Swallow Your Pride Podcast

In this episode of the Swallow Your Pride podcast, Theresa Richard sits down with Ali Mehreganfar—a stroke survivor, motivational speaker, and author who is redefining what recovery can look like. Ali shares his incredible journey from coma to comeback, offering a heartfelt look into his hospital experiences, the hurdles of rehab, and the mindset shifts […] The post 366 – From Stroke to Strength: How One Survivor is Rewriting the Recovery Story appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 21 April 2025

In this episode of the “Swallow Your Pride” podcast, host Theresa Richard speaks with Roxann Diez Gross, PhD, CCC-SLP, ASHA Fellow, an expert in dysphagia with over 38 years of experience. Dr. Gross discusses her innovative Diez technique, which focuses on the interplay between breathing and swallowing to treat dysphagia. She shares insights from her […] The post 365 – The Diez Technique: Revolutionizing Dysphagia Care Through Breathing Coordination appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 13 April 2025

In this episode of the “Swallow Your Pride” podcast, host Theresa Richard speaks with Dr. Lauren Tabor Gray, a clinician scientist and assistant professor at Nova Southeastern University. Dr. Gray, who directs the Gray Research Lab, discusses her work on respiratory exercise interventions for ALS patients. The conversation covers the complexities of managing swallowing disorders […] The post 364 – Navigating the Complexities of ALS: A Deep Dive into Dysphagia and Airway Management with Dr. Lauren Tabor Gray appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 6 April 2025

In this episode of the "Swallow Your Pride" podcast, host Theresa Richard engages with Dr. Stephanie Watts and Jessica Gregor, MS, CCC-SLP, BCS-S  to discuss advancements in dysphagia care. They introduce the Esophageal CoLab and the Robust Esophageal Screening Test (REST), aiming to improve swallowing disorder diagnostics and treatment. The conversation highlights the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration, flexible clinical protocols, and ongoing education. Dr. Watts and Jessica share their experiences and research, emphasizing the need for tailored patient care and effective communication strategies. The episode concludes with a call to action for clinicians to adopt innovative practices and enhance patient outcomes. Find out more about their course here: https://esophagealcolab.com/offerings Resources that include articles discussed on this podcast: https://esophagealcolab.com/resources Timestamps:   Discussion on Esophageal Co-lab (00:03:35) Meeting Origin Story (00:04:41) Need for Education (00:06:10) Importance of Protocols (00:07:01) Explanation of REST (00:09:16) Training Evolution (00:11:30) Understanding Esophageal Function (00:12:49) Addressing Knowledge Gaps (00:14:43) Role of the SLP Team (00:17:30) Research and Development (00:19:34) Standardization Process (00:21:52) Future of the Co-lab (00:22:37) Research on Bolus Trials (00:23:27) Protocol Adaptability (00:24:07) Collaboration and Town Hall (00:26:04) Change Management in SLPs (00:28:22) Support from Radiologists (00:29:00) Course Structure and Topics (00:31:38) Importance of Critical Thinking (00:34:45) Future Course Offerings (00:40:05) Feedback and Impact (00:40:58) Registration Information (00:42:11) The post 363 – From Research to Reality: How REST is Changing the Game for Swallowing Specialists appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 25 March 2025

In this episode of the "Swallow Your Pride" podcast, host Theresa Richard interviews Bennett Blakeman, co-founder of K Pharmaceuticals, about Aquoral, a product designed to alleviate dry mouth (xerostomia). Bennett explains how Aquoral differs from typical water-based products by creating a protective layer in the mouth, offering longer-lasting relief. They discuss the importance of patient education, access, and the cost of Aquoral, emphasizing its benefits for individuals undergoing cancer treatments or dealing with Sjögren's syndrome. The episode underscores the need for innovative, patient-centered solutions in the field of swallowing disorders. The post 362 – From Parched to Perfect: The Game-Changer for Dry Mouth Relief with Aquoral appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 17 March 2025

What do rats have to do with swallowing disorders? More than you think! In this episode, we talk with Michelle Ciucci, PhD, CCC-SLP, a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, to explore the important role of animal research in understanding swallowing disorders in neurogenic diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. Michelle explains how her lab uses […] The post 361 – Beyond the Clinic: How animal models are changing dysphagia research with Dr. Michelle Ciucci appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 3 March 2025

"I go to swallow, and nothing triggers. Alarm bells are ringing in my head because, as a speech therapist, it's the scariest feeling." What started as a routine cosmetic procedure turned into a medical nightmare for SLP Megan McCue. After just 12 units of Botox, she experienced severe swallowing difficulties, systemic complications, and a battle to be believed by medical professionals. Her story exposes the darker side of a treatment millions undergo without question. In this eye-opening episode, learn about: The hidden risks of botulinum toxin treatments How Botox can affect swallowing function Critical warning signs every medical professional should know The importance of including Botox history in patient screenings Latest research on systemic spread and nervous system impact As both a patient and healthcare provider, Megan offers unique insights into this under-discussed issue, challenging common assumptions about a widely-used treatment. Whether you're a medical professional or considering Botox treatment, this episode provides crucial information about potential risks and the importance of informed consent. Get the show notes: https://syppodcast.com/360 The post 360 – When Beauty Treatments Go Wrong: An SLP’s Warning About Cosmetic Botox Injections appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 25 February 2025

Is picky eating just a phase, or could it be something more serious? How can we tell the difference? What do we do next?  These questions are so common for clinicians and caregivers alike.  Feeding challenges can contribute to high levels of stress and even PTSD for the families we serve.  Thankfully, in this week’s episode, renowned feeding specialist Melanie Potock, MA, CCC-SLP, brings her 25 years of experience and expertise to the table (pun intended)! She shares how her experiences with feeding challenges inspired her career and offers advice on navigating the complex world of feeding therapy. Get the notes: https://syppodcast.com/359 The post 359 – The truth about picky eaters: What every parent and SLP should know appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 16 February 2025

When passion meets purpose, incredible things happen… In this inspiring episode, Melissa Grassia-Chisholm shares her vision for bridging gaps in voice and swallowing therapy through the upcoming Functional Voice Swallow Airway Conference – and proves that innovation often starts with seeing what's missing. With remarkable enthusiasm, Melissa opens up about:  ➡️ Creating a hands-on learning […] The post 358 – Breaking the Voice Conference Mold: From hands-on workshops to innovative therapy approaches appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 9 February 2025

Ever wished there was a way to make nutritional supplements actually enjoyable for your patients with dysphagia? Meet Jeff Holtz, the ice cream innovator who's shaking up how we think about dysphagia nutrition. With 30 years in the ice cream industry, Jeff didn't just create another supplement – he developed a fortified ice cream that […] The post 357 – Ice Cream That Heals? Meet Jeff Holtz, CEO of Thrive Ice Cream! appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 4 February 2025

When life hands you an unconventional path, sometimes it leads to exactly where you're meant to be… In this inspiring episode, Hannelyn Perez shares her remarkable journey from Navy medical service to speech-language pathology to tech innovation – and proves that your background doesn't define your future. With remarkable candor, Hannelyn opens up about:  ➡️ […] The post 356 – From Military Service to Med SLP Innovation: A Story of Grit & Growth appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 27 January 2025

Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of medical trauma, depression, and suicidal ideation. One minute she was living her dream as a school SLP. The next, she was using eye gaze to communicate in the ICU… In this deeply personal episode, Vanessa Abraham, M.S., CCC-SLP shares her profound journey from school-based SLP to ICU patient, […] The post 355 – From SLP to Patient: A Journey That Will Change How You Practice – Vanessa Abraham, M.S., CCC-SLP appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 20 January 2025

Thinking about bringing FEES to your facility but feeling overwhelmed by the logistics? You're not alone! From infection control protocols to physician collaboration, implementing FEES can seem like climbing Mount Everest.  In this week's episode, Sandy Schwartz, MS, CCC-SLP shares game-changing insights about:  Cost analysis and ROI justification  Training requirements and state regulations  Equipment selection […] The post 354 – FEES Implementation: From Equipment to ROI – A Practical Guide – Sandra A Schwartz MS, CCC-SLP appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 15 January 2025

Are you frustrated with patient positioning during video fluoroscopy studies? Ever wonder why some facilities seem to breeze through MBS studies while others struggle to get basic views? This week's episode might just change how you think about your fluoroscopy equipment forever. We're thrilled to share our conversation with Julie Kobak, MA, CCC-SLP, CBIS, a […] The post 353 – Why Your MBS Chair Could Make or Break Your Diagnostic Accuracy with Julie Kobak MA, CCC-SLP, CBIS appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 5 January 2025

Are you ready to rethink everything you know about voice therapy?  If so, buckle up. This week’s episode has everything you need to help you provide fast, functional, effective, and generalizable voice therapy. We are so proud to share our conversation with Amanda Gillespie, PhD, CCC-SLP, and Jackie Gartner-Schmidt, PhD, CCC-SLP, ASHA Fellow about their […] The post 352 – Conversation Training Therapy: Faster, smarter voice therapy appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 18 December 2024

Entrepreneurship The post 351 – Broad Horizons, Bold Moves: Calonda Henry on SLP Entrepreneurship, Advocacy, and Empowerment appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 8 December 2024

In the SLP space alone, there are over 300 kinds of certifications you can achieve in your professional development journey. While certifications are completely optional and a personal decision based on your goals and current work situation, there are certain standards to consider when browsing your options. One question to ask yourself is: “Is this certification accredited OR undergoing the accreditation process?” Creating an accredited certification program is not something one can randomly do or purchase. I know…who would have thought?! Accreditation is a rigorous, lengthy, and comprehensive process with multiple levels of accountability, subject matter experts, and psychometric methods. And the MSLP-C™ Certification is months away from being accredited! Friends, this was a pro cess.  We have shared a TON about the “why” behind this certification. In this week’s podcast we discuss the “how”!  Lori Morgan, PhD, CCC-SLP and Manny Straehle, PhD - a psychometrician (and data wizard, in my opinion) - join me to dive into the nitty gritty about the accreditation & certifying exam process for the MSLP™  Certification including: how accreditation works why we need a psychometrician on the team why and how a certification exam is created (THIS was a doozy!!) the process of item-writing, research, and verification what the overall goal is with this optional certification. Tune in and prepare to be blown away by how much work was done to ensure we are offering the highest quality certification program available to medical SLPs!  Find out more about the MSLP-C™ Certification Program here: https://medslped.com/certification The post 350 – MSLP-C™ Certification Updates: Accreditation, Committees, and Subject-Matter Experts! appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 3 December 2024

We have SLPs who niche….and then we have SLPs who super-niche. Meet this week’s guest on the podcast, Nashifa Hooda Momin SLP.D, CCC-SLP. Nashifa joins us this week to tell us all about the world of speech-language pathology in the care of infants with congenital heart disease (CHD)…like I said, super-niche! This episode is packed […] The post 349 – Tiny Hearts, Big Impact: The super-niche of congenital heart disease in infants with Nashifa Hooda Momin SLP.D, CCC-SLP appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 25 November 2024

Ever look at a research paper and feel your eyes glaze over at the sight of p-values and statistical jargon? You're not alone!  But what if I told you that understanding research could be simpler than you think? This week, we're joined by two incredible guests who are on a mission to demystify research and […] The post 348 – From Confusion to Clarity: Understanding Research and Statistics in Clinical Practice appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 11 November 2024

What do you do when the deck is stacked against you and your career goals? How do you pivot when things aren’t going according to plan? Who do you turn to for help when you’re flying solo as a private practice owner? Vanessa Alcala M.S., CCC-SLP, CDP, has the answers to all of these questions […] The post 347 – Eyes on the prize: Vanessa Alcala’s journey to entrepreneurship as an SLP appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 4 November 2024

What if you could take all of the evidence on aspiration, pneumonia, and dysphagia that has been amassed since the 1990s… …and package it into a clinical framework for SLPs to make informed decisions about aspiration risk? *BOLUS framework has entered the chat* Aaron Padilla MS, CCC-SLP, BCS-S and Phyllis Palmer, PhD, CCC-SLP join me on the Swallow Your Pride Podcast to introduce and explain the development of the BOLUS framework - a tool that considers: Bolus characteristics  Oral health  Lifestyle factors  Unintended disease  System status We dig into how this framework can guide your clinical decisions AND help you have more meaningful conversations with your patients and healthcare team about risk management. Ready to enhance your clinical decision-making process? Tune into Episode 346 and let me know what you think! Go and dowload the references and handout here: https://syppodcast.com/346 TIMESTAMPS: Discussion of the Bolus Framework (00:03:13) Physiological Actions Against Aspiration (00:04:56) Chronic Aspiration and Inflammation Cycle (00:07:59) Conceptualizing Risk for Aspiration Patients (00:09:34) Oral Health and Aspiration Risks (00:11:29) Iatrogenic Disease and Aspiration (00:13:47) Evidence Review of the Bolus Framework (00:15:40) Clinical Application of the Bolus Framework (00:19:08) Implementation Science in Clinical Practice (00:23:07) Patient-Centered Decision Making (00:24:16) Research and Future Directions (00:25:27) Interprofessional Collaboration (00:27:12) Bolus Framework in Clinical Practice (00:29:25) Health Literacy and Communication (00:32:20) Empowering Families in Decision Making (00:33:03) Critical Evaluation of Thickened Liquids (00:34:25) The post 346 – Risky Business: Navigating the Risk of Aspiration & Its Impacts Using the BOLUS Framework appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 31 October 2024

At the beginning of 2024, I hosted a free 5-day workshop dedicated to showing medical SLPs the ropes to achieving more at work (and for their patients) WITHOUT spending all of their money.  This week, you can tune in to days 3, 4 & 5 of the Pivotal SLP Workshop! Tune in, take notes, and […] The post 345 – How Can SLPs Secure Funding in Healthcare? Part 2 of the Pivotal SLP Workshop appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 26 October 2024

