*****Originally Aired April 2024****

Guest: John Ashford, PhD, CCC-SLP

Earn 0.1 ASHA CEU for this episode with Speech Therapy PD: https://www.speechtherapypd.com/courses/a-closer-look-at-laryngeal-aspirationits-more-than-what-you-

In this week's rewind episode of the Brainstorms Functional Neurorehab for SLPs podcast, hosted by Renee Garrett, we take a deep dive into the topic of aspiration pneumonia with Dr. John Ashford. The discussion covers the medical definitions of aspiration and aspiration pneumonia, the misconceptions that surround these conditions, and the critical role of oral care in preventing pneumonia. Dr. Ashford also explains the complex interplay between the biomechanical processes of swallowing, the immune system, and bacterial infections. Tune in for expert insights and practical advice for speech-language pathologists and healthcare providers on managing dysphagia and reducing the risk of aspiration pneumonia.

About the guest:

John R. Ashford, PhD, CCC-SLP, is Education Director and co-owner of SA Swallowing Services, Nashville, Tennessee, USA. He is a Navy Veteran, a retired Medical Speech-Language Pathologist for the Department of Veterans Affairs, and previously served as a tenured Associate Professor at Tennessee State University, adjunct Assistant Clinical Professor at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, and guest professor at Dar Al-Hekma University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. He has been published and a member of ASHA for 58 years. Professional interests include understanding factors associated with pneumonia development in patients with dysphagia, and educating and training providers of FEES services.