In episode 241 of SYP, I have the privilege of talking with Rebecca Altounian, the CEO and Founder of SWIK™ Oral Suction System, a novel device to manage oral secretions in the mouth.

241 – Managing Secretions with SWIK: The Oral Suction System with Rebecca Altounain

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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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 […]

329 – A New Kind of Journal for Med SLPs? Decisions, decisions…

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

241 – Managing Secretions with SWIK: The Oral Suction System with Rebecca Altounain

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