Have you ever requested new equipment or reimbursement for a continuing education course or certification? Did you get denied with a big fat NO? Great! You FAILed! (At your First Attempt in Learning)  At the beginning of 2024, I hosted a free 5-day workshop dedicated to showing medical SLPs the ropes to achieving more at work (and for their patients) WITHOUT spending all of their money. And guess what? Now you can listen to the entire workshop on this podcast. This week, you can tune in to days 1 & 2 of the Pivotal SLP Workshop! Tune in, take notes, and download the free Pivotal SLP Playbook to apply what you learn. Access the workbook here: https://theresarichard.com/pivotalslpplaybook Timestamps: Understanding the Healthcare Ecosystem (00:02:23) Effective Advocacy Strategies (00:04:26) Defining Resource Needs (00:05:15) Challenging Limiting Beliefs (00:06:06) Identifying Key Players (00:06:59) Learning from Nursing Models (00:08:07) Advocacy for SLP Training (00:09:05) Reframing Advocacy Language (00:10:42) Understanding Healthcare Priorities (00:11:38) Policies on Education and Funding (00:12:34) Collaboration Across Organizations (00:13:37) Building Relationships with Physicians (00:15:32) Engaging with Other Departments (00:17:33) Timing and Patience in Advocacy (00:18:25) Exploring Grants and Foundations (00:18:25) Understanding Grant Applications (00:19:18) The Purpose of Grants (00:20:17) Identifying Grant Opportunities (00:21:12) Target Populations for Grants (00:22:12) Local Corporate Grant Opportunities (00:23:26) Navigating Grant Search Engines (00:24:20) Creative Funding Approaches (00:27:06) Foundations and Funding (00:28:07) Leveraging LinkedIn for Networking (00:29:51) Final Thoughts on Grant Exploration (00:30:47) The post 344 – How Can SLPs Secure Funding in Healthcare? with Theresa Richard, MA, CCC-SLP, BCS-S appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 16 October 2024

This past August, the Mayo Clinic had accomplished what was believed to be impossible… The world’s FIRST successful *total* laryngeal transplant on a patient with active cancer! Doctors at Mayo Clinic Arizona completed the procedure on Marty, a 60-year old man with a rare form of laryngeal cancer called chondrosarcoma. A team of 6 physicians […] The post 343 – Total Laryngeal Transplant: Dr. Lott and Jessica Gregor Share the Details Behind This Major Medical Milestone appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 4 October 2024

“Research shows that one out of two patients forgets half the information given to them within 24 hours, and the other half remembers it incorrectly.” ☝️This is just ONE of the many golden nuggets of information that today’s guest throws at us. The ability to explain complex medical information and recommendations to patients in a way that’s easy to understand is a true and necessary art, which is why we have Richard Zraick Ph.D., CCC-SLP, F-ASHA, CHSE from the University of Central Florida here to talk about it! In this week's episode, you’ll learn all about.. The two types of health literacy and how SLPs are involved in both How tools like ChatGPT can help clinicians create more accessible patient education materials A teaching method that, according to some studies, significantly reduces misunderstandings (and it only adds about 30 seconds to a clinical session.) How to tackle poor health literacy from a multidisciplinary perspective Strategies YOU can adopt to reduce medical jargon and set patients up for greater long-term outcomes. *NOTE: October’s themed mission inside the Medical SLP Collective is Health Literacy! If you’re not yet a Collective member and want to join this month’s mission with actionable assignments to apply at your job, go to www.medslpcollective.com and enroll today! Visit the episode page here for more links from Dr. Zraick: https://syppodcast.com/342 The post 342 – Ditch the Medical Jargon for This: Health Literacy Insights with Dr. Richard Zraick appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 22 September 2024

You know those awkward moments where you can’t hear what someone is saying in a loud environment, so you just nod and agree to whatever they say? …hoping it makes sense to just nod and agree? As a medical SLP, odds are, you’ve worked with patients who have done this to you. Not because you’re providing therapy in a loud environment, but because they have receptive aphasia, or impaired auditory comprehension. While impaired speech and language is easy to pick up on, auditory comprehension is a whole different ballpark… Which is why we’re bring on our beloved aphasia & auditory comprehension MedSLP Collective mentor, Brett McCardel! Brett drops dozens of golden knowledge nuggets with us as he shares things like… What impaired auditory comprehension can look like (it really varies!) How auditory comprehension impacts quality of life The two ways we can classify auditory comprehension Assessment tools Treatment considerations And so much more!! If you serve people with aphasia at all, you won’t want to miss this episode! And if you want to dig EVEN DEEPER into your aphasia assessment and treatment skills, you might be interested in this month’s themed mission inside of the MedSLP Collective! We’re dedicating every resource, checklist, in-service, and webinar this month to aphasia - including aphasia in sign language! Get the show notes here: https://syppodcast.com/341 Aphasia Therapy Approach (00:01:34) Changes in the Meta SLP Collective (00:02:50) Focus on New Resources (00:03:46) Implementation of Material (00:05:42) Diving into Auditory Comprehension (00:07:02) Understanding Auditory Comprehension (00:08:50) Challenges in Auditory Comprehension (00:10:05) Impact on Quality of Life (00:12:04) Classifying Auditory Comprehension Deficits (00:14:44) Assessment of Auditory Comprehension (00:15:35) Common Assessment Tasks (00:18:02) Auditory Processing Model Overview (00:19:13) Auditory Comprehension at Single Word Level (00:20:17) Treatment Approaches for Single Word Level (00:21:24) Research on Auditory Discrimination Skills (00:22:12) Awareness in Auditory Comprehension (00:23:46) Transition to Sentence Level Comprehension (00:25:24) Assessment Tools for Sentence Level (00:27:44) Treatment Strategies for Syntax and Morphology (00:29:21) Discourse Level Assessment (00:33:31) Compensatory Strategies for Discourse Level (00:35:52) AAC and Auditory Comprehension Support (00:36:54) Case Study on Auditory Comprehension (00:37:41) Understanding Auditory Comprehension (00:38:52) Life Participation Approach (00:39:51) Communication Environment Considerations (00:40:00) Functional Treatment Strategies (00:41:00) Holistic Aphasia Treatment (00:41:54) The post 341 – The Complex World of Auditory Comprehension and Receptive Aphasia: Assessment, Treatment, and More appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 15 September 2024

