Speech Therapy Services Coming to Carlsbad

Artesia General Hospital (AGH) has announced the expansion of its outpatient speech therapy services to Carlsbad, marking a significant step toward increasing access to care for patients in southeastern New Mexico. The expanded services aim to meet growing demand while making treatment more convenient for individuals in and around the Carlsbad area.

Vanessa J. Harvey, MS, CCC-SLP, a certified Speech-Language Pathologist at AGH, will work out of the hospital’s multi-specialty clinic in Carlsbad starting April 16. With extensive experience in diagnosing and treating communication disorders, Vanessa is dedicated to helping patients regain and improve their speech and language abilities, thereby enhancing their overall quality of life.

Her work is particularly impactful for individuals recovering from strokes or other conditions affecting communication. Vanessa’s commitment to patient care contributes significantly to AGH’s mission of providing comprehensive healthcare services to the community.

“Speech therapy can be life changing. When we help someone speak clearly again or swallow safely after a major medical event, we’re not just improving their health—we’re giving them back their independence,” Harvey said.

The new offering brings AGH’s licensed speech-language pathologist directly to Carlsbad, providing evaluation and treatment for a wide range of conditions, including speech and language disorders, cognitive-communication challenges, voice issues, and swallowing difficulties.

“This expansion is part of our ongoing commitment to improve access to high-quality care throughout the region,” said Dr. Joe Salgado, Chief Executive Officer at Artesia General Hospital. “We know how difficult it can be for families to travel for specialty care, so we’re bringing these vital services closer to home for our Carlsbad neighbors.”

Speech therapy benefits patients across the lifespan—from toddlers struggling to meet developmental speech milestones to adults recovering from strokes, traumatic brain injuries, or neurological conditions like Parkinson’s disease. Therapy may also support patients facing challenges related to voice production, articulation, memory, problem-solving, and even swallowing.

“Our goal is to provide personalized care that supports each patient’s communication and cognitive needs,” said Justin Hammer, Director of Therapy Services at AGH. “Whether someone is recovering from surgery, managing a chronic condition, or seeking early intervention for their child, our team is equipped to help.”

AGH also offers additional specialty services in Carlsbad, including Podiatry, Behavioral Health, Endocrinology, and Orthopedics.

To schedule an appointment or learn more about AGH’s speech therapy services in Carlsbad, please call the Artesia General Hospital Rehabilitation Services department at 575-748-8414.