New speech-language pathologist accepting Medi-Cal at Adventist Physical Therapy

Christa Van Gemert cares for children and adults with a variety of speech disorders, such as delays in language acquisition, speech articulation problems, aphasia after stroke and voice and swallowing disorders. She’s the second speech-language pathologist at Physical Therapy in Hanford, but the only one who accepts both private and Medi-Cal patients.

Van Gemert began her career as a certified occupational therapy assistant at Physical Therapy in Hanford and Adventist Health Home Care and Hospice. As she witnessed other rehab therapies, she quickly became fascinated with the communication aspect of speech therapy.

“Not being able to communicate effectively impacts a person’s quality of life,” she says. “So, to be able to give a person the gift of communication is really rewarding.”

Van Gemert went back to school to earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees in speech therapy from California State University, Fresno. She received hands-on training during graduate school at speech therapy facilities in Fresno and Hanford, including at Adventist Health in Hanford.

She accepts referrals from providers and may be reached for questions at Physical Therapy in Hanford, 210 W. Lacey Blvd., with a phone number of 559-537-2240 and fax of 559-537-2242.