While we often like to talk about research findings that shows us statistical significance in data and solid numbers we can lean on for treatment approaches… What about the kind of data that ISN’T objectively measured? The kind that shows us what patients or other clinicians experience think, or believe. I’m talking about qualitative research! Is qualitative research viewed as “less reputable” than quantitative research? What kind of valuable information can we pull from patient experiences, opinions, and views? Beatrice Manduchi PhD, MSc, BSc (SLP) is here to talk all about it in today’s episode of the Swallow Your Pride podcast! Beatrice is a speech-language pathologist who went from clinician to researcher and is currently working as a postdoc fellow at MD Anderson Cancer Center. Beatrice specializes in dysphagia, particularly in head and neck cancer. Tune into this episode to take a break from numerical data and explore the world of qualitative research and its impact on dysphagia! Link to show notes: https://syppodcast.com/340 TIMESTAMPS: Qualitative Research Interest (00:03:20) Importance of Qualitative Methods (00:05:17) Qualitative Research vs. Quantitative Research (00:06:07) Impact of Qualitative Research on Dysphagia (00:09:37) Patient Perspectives in Research (00:10:51) Integrating Qualitative Research with Clinical Practice (00:12:14) Conducting Qualitative Research (00:15:02) Data Saturation in Qualitative Research (00:17:22) The Role of Frameworks in Qualitative Research (00:20:18) Passion for Patient-Centered Research (00:22:18) Understanding Bias in Interviews (00:23:16) Nuances of Interview Guides (00:24:18) Proactive vs. Reactive Therapies (00:26:11) Patient Comfort with Therapies (00:29:00) Streamlined Processes in Therapy (00:30:22) Patient Education Importance (00:32:52) Setting Diet Goals (00:33:56) Shared Decision-Making Challenges (00:38:01) Surprising Findings from the Study (00:39:17) Next Steps in Research (00:41:22) The post 340 – The Power of Qualitative Research in Speech and Language Pathology – Beatrice Manduchi PhD, MSc, BSc (SLP) appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 3 September 2024

How confident are you in the world of… Concussion? Traumatic brain injury? Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) in young athletes and military personnel? In this podcast episode, Kelli A. Uitenham CScD, CCC-SLP dives into all of those topics and more as she shares her passion for and specialized work in the world of brain injury. Dr. Kelli Uitenham is the founder of the Brain Talk Foundation, which raises awareness about neurological conditions like the ones mentioned above. She also runs a private practice and loves bringing in innovative technology into her therapy sessions, like “Silent Silence AI” for expressive aphasia and “Power of Patients” for symptom tracking. You won’t want to miss this episode! Tune in now to dig even deeper into the world of brain injury. Get the show notes at: https://syppodcast.com/339 Timestamps: Discussion on Brain Talk Foundation (00:04:07) Awareness of Concussions (00:05:51) Introduction of Silent Silence Software (00:08:41) Power of Patient Software (00:12:52) Patient-Centered Data Tracking (00:13:37) Role of SLPs in Patient Care (00:16:39) Therapy and Treatment Overview (00:18:40) Functional Exercises for Patients (00:19:52) Being the Change (00:21:00) Value of Participation (00:21:53) Upcoming Presentations (00:25:00) Book Announcement (00:27:17) Athlete Interviews (00:29:00) The post 339 – Concussions, TBI, and CTE: The Silent Epidemic—Are We Talking Enough About It? with Dr. Kelli Uitenham appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 26 August 2024

We often talk about how aphasia impacts people’s ability to speak or understand language, but what about aphasia’s impact on sign language? Do the hands sometimes sign “apple” instead of “orange” thanks to a semantic paraphasia? If one arm is weak or paralyzed because of a stroke, how does THAT impact someone’s ability to communicate using sign language? Instead of speech-language pathology, would we make the focus sign-language pathology? Shelby Hill SLPD CCC-SLP QOM, is here to talk all about it - and you WON’T want to miss this discussion! Shelby describes her important work and research with individuals who are deaf and have also acquired a communication disorder. She covers important topics like whether or not sign language falls under the SLP scope of practice, how the neurological processes for signing are similar to those for speaking, and what aphasia can look like in individuals who use sign language. Don’t worry, if you find yourself saying, “I should have known that!” throughout this episode, you’re not alone. Get the show notes at: https://syppodcast.com/338 Timestamps: The post 338 – Aphasia in Sign-Language: The Emerging Specialty of Sign Language Pathology appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 22 August 2024

Okay, this might sound like a trick question, but…What is dysphagia? This single question might be the most “swallow your pride” kind of question for medical SLPs yet… Because, believe it or not, we have yet to establish a standardized definition of dysphagia! Which is exactly why Martin B. Brodsky Ph.D., Sc.M., CCC-SLP, F-ASHA, and Debra Suiter PhD, CCC-SLP, BCS-S are putting together a conference called “Defining Dysphagia: In Search of a Unified Definition for the Aging Population” and are joining me on this week’s episode of the Swallow Your Pride Podcast to talk about it! Dr. Brodksy and Dr. Suiter lay out the facts, questions, and barriers surrounding dysphagia definitions and how they impact clinical practice, research, and patient care. From the discrepancies between patient complaints and clinical definitions to the impacts that dysphagia has on coding and reimbursement, this single word has yet to reach a universal interpretation. The Defining Dysphagia conference is happening September 13th - 15th, and you can register now at https://syppodcast.com/definingdysphagia Timestamps: Importance of Consensus Definition (00:28:32) Speaker Lineup for Saturday (00:30:58) Telehealth in Dysphagia Treatment (00:31:09) Neurodegenerative Diseases Focus (00:32:12) Clinical Relevance of Speakers (00:33:30) Speakers' Role in Delphi Process (00:34:12) Conference Structure and CEUs (00:36:35) Multidisciplinary Nature of Conference (00:39:14) Invitation to Attend (00:40:36) Conference Website Information (00:41:16) The post 337 – That’s Not What Dysphagia Means: The Search for a Standardized Definition of One of the Most Important Words in Our Field – Dr. Martin Brodsky and Dr. Debra Suiter appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 15 August 2024

As an SLP, you’re most likely to see a patient when they’re medically stable…but what if you could also be there from the start of their medical emergency? What if you were part of the team who hops in the ambulance, assesses how critical someone’s condition is, and provides the first attempt in stablizing their health until you can get them to the hospital? That’s what Eleanor Smyser, M.S., CCC-SLP, A-EMT does! Eleanor is both an advanced emergency medical technician (EMT) and medical SLP, and she’s here today to share her experiences and how her training as an EMT has crossed over into her life as an SLP - and vice versa! Join us as we discuss… the importance of understanding airway management and patient stability the value of interdisciplinary collaboration Elanor’s personal story about her son's emergency, highlighting the critical role of emergency medical services (EMS). how combining SLP and EMS expertise can enhance patient care and outcomes a call for SLPs to broaden their medical knowledge. Tune in and share your thoughts! Get the show notes at https://syppodcast.com/336 Timestamps Eleanor's Journey into EMS (00:02:52) First Experience in EMS (00:03:53) Training During COVID (00:04:08) EMT Training Insights (00:05:42) Integration of EMT Knowledge into SLP Practice (00:06:33) Importance of Patient Stability (00:07:29) Holistic Patient Care Perspective (00:09:02) Data Points for Decision Making (00:11:22) Airway Management Equipment Overview (00:13:29) Basic Airway Devices (00:14:21) Super Melodic Airway Devices (00:15:13) Introduction to Supergalactic Airways (00:17:24) Traditional Intubation Methods (00:18:15) Emergency Cricothyrotomy (00:19:21) Personal Experience with Son's Emergency (00:19:29) Calmness in Crisis (00:21:01) Importance of Familiarity in Emergency Services (00:21:53) Lessons Learned from Emergency Situations (00:22:38) Building Relationships with EMS (00:23:11) Understanding Patient Emergencies (00:25:13) Teamwork in High-Stakes Situations (00:27:22) Communication Skills from EMS Experience (00:30:29) Importance of SLPs in Medical Teams (00:32:26) Encouragement for SLPs to Explore EMS (00:34:01) Eleanor's Sabbatical and Work Schedule (00:35:08) Volunteer Shifts and Work-Life Balance (00:36:04) The post 336 – SLP by day, EMT by night: How Emergency Medical Tech Training Enhanced This SLP’s Practice appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 7 August 2024

