Ashley Regional Medical Center announced the addition of Gaven Spears, M.S., CF-SLP, to its Rehabilitation Services team as a Speech-Language Pathologist on September 28, 2026. The expansion of the speech therapy program is intended to help patients overcome communication, cognitive, and swallowing challenges while reducing wait times for patients throughout the Uintah Basin.
CEO Alan Olive stated that the hospital is thrilled to welcome Spears to the rehabilitation team. Olive noted that the demand for speech therapy services continues to grow and that adding a new provider allows the facility to better meet community needs and move patients through the wait list more quickly.
Spears, who is originally from Craig, Colorado, recently relocated to the Vernal area with his wife, Teonna, and their three children, McKay, Thayna, and Brayce. Spears earned a bachelor's degree from Brigham Young University-Idaho and a Master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Wyoming.
Spears expressed excitement about joining Ashley Regional Medical Center to work with patients across the Uintah Basin, noting the impact healthcare can have in smaller communities. He stated that helping people communicate more effectively and improve their independence is incredibly rewarding.
The Rehabilitation Services team at Ashley Regional Medical Center provides comprehensive therapy services designed to improve patient function, independence, and overall quality of life. The addition of Spears strengthens the hospital's ability to meet growing regional rehabilitation needs and provide timely access to specialized care.
