorus and have been part of a few recent productions the most recent Verdi’s Macbeth last year at QPAC,” Chloe said.
This dual love of voice—both as an art form and a critical aspect of health—shapes her professional life.
Chloe said her role involved leading a team that provided innovative care for patients with voice, middle airway, and swallowing conditions, always striving for excellence in clinical outcomes.
The most rewarding part of her job?
“Being able to ease patients' symptoms and improve their quality of life.”
A particularly memorable experience for her has been applying her PhD research to clinical practice, helping patients with vocal fold paralysis regain their voice and confidence.
In addition to her work with voice, Chloe has played a key role in pioneering new models of care at Logan Hospital. She spearheaded the creation of the Logan Hospital Chronic Cough First Point of Contact Clinic in 2021, an initiative that has since expanded to QEII and Redlands Hospitals, improving access to care for patients with chronic cough.
More recently, Chloe helped establish a Gastroenterology First Point of Contact clinic to address long waiting lists, providing specialised care for patients with reflux and related conditions.
As LBHS celebrates Speech Pathology Awareness Week, we honour not only Chloe's remarkable contributions but also the entire speech pathology department's dedication to giving every patient a voice.