Heather M. Clark

Dr. Heather M. Clark is a Professor of Speech Pathology at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and serves as a Consultant in the Department of Neurology at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. She is also the Chair of the Division of Speech Pathology. With expertise spanning both clinical practice and research, Dr. Clark focuses on speech, language, and swallowing disorders in patients with progressive neurological diseases such as primary progressive aphasia (PPA), primary progressive apraxia of speech (PPAOS), and progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP).

Dr. Clark earned her Ph.D. in Audiology & Speech Pathology from the University of Iowa (1996), an M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of North Dakota (1992), and a B.A. in Communication Disorders from the University of North Dakota (1990). She completed her clinical training through a Postdoctoral Fellowship and Residency at Mayo Clinic in 2011.

Her research focuses on oral and written language comprehension and expression in PPA, perceptual speech features of PPAOS and PSP, swallowing impairments in PPAOS, measures for quantifying severity of apraxia of speech, and tongue strength in neurodegenerative conditions. She collaborates extensively with Mayo Clinic researchers including Dr. Keith A. Josephs, Dr. Jennifer Whitwell, Dr. Rene L. Utianski, and Dr. Joseph R. Duffy.

Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on neuroimaging correlates of speech disorders, particularly using advanced techniques like diffusion tensor imaging, PET scanning, and functional connectivity analysis to understand the neurological basis of progressive speech and language disorders. Her work consistently bridges clinical observation with quantitative measurement.

• Fellowship of the Association, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2018
• Richard H. Barrett Award for research in orofacial myology, International Association of Orofacial Myology, 2012
• Bronze recognition 'Childhood Apraxia of Speech' MC6233-01 National Health Information Award, 2022
• Multiple teaching awards from Reich College of Education and North Carolina Board of Governors
• Editor's Award from American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology

Dr. Clark provides mentorship to residents and fellows while maintaining an active clinical practice. Her research contributes to accurate assessment of communication and swallowing disorders in neurodegenerative conditions by developing tools clinicians can use to identify and treat these impairments. She is deeply involved in professional organizations, having served as Past President (2025), President (2024), and President Elect (2023) of the Academy of Neurologic Communication Disorders and Sciences.