MedSLP Collective Learning Lab (Rec)
🗓️ Course Available December 8th, 2025 – December 8, 2030
After this course, you will be able to…
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Analyze various clinical tools demonstrated in order to determine their appropriate use in diverse medical speech-language pathology settings.
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Develop advocacy strategies to promote the integration of effective tools across medical, outpatient, and community-based settings.
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Evaluate the selection and implementation of specific tools by applying principles of evidence-based practice and articulating their value to stakeholders and administrators.
Disclosure Statement:
The MedSLP Collective thanks our sponsors Hallie Bulkin, The Independent Clinician, SLP CEO Solutions, and Nourishing Connections LLC. Sponsors are not responsible for the content of this course nor does the MedSLP Collective endorse their products or services.
The following tools/products will be discussed or demonstrated during this course: Progia Medical Swallow Therapy System (STS) and Tactus Therapy Virtual Rehab Center (VCR). These examples are provided for educational purposes only. The MedSLP Collective does not endorse or promote any specific tools/products and their inclusion in this presentation is solely to support learning objectives.
COURSE CONTENT
LIVE AGENDA:
Day 1:
0-60 minutes: Power in Practice: A Hands-On Training in Respiratory Muscle Strength Training (Christine Sapienza,PhD, CCC-SLP)60-120 minutes: Optimizing Tongue Endurance, Strength and Stability: STS Device-Assisted Strategies for Improved Swallowing Outcomes (George Barnes,M.S.,CCC-SLP,BCS-S and Ross Dunbar)
120-180 minutes: Training and Targeting Attention, Awareness, and Working Memory Skills from Concrete Tasks to Real-World Applications (Michelle Hoefnagel,M.S., CCC-SLP; BC-ANCDS)180-240 minutes: Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) in Feeding Therapy: Practical Strategies for Communication, Regulation, and Mealtime Participation (Erin Forward,MSP,CCC-SLP,CLC)
240-300 minutes: A Comprehensive Approach to Adult Neuro Treatment and Carryover: The Virtual Rehab Center (Allyson Kranz,MHS,CCC-SLP)
300-360 minutes: Low Cost Doesn’t Mean Low Quality: Resourceful Voice Rehab (Ashley Michaelis,M.S.,CCC-SLP)
360-420 minutes: Enhancing Dysphagia Therapy Outcomes Through SurfaceElectromyographic (sEMG) Biofeedback (Lori Morgan, PhD, CCC-SLP)
420-480 minutes:Bridging The Gap: Feeding Challenges and Solutions in Infants with Cleft Palate (Kara Larson, M.S.,CCC-SLP)
Part 2: Advocacy in Action: How to Obtain the Tools Needed (Kelly Caldwell and Lysa Johnson,MAS,CCC-SLP)480-520 minutes:Exploring Therapy Materials, Equipment, Funding, and Self-Advocacy520-600 minutes:Implementing Therapy Materials in Clinical Practice600-660 minutes:Realities of Therapy Budgets660-720 minutes: Advocating for Materials & Making it Work
SPEAKER INFORMATION & DISCLOSURES
Lysa Johnson, MAS,CCC-SLP
With 25+ years of experience in adult and active aging services, Lysa blends clinical expertise with creative solutions in rehab, cognitive care, interdisciplinary leadership and team training. She’s a certified Speech Language Pathologist, Dementia Capable Care Trainer, PAC Educator, SLP Mentor — and a seven-time ASHA ACE award winner. She currently works with Benedictine as the Program Development Specialist focusing on collaborative solutions in senior services. When she’s not leading outcomes-driven care, you’ll find her coaching youth curling—or just enjoying a strong cup of coffee!
Financial Disclosures:
- honorarium from Medical SLP Collective; salary from Benedictine
Non-financial Disclosures:
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Leading Age, Dementia Action Alliance, Faith Community Nurse Network, MAGIC, ECHO, TCSLP
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Michelle Hoefnagel,M.S., CCC-SLP; BC-ANCDS
Michelle Hoefnagel has over 17 years of clinical expertise as a speech language pathologist. She works at the UF Health Jacksonville Leon L. Haley Jr., M.D., Brain Wellness Program in Florida where she collaborates with an extensive interdisciplinary team in evaluating and treating military veterans and first responders who have experienced a mild-moderate traumatic brain injury. This program is one of 6 academic sites nationwide participating as a part of the Avalon Action Alliance. She is honored to provide care within her role to give back to this incredible population to improve their cognitive-communication and quality of life. She completed her Bachelors of Science degree in Theoretical Linguistics with a Minor in French giving her a unique and skilled perspective on language. She then went on to receive her Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology at the University of Utah. Michelle has extensive experience across the continuum of healthcare providing skilled services to people with various difficulties including swallow, voice, speech, language, pragmatics, communication, and cognition. She has been a primary investigator in research in collaboration with Georgia Tech. She spent five years as a member of a multidisciplinary head and neck cancer team at the Wilmot Cancer Center in Rochester, NY. She is pleased to have earned her ANCDS Board Certification in 2024.
Financial Disclosures:
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UFHealth Jacksonville – Salary; Medical SLP Collective – Honoraria
Non-financial Disclosures:
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Academy of Neurologic Communication Disorders and Sciences – Member
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Christine Sapienza,PhD, CCC-SLP
Dr. Christine Sapienza is a leading clinician-scientist, educator, and innovator in speech-language pathology and rehabilitation science. With over 25 years of experience, she is internationally recognized for her pioneering research in respiratory muscle strength training (RMST) and its application to voice, speech, and swallowing disorders. Dr. Sapienza has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications, textbooks, and clinical protocols that have shaped evidence-based practice. As a mentor and academic leader, she is dedicated to advancing interdisciplinary collaboration and translating scientific discovery into practical therapeutic outcomes that improve patient quality of life across neurological and respiratory conditions.
Financial Disclosures:
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Royalties from Plural Publishing for books I have authored, speaker honorariums for webinars I provide
Non-financial Disclosures:
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none
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George Barnes,M.S.,CCC-SLP,BCS-S
George Barnes, MS, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, is a board-certified specialist in swallowing and swallowing disorders. He brings dysphagia knowledge to those who need it,helping to change lives.
George is passionate about making education useful and providing accessible,quality care. With a deep appreciation for the joy and connection that food brings to our lives, he has dedicated his life to helping others experience this simple yet deeply rooted pleasure.
Financial disclosures:
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Paid by Progia Medical as their Chief Dysphagia Officer, paid mentor for MedSLP Collective
Non-financial disclosures:
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None
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Ross Dunbar
Ross is a global, multi-disciplined leader for over 30 years. With experience in the medical device, biopharmaceutical, and stem cell, and various industrial segments. Including COO and Vice President of Operations roles with several start-ups as well as various managerial positions at Boston Scientific; Guidant, Advanced Technology Materials, Inc., Arctic Cat/ Textron, Honeywell Electronic Materials, Additional fractional roles at start ups.and Andersen Consulting. Ross is also a business advisor for several early-stage startups and has M & A experience. Ross earned a bachelor’s degree in Management from Luther College, a Mini MBA in Industrial Engineering at St. Thomas University and