Today, we're featuring Part 2 of an episode of the Speeching it Real podcast, where host Christy Ubieta asks Theresa Richard, MA, CCC-SLP, BCS-S all the good questions. THIS is where you get to learn more about our beloved Swallow Your Pride Podcast and discover things like…. how Theresa almost didn’t become an SLP why […] The post 335 -From Fashion to FEES to PhD: Theresa Richard’s origin story – Part 2 appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 1 July 2024

This week's episode of the Swallow Your Pride Podcast will be a little different… It's a podcast within a podcast. We'll call it…podception. Today, we're featuring an episode of the Speeching it Real podcast, where host Christy Ubieta asks Theresa Richard, MA, CCC-SLP, BCS-S all the good questions. THIS is where you get to learn […] The post 334 – From Fashion to FEES to PhD: Theresa Richard’s Origin Story appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 28 June 2024

You know how dentists have those intraoral cameras that let patients see what’s going on in their mouth? What if SLPs could use those as part of their dysphagia assessment? Or as part of their biofeedback during therapy to check for residue and to see if certain compensatory strategies work? Just imagine quickly peeking into a patient’s mouth with an angled intraoral camera and finding bread in the valleculae from the patient’s last meal (which was two hours ago)! Turns out we can! James Curtis, PhD, CCC-SLP, and Ann Miles, PhD, are two SLPs and researchers who are exploring this idea and spill all the beans with us in this week’s episode of The Swallow Your Pride Podcast! Join James and Anna as they discuss the intraoral camera and… The benefits of adding it to our dysphagia assessments Potential applications in therapy and patient education The pioneering work of Jose Vergara’s team in Brazil Technical challenges Patient tolerance Current and future research Access to this instrument Tune in and give a shout-out to your local dentist for inspiring this idea! TIMESTAMPS: Initial exploration of intraoral cameras (00:05:42) Clinical application of intraoral cameras (00:10:44) Advantages and limitations of intraoral cameras (00:12:51) Procedure for using intraoral cameras (00:15:05) Challenges with intraoral cameras (00:19:01) Patient Positioning and Maneuvering (00:20:05) Challenges and Skills of Rigid Exam vs. Flexible Scope (00:20:56) Advantages of Intraoral Cameras (00:21:10) Importance of Post-Swallow Images and Video Clips (00:22:28) Sensitivity and Reliability of Intraoral Cameras (00:24:30) Comparative Research and Reproducibility (00:26:02) Limitations and Need for More Research (00:28:25) Cost and Infection Control Considerations (00:32:15) Integration into Clinical Protocols (00:33:42) Future Research and Implementation Studies (00:37:44) Intraoral Camera Use in New Zealand (00:40:09) Availability and Cost of Intraoral Cameras (00:40:56) Patient Populations for Intraoral Camera Use (00:41:38) Challenges and Benefits of Rigid Endoscopy (00:44:23) The post 333 – Can Intraoral Cameras Improve Dysphagia Management? Let’s Zoom In… appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 19 June 2024

“I’m looking for a guy in finance…” Okay, while that’s the start of a recent viral song, I spoke with an SLP who *was* in finance. Fred Stahl is a second-career medical SLP who shares how he went from hedge fund management to voice and dysphagia management for head and neck cancer survivors. Together we discuss why he left finance for speech pathology, his learning experience, his involvement in a research study on swallowing (and the unexpected findings), and the incredibly dynamic nature of our field. From embracing opportunities to learning from failures, Fred’s insight is both eye-opening and incredibly motivating! Tune in and get inspired. Get show notes here: https://syppodcast.com/332 Fred Stal is a Speech-Language Pathologist and Certified Brain Injury Specialist. He completed his initial training and clinical fellowship through Cleveland Clinic Rehabilitation Hospital. Currently, Fred works in the outpatient setting as well as per diem in the acute care setting. He recently published research as a co-author with the NYU Swallowing Research Lab, which was presented by the incredible lead author at the 2024 Dysphagia Research Society conference in Puerto Rico. His main areas of clinical interest include dysphagia management, upper airway disorders, and most of all… all things related to the head and neck cancer population. Research Link mentioned: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9513300/ Timestamps: Fred's Journey into Speech-Language Pathology (00:01:45) Fred's Clinical Experience and Career Path (00:02:29) Passion for Head and Neck Cancer Patients (00:05:47) Learning and Implementing New Techniques (00:07:59) Specialized Field within Speech-Language Pathology (00:08:46) Manual Therapy and Lymphedema in Head and Neck Patients (00:11:36) Presentation at ASHA and Case Studies (00:13:47) Continuous Learning and Adapting in the Field (00:16:41) The research publication (00:18:02) Learning from failures (00:21:26) Instrumental assessment and patient outcomes (00:25:28) Challenges in patient recovery (00:28:20) Value of long-term patient relationships (00:31:38) Advocacy and improvement in skilled nursing facilities (00:33:30) The power of basic tools in dysphagia therapy (00:34:17) Wada testing and awake craniotomy (00:35:15) Exploring new areas in speech pathology (00:36:16) The post 332 – From Hedge Funds to Medical: Fred Stal’s Unique Journey appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 10 June 2024

The Medical SLP version of a “Battle of the Bands” would be, without a doubt, a “Battle of the Instrumentals.” As in, which is better: MBS or FEES? The MBS has historically been viewed as the “gold standard” of instrumentals, but a LOT more research has come out about FEES since its introduction into the dysphagia world. And Dr. Jessica Pisegna is here to talk about it in this week’s episode of The Swallow Your Pride Podcast! Dr. Pesegna is the section chief at Boston Medical Center of the voice and swallowing center and has worked closely with the one and only Dr. Susan Langmore. In this episode, we cover: -When Dr. Pesegna chooses FEES, MBS, or BOTH simultanously. -What her latest research found when it comes to absent or reduced epiglottic inversion on FEES and what it can mean -The importance of the brand and color of food dye -Why FEES should be used in acute care -The use of residue rating scales and the consistency of clinician ratings. -Laryngeal sensory testing -The ice chip protocol and the Frazier Free Water Protocol -The reliability of Penetration-Aspiration Scale (PAS) on FEES. Prep your barium and get your scopes out, because this episode will leave you motivated to step up your game in the world of instrumental swallow studies! Get the show notes full of references here: https://syppodcast.com/331 TIMESTAMPS: Simultaneous FEES and Video Fluoroscopy (00:03:40) Research Findings (00:06:18) Sensitivity of FEES (00:10:00) FEES in Acute Care (00:14:49) Triage Protocol (00:16:17) Simultaneous FEES and Video Fluoroscopy (00:16:45) Turnaround Time for FEES (00:17:33) Rating Scales for Residue (00:18:12) Assessing Reliability Between Clinicians (00:19:48) New Zealand Secretion Scale (00:22:15) Global Picture of Patient Care (00:23:44) Management of Secretions in Acute Care (00:24:39) Laryngeal Sensory Testing (00:25:17) Ice Chip Protocol (00:28:55) FEES and PPIs Ratings (00:35:10) Challenges and Considerations in Using PAS on FEES (00:38:34) Reliability of Digest FEES (00:40:26) The post 331 – MBS vs FEES: Time to Dig Deeper into Instrumental Swallow Studies with Dr. Jessica Pisegna appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 3 June 2024

