NBA Star Inspires SHP Students to Find Their Voice
Former player Michael Kidd-Gilchrist visited SHP to share how overcoming his stutter led him to advocate for others through his nonprofit, Change & Impact.
In a heartfelt classroom session, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist spoke candidly to first-year Rutgers Health students about growth, resilience and finding voice in the face of challenge. He recalled hiding his stutter early on—and then sharing it deliberately to help others feel seen.
During the discussion he emphasized that communication goes beyond flawless speech and that vulnerability can fuel empathy, advocacy and change. Through his nonprofit work pushing for expanded speech-therapy coverage, Kidd-Gilchrist offered future clinicians a vivid example of how lived experience and professional passion can converge in service of health equity.