Dr. Kelli U.

Keynote Speaker, Speech Language Pathologist, Author, Nonprofit Founder at Brain Talk Foundation

Sports

Education: North Carolina A&T State University - Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions
Charlotte, NC, USA

Biography

Dr. Kelli A. Uitenham is a nationally certified medical speech-language pathologist, private telepractice owner, founder of Brain Talk Foundation, and an esteemed public speaker. She has over a decade of experience specializing in neurological and neurodegenerative disorders. Dr. Kelli specializes in working with adults and seniors, focusing on dementia, stroke rehabilitation, dysphagia, Parkinson's disease, etc. She is licensed to practice in nine states. Her extensive career includes work in skilled nursing, assisted living, independent living facilities, home health, hospital settings, and as a traveling speech-language pathologist. Dr. Kelli has been invited to speak on a wide range of topics, including concussions, traumatic brain injury, and CTE in athletes, long COVID related brain fog, dementia, and more.
Drawing from her extensive knowledge and personal interviews with athletes, Dr. Kelli authored The 25,000 Mark: It’s Not Just A Concussion. This book sheds light on the critical issues of concussions, traumatic brain injuries (TBI), and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in athletes and the vital role of medical SLPs. Through heartfelt conversations and thorough research, she aims to educate and inspire readers to prioritize brain health.

Passion

As a former athlete, Dr. Kelli’s raising awareness about brain health is deeply rooted in her commitment to education and advocacy. She is dedicated to highlighting the importance of understanding concussions, traumatic brain injuries (TBI), and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), especially in athletes who face significant risks. Through Dr. Kelli’s work with the Brain Talk Foundation and her upcoming book, "The 25,000 Mark: It’s Not Just A Concussion," she aims to share compelling stories and expert insights to bring these critical issues to the forefront of public consciousness. Dr. Kelli’s goal is to foster a greater awareness of the long-term impacts of brain injuries and promote better prevention, diagnosis, and care practices. This mission reflects a heartfelt desire to make a positive impact on individuals' lives and contribute to the overall well-being of communities.

I am willing to travel

More than 100 miles

When it comes to payments

I generally get paid for speaking but make exceptions

Topics

brain health athlete mental health concussion brain injuries from sports or sports concussions concussion care medical speech language pathology traumatic brain injury traumatic brain injury and neuro critical care tbi traumatic brain injury persistence resilience neurologic diseases physicians nonprofit author book author womens leadership womens health sports women in sports children and sports brain injury brain injuries from sports coaches

Origin Story

Dr. Kelli was a featured speaker at the annual South Carolina convention. She presented on concussion and TBI and the role of SLPs. Following the presentation a long line of audience members formed to learn more about what they could do for their loved ones that showed signs of concussion or TBI. If her colleagues needed more information, she knew the public needed more information. This experience fueled Dr. Kelli’s desire to do more, leading her to establish Brain Talk Foundation. This nonprofit was born out of her commitment to providing education, resources, and support to those affected by brain injuries, as well as to their families, healthcare providers, and communities. Dr. Kelli’s vision was to create a space where conversations about brain health could be elevated, and where proactive measures could be encouraged to protect individuals from the often overlooked but serious consequences of brain injuries.