If you want to serve the head and neck cancer population or HOPE to one day…you do NOT want to miss this episode! Jennifer Larssen, an SLP at the University of South Florida, shares her experiences in developing innovative programs for head and neck surgery patients. She shares innovative programs and tools like… ✅A groundbreaking laryngeal speaking device for those who struggle with the traditional electrolarynx. ✅A self-dilation program for patients with laryngectomy and/or radiation to the neck. ✅A TEP clinic. ✅Support groups - include one for women who have undergone a laryngectomy. ✅Social events (like a trip to Busch Gardens and makeup lessons post-surgery and/or radiation) Prepare to feel inspired! Download the show notes: https://syppodcast.com/330 TIMESTAMPS: Introduction (00:00:00) Program Development at USF (00:00:42) Tracheoesophageal Prostheses and TEP Clinics (00:02:51) Larynx Demo Days (00:03:09) Competencies in TEP Changes (00:04:28) Self-Dilation Program (00:06:13) Advocating to Administration (00:07:56) Head and Neck Cancer Community Group (00:09:26) Funding and Resources (00:12:21) Women's Retreat (00:13:06) Clinical Pathway and Rehabilitation (00:16:38) Feeding Tube Removal (00:19:32) Collaboration with Dietitian (00:20:11) Patient Observation (00:20:54) Transitional Care Program (00:21:44) Fluoro MS Suite (00:23:33) Becoming an X-Ray Tech (00:25:09) Supportive Team at USF (00:28:11) Human Element in Healthcare (00:30:43) The post 330 – Makeup Lessons, TEP Clinics, Self-Dilation Programs, and More: Innovative Services for the Head and Neck Cancer Population appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 27 May 2024

Ever face a clinical decision for a dysphagia patient where each option feels too risky? Or maybe you stick to the conservative side of decision-making. Better safe than sorry…. Until you learn that what you thought was safe is actually harmful. How are we supposed to know? What can actually guide us toward making better […] The post 329 – A New Kind of Journal for Med SLPs? Decisions, decisions… appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 20 May 2024

When life hands you lemons, make lemonade, right? For a lot of SLPs, it can be hard to do that. Maybe we think our job would crumble without us. Maybe we think we have no other choice but to just accept the sour situations life throws at us. If you’re feeling trapped in a particularly unsavory situation right now, let THIS episode serve as your inspiration and motivation to follow your passion and make the career pivot you’re meant to make. Melissa Grassia Chisholm, M.S. CCC-SLP, was working full-time in a hospital when her son was diagnosed with leukemia. With her world completely flipped upside-down, she made the decision to leave her job and build a virtual voice clinic instead so she could be with her son while pursuing her passion. Tune in to this week’s episode of the Swallow Your Pride Podcast to hear how Melissa did it, what her virtual clinic looks like, her goals to expand globally, and the EXACT moment she knew that leaving her hospital was the right move. If you or someone you know is searching for affordable and accessible voice therapy, you’re invited to check out Melissa’s virtual clinic at TheVoiceRehab.com. Use the promo code “swallowyourpride” to get 10% off the first month of her Voice Rehab Program! Episode Website: https://syppodcast.com/328 Listen to more episodes of the Swallow Your Pride Podcast TIMESTAMPS: Melissa's Career Background (00:01:05) Melissa's Vocal Health Struggles (00:06:14) Leadership Role at Cleveland Clinic (00:08:33) Transition to Private Practice (00:10:53) Balancing Family and Career (00:13:06) Blood Test Results and Hospital Visit (00:15:11) Leukemia Treatment Journey (00:19:07) Career Transition and Growth (00:20:04) Mentorship and Team Building (00:22:01) Addressing Healthcare Cuts and Virtual Clinic (00:25:42) Live Group Coaching (00:30:16) Affordable Teletherapy (00:31:23) Legal and Medicare Guidelines (00:32:55) Patient Support and Navigation (00:34:33) Care in Healthcare (00:36:39) Inspiring Passion and Support (00:38:45) Finding Melissa and Future Plans (00:40:27) The post 328 – The Ultimate Exit Plan: An SLP Who Left Her Facility to Start a Global Virtual Voice Clinic with Melissa Grassia Chisholm appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 13 May 2024

You can be a Med SLP outside the walls of the hospital. You can ALSO build your own schedule, set your own rates, and see who you WANT to see outside the walls of the hospital. How? Through private practice! Private practice isn’t *just* for pediatric therapists. In fact, there could be an argument that there’s an increasing DEMAND for medical SLP private practices. But what does that look like? How do you get started? Is it realistic for you? Get ready to dive into the world of private practice with Jena Castro-Casbon, a private practice coach and founder of Independent Clinician. She shares her journey and expertise in empowering SLPs to establish and expand successful private practices focused on THEIR zone of genius. Ready to hear how you can leverage your Med SLP expertise outside the hospital? Tune in to this week’s discussion and hear what Jena has to say about it! The post 327 – What Can Private Practice Look Like for Med SLPS? with Jena Castro-Casbon appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 6 May 2024

Have you ever considered jumping into the business side of speech pathology? While business classes aren’t a part of the SLP curriculum, they SHOULD be. As for now, one of the best ways to learn more about the business practices behind speech-language pathology is to hear from those are are actually doing it! Ebony Green, M.S., CCC-SLP, is here to help! Ebony is a Bilingual SLP with experience in school, home health, and private clinic settings. Today she shares her journey from education to entrepreneurship and the valuable lessons she learned along the way that will encourage you to explore entrepreneurship and navigate the business aspects of the profession. Ready to uncover the business side of being an SLP? Tune in to this week’s discussion and hear what Ebony has to share about it! Download the show notes here: https://syppodcast.com/326 The post 326 – Jumping into Business: Tips, Strategies, Suggestions, and More with Ebony Green MS, CCC-SLP appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 6 May 2024

