So a patient walks into a fluoroscopy suite, points to their throat, and says “I have trouble swallowing.”

You do the VFSS, and their oropharynx looks…okay! Maybe even within normal limits!

Now what?

*The esophagus has entered the chat*

In this podcast episode, Theresa Richard interviews Dr. Watts, a speech-language pathologist, researcher, and clinician scientist at the University of South Florida known for her work with esophageal dysphagia. 

Get the show notes: https://syppodcast.com/293

The passion for esophageal dysphagia [00:02:19]
The development of the REST protocol [00:03:30]
Future research and expansion of the REST protocol [00:06:06]
The nature of modified barium swallow [00:10:17]
Screening protocol and next steps [00:11:23]
Importance of multidisciplinary team [00:13:58]
The implementation of esophageal dysphagia education [00:19:58]
The prevalence of esophageal dysphagia and the need for further investigation [00:20:59]
The importance of counseling and referrals in dysphagia management [00:23:06]
The Art and Science of Fluoroscopy [00:29:04]
Standardized Protocol for Reporting Results [00:30:18]
Describing Aberrant Movement and Reporting Failed Screening [00:31:19]

293 – The Esophagus Has Entered the Chat: Understanding and Addressing Esophageal Dysphagia with Dr. Watts

The Swallow Your Pride Podcast was created with the purpose of diving deeper into the issues that speech-language pathologists face when working with patients with swallowing disorders. We’ll discuss many controversial topics in order to provide the LATEST evidence-based treatment strategies, and create a community of dysphagia clinicians who want to consume incredibly valuable insight and information.   Our goal is to allow you to #swallowyourpride, and be open and willing to try the latest in evidence based treatment approaches by learning from experts and researchers in our field in order to create the best outcomes for our patients who need it most.   The Swallow Your Pride Podcast is hosted by Theresa Richard, M.A., CCC-SLP, BCS-S, a Board Certified Specialist in Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders.

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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)

328 – The Ultimate Exit Plan:  An SLP Who Left Her Facility to Start a Global Virtual Voice Clinic with Melissa Grassia Chisholm

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!

327 – What Can Private Practice Look Like for Med SLPS? with Jena Castro-Casbon

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

326 – Jumping into Business: Tips, Strategies, Suggestions, and More with Ebony Green MS, CCC-SLP

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)

293 – The Esophagus Has Entered the Chat: Understanding and Addressing Esophageal Dysphagia with Dr. Watts

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