Dean Esther Kim

Dr. Esther Kim was appointed Dean of the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine in July 2026 after serving as Interim Dean since April 2025. Previously she served as Chair of the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders from August 2021 to March 2025. 

After earning her BSc (Psychology) from the University of Alberta, Dr. Kim completed her MS in Speech-Language Pathology and PhD in Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences and postdoctoral studies at the University of Arizona. She returned to the University of Alberta and joined the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders in December 2009.

Dr. Kim's clinical and research interests focus on improving outcomes for people with aphasia and other acquired and progressive communication disorders. She examines treatments that can enhance neural plasticity in individuals with neurological damage, as well as interventions that facilitate accessibility and participation for individuals with communication disabilities. She is co-founder of the Alberta Aphasia Camp and the Corbett Aphasia Rehabilitation and Education (CARE) program. 

As Dean, her focus is on strengthening a culture where faculty, staff and students thrive, allowing for the translation of research into practice through meaningful partnerships, and scaling access to high-quality rehabilitation education.

Guided by the Faculty's strategic plan, she is focused on strengthening partnerships with communities, the health system and Indigenous partners, honouring the University's Treaty responsibilities, translating research into meaningful improvements in care, and expanding access to high-quality rehabilitation education while advancing the Faculty's role as a global leader in rehabilitation.

Before becoming Dean, Dr. Kim shared what inspires her work. Read the profile.