Face transplants. Nope, that’s not just something you see on Grey’s Anatomy. It’s a real procedure and SLPs can support pre-operative evaluations, postoperative rehabilitation, and lifelong happiness for those who undergo this process. And in this week’s episode of the Swallow Your Pride Podcast, you’ll get to hear from two SLPs who have direct experience with serving this population! Join Meg Lico and Kaitlin Hanley, both SLPs at NYU Langone Health in New York City, as they share the challenges, triumphs, and profound impact of their collaboration with a surgical team as they navigate the complexities of their roles when serving those who receive a transformative face transplant. Gain insight into the passion and dedication driving Meg and Kaitlin’s work with craniofacial and facial transplant populations as they advocate for increased awareness and education. Start challenging the traditional perceptions of speech-language pathology and celebrate the multifaceted expertise of these dedicated professionals. Ready to learn how SLPs played a MAJOR role in a groundbreaking face transplant? Tune in to this week’s discussion and hear what Meg and Kaitlin have to share about it! Get the show notes for this episode here: https://syppodcast.com/325 Timestamps: The introduction (00:00:12) Introducing the speakers (00:01:10) Preparation for the case (00:02:56) Post-surgery updates (00:04:49) Collaboration and patient progress (00:08:21) Preoperative assessment and strategies (00:09:38) Inpatient care and progress (00:12:17) Utilizing research and strategies (00:15:29) Passive Stretching Therapy (00:18:02) Collaboration Challenges (00:18:56) Critical Thinking and Collaboration (00:19:37) Interdisciplinary Collaboration (00:20:25) Expertise and Collaboration (00:23:33) Patient Journey and Preparation (00:25:45) Specialty Populations (00:31:43) The lack of awareness about speech pathology (00:35:02) Challenges in explaining the profession (00:35:44) The limited understanding of speech pathology (00:36:12) The profound impact of speech pathology (00:37:33) The post 325 – Reconstructing Hope with Meg Lico and Kaitlin Hanley appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 22 April 2024

Theresa is BACK this week with the recording of the fourth and FINAL day of the Effective SLP workshop! This is where four brilliant SLPs and Medical SLP Collective mentors came together to discuss all-things productivity and share their tips and tools to help medical SLPs do more ON the clock WITHOUT sacrificing their time OFF the clock. This week, you’ll hear Laura McWilliam’s discussion from night four of The Effective SLP workshop. She shares a helpful leadership and teamwork method she calls the PARTNER method. Laura outlines how SLPs can apply the components of the PARTNER method to gain a seat at the productivity table and contribute to leadership discussions about workplace productivity standards. Laura even provided the outline of the PARTNER method inside the free Productivity Playbook that came with this workshop, which you can access along with the entire workshop at medslpcollective.com/effectiveslp Tune into this week’s episode and get motivated to make some changes at work to help you accomplish more WITHOUT sacrificing more. Get the shownotes for this episode here: https://syppodcast.com/324 Timestamps: The Partner Method (00:01:14) Leadership and Teamwork (00:02:00) Rethinking Workflow (00:04:31) Comprehensive Care (00:08:27) Data-Driven Change (00:12:39) Addressing Staffing Challenges (00:15:21) Balancing Clinical and Non-Clinical Responsibilities (00:17:33) The Partner Method (00:18:44) Understanding Leadership (00:19:59) Planning and Communication (00:20:54) Asking for Partnership (00:21:51) Responding to Changes (00:22:48) Time Efficiency (00:23:51) Engaging with Team and Leadership (00:24:47) Engaging in Data (00:25:51) Continuous Quality Improvement (00:26:57) Challenges in Leadership (00:29:02) Navigating the Healthcare Climate (00:36:04) Leveraging Patient Safety Programs (00:36:28) Empowering Clinicians for Quality Improvement (00:37:36) Productivity and Data Analytics (00:39:23) Work-Life Balance and Career Growth (00:44:25) The post 324 – You Can Automate That: Productivity and Efficiency Power Moves for MedSLPs appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 15 April 2024

In February, the MedSLP collective hosted a free four-day workshop to help medical SLPs accomplish more by doing less! This week, we’re sharing Day 3 of the workshop on the Swallow Your Pride Podcast! Who decided that burning out was a badge of honor? There’s a stigma across the board — that in order to succeed as an SLP, we have to push beyond our limit DAILY. Tune in today to catch Day 3 of the Effective SLP Workshop, where Kelly Caldwell, MA, MS, CCC-SLP, dives into real-world examples and applicable tools to help you work smarter, not harder. Dive into different working styles and learn how to cut your assessment documentation time in half with Kelly’s templates and calculators you can apply to your documentation! Interested in listening to the entire workshop? You can catch the entire workshop HERE: medslpcollective.com/effectiveslp Kelly's productivity tips (00:00:56) Questioning the status quo (00:02:04) Advocacy and productivity (00:05:00) EMR and documentation systems (00:07:58) Scheduling and administrative time (00:13:38) Productivity and documentation (00:16:40) Documentation and Standardized Tests (00:18:05) Use of Smart Phrases and Templates (00:19:18) Simplifying Documentation and Perspective Taking (00:20:57) Point of Service Documentation (00:22:42) Balancing Patient Attention and Documentation (00:23:29) Automating Documentation (00:26:38) Overcoming Documentation Challenges (00:29:33) Continuing Education and Documentation (00:32:08) Productivity Killers and Self-Care (00:35:04) Dealing with Personal Challenges (00:36:40) Documentation Timelines and Grace Periods (00:37:51) Understanding Payer Policies (00:38:53) Importance of Root Cause Analysis (00:41:18) Maximizing Workload Efficiency (00:43:00) Customizing Documentation Templates (00:46:06) Self-Care and Grace (00:49:15) Controlling Response to Chaos (00:51:10) Workshop Conclusion and Resources (00:53:15) The post 323 – Tips & Tools to Work Smarter, Not Harder appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 8 April 2024

Last month, the MedSLP Collective hosted a free four-day workshop to help medical SLPs accomplish more by doing less! This week, we’re going to share Day 2 of the workshop on the Swallow Your Pride podcast! Let’s face it, productivity can be a bit of a maze, with each facility and setting having its own unique calculations and expectations. But fear not, my friends, in today’s episode we’re breaking it all down. Tune in so you can hear Kristin Dolan, a seasoned speech pathologist with over two decades of experience under her belt, share her experiences and expertise. With a deep understanding of productivity from both the clinical and managerial perspectives, Kristin offers her wisdom on the inner workings of productivity in our field. Kristin and Theresa define the differences between productivity & efficiency, share 10 tips to improve your efficiency, and illustrate how you can map out your workdays with the help of a free productivity calculator. From deciphering productivity formulas to exploring strategies for efficiency and effectiveness, we’re on a mission to demystify the process and empower you to thrive in your role. Interested in listening to the entire workshop? You can catch the entire workshop HERE: medslpcollective.com/effectiveslp Timestamps: Understanding Productivity (00:00:00) Accessing Workshop Recordings (00:00:59) Highlighting Productivity Tips (00:02:15) Leadership and Teamwork Method (00:03:26) Discussion on Productivity (00:06:20) Understanding Productivity and Efficiency (00:09:32) Empowering Therapists (00:13:51) Value-Based Systems (00:19:51) Understanding Productivity Calculation (00:22:46) Efficiency in Patient Treatment (00:23:30) Adapting to Patient Needs (00:25:37) Challenging Productivity Expectations (00:29:21) Differentiating Managers and Leaders (00:31:43) Understanding RVUs in Productivity (00:34:22) Maximizing Efficiency with RVUs (00:38:35) Tools for Efficient Documentation (00:41:12) Balancing Efficiency and Quality in Documentation (00:43:35) The importance of taking time to review repetitive tasks (00:45:35) Improving department effectiveness (00:46:04) Utilizing downtime forms for concise documentation (00:47:27) Reducing decision fatigue and time management (00:49:39) Delegating tasks and setting priorities (00:50:02) Analyzing time usage and efficiency (00:54:48) Understanding productivity calculations and advocating for change (00:55:20) Managing non-billable but required activities (00:57:31) Efficiency tools and resources (01:00:07) MetaSLP Collective membership and support (01:03:14) The post 322 – Understanding & Calculating Productivity vs. Efficiency appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 3 April 2024

You’ve heard “qualified” SLP…. You’ve heard “seasoned” SLP… But what does it mean to be an “effective” SLP, particularly in the medical space?The truth is: as a medical SLP, you have more power over your productivity than you think.Speech-language pathologist, clinical mentor, and rehabilitation program development specialist, Lysa Johnson, returns to the Swallow Your Pride podcast to join Theresa in discussing a word not too many medical SLPs enjoy: productivity.The pair define, dissect, and discuss what productivity means and how to better control it (instead of letting IT control YOU). So, let’s figure out what productivity means for you, your facility, and maybe even the future of speech pathology.Remember, defining productivity isn’t just about numbers; it’s about setting the stage for change. Whether it’s redefining productivity or just finding better ways to measure success, let’s do it together, one conversation at a time. Get the show notes for this episode her: https://syppodcast.com/320 Timestamps The definition of productivity (00:03:30) Challenges with productivity (00:04:23) The impact of productivity in different settings (00:05:59) Understanding pure productivity (00:08:48) Nuances of productivity (00:16:29) Defining billable and non-billable time (00:21:15) The importance of patient screens (00:23:07) Understanding productivity and reimbursement meetings (00:24:36) Ethical billing practices and productivity (00:26:04) The necessity of therapy screens (00:27:54) Non-billable but required tasks (00:32:01) Unethical practices and fraudulent services (00:34:04) Role of speech pathologists in skilled nursing facilities (00:40:56) Compliance with labor laws and ethical practices (00:43:11) Understanding the rules and regulations (00:46:36) Challenges in justifying non-billable time (00:50:12) The importance of starting somewhere (00:50:21) Ethical concerns and resources (00:51:27) Seeking support and resources (00:52:20) Interview questions and facility assessment (00:55:46) Advocating for change and future generations (00:56:54) New CPT codes for family and caregiver training (00:57:57) Membership and support for speech-language pathologists (01:00:59) Accommodations and onboarding for learning differences (01:07:31) Continuing education and resources (01:08:39) The post 321 – The Effective SLP: Productivity & Streamlining Success appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 25 March 2024

Wondering how to start a medical career with your SLP graduate degree? Get ready for an episode packed with wisdom and inspiration as Theresa sits down with Chanelle Tignor, M.S., CCC-SLP, discussing her journey from graduate school to her medical career. Theresa and Chanelle walk you through the importance of exploring different settings, diving into resources beyond the classroom (helllooo internet!), and remaining curious to learn from your patients and research. You’ll also get to hear about Chanelle’s future goals and how she aims to own her own practice and mentor the next generation of SLPs. Timestamps: Getting into Graduate School (00:02:26) Exploring Different Settings (00:01:16) Importance of Open-mindedness (00:07:15) Research and Observation (00:09:45) On-the-Job Learning (00:12:09) The networking journey (17:58) Importance of networking (19:08) Challenges in graduate school (24:42) Self-study and preceptorship (29:23) Passion for the profession (32:04) Finding Passion and Drive (00:34:10) Career Aspirations (00:35:29) Gap in Early Intervention (00:38:25) Standing Out in the Medical Field (00:40:49) Continuous Learning and Growth (00:46:50) The post 320 – Becoming A Medical SLP with Chanelle Tignor appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 18 March 2024

Adding, subtracting, dividing...we interact with math and numbers on a daily basis.It's more than just algebra skills. Even understanding which price is higher or lower than others is a part of our numeric duties. And SLPs have an important role in helping those with stroke or head injury improve their calculation skills.Which is why I'm SO excited to have Brett McCardel, PhD, SLP on today’s episode of the Swallow Your Pride Podcast!We’re diving deep into a topic that’s often overlooked in clinical discourse…Acalculia.In this episode, we discuss: The historical context of acalculia Acalculia’s context & classification Assessment tools & treatments for acalculia The complex nuances and implications for daily functioning with acalculia The intersection of neuroscience, clinical practice, & patient-centered care Tune in today! Get the show notes for this episode here! https://syppodcast.com/319 Timestamps: Aphasia Rehabilitation Approach (00:03:07) Neuroanatomy and Functional Mechanism (00:04:55) Introduction to Acalculia (00:06:42) Symptoms and Numerical Format (00:08:19) Interest in Acalculia (00:10:23) Impact on Quality of Life (00:11:44) Relationship Between Math and Language (00:14:56) History and Classification of Acalculia (00:19:12) The classifications of acalculia (00:23:20) The impact of acalculia on quality of life (00:26:01) Assessment objectives for acalculia (00:28:17) Patient experience with acalculia (00:29:23) Models for conceptualizing acalculia (00:27:03) Treatment approaches for acalculia (00:38:02) Conclusion and call to action (00:43:18) The post 319 – Moving From Words to Numbers: What SLPs Should Know About Acalculia appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 11 March 2024

Oral care has taken on a life of its own in the SLP world, and with good reason! We now know more than ever the importance of good oral hygiene and its impact on health - especially for people with dysphagia.But what can you actually do to move the needle in your facility so patient oral care is a higher priority? Particularly when it comes to preventing non-ventilator hospital-acquired pneumonia (NVHAP).Dr. Erin McCarthy is here to talk all about that in this week’s episode of the Swallow Your Pride Podcast! Dr. McCarthy, with over 26 years of experience as an SLP specializing in swallowing disorders, shares her journey from working in acute inpatient settings to establishing her own private practice and spearheading initiatives to improve patient care outcomes. She opens up and shares her project on oral care, highlighting the alarming trend of inadequate oral hygiene among hospitalized patients and the subsequent development of NVHAP.Ready to learn about oral health initiatives and spark a healthy change in your facility?Tune in to this week’s discussion to hear what Dr. McCarthy has to say about it! Get the show notes for this episode here : https://syppodcast.com/318 The post 318 – The SLP’s Role in Oral Health Initiatives: Something to Flap Your Gums About appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 4 March 2024

Have you ever worked with a patient with swallowing difficulties post anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) surgery? Or maybe you've noticed surgeons don't even acknowledge the implications ACDF surgery can have on swallowing….. Medical SLP and NYU doctoral student in the Swallow Research Lab, Brynn Jones-Restelli, opens up the conversation to this tricky population on this week's episode of the Swallow Your Pride Podcast!Brynn walks us through a general overview of ACDF surgery, its nutritional implications, what we can expect to see as "normal abnormalities" post-ACDF surgery, and how to optimize post-surgical outcomes. You'll also get to hear about her current research and how she aims to characterize changes in swallowing associated with spinal disease and following spinal surgery.Ready to learn the ABCs of ACDF surgery and dysphagia? Tune in to this week’s discussion and see what Brynn has to share about it! Get the show notes for this episode here : https://syppodcast.com/317 The post 317 – The ABCs of ACDF Surgery and Dysphagia appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 26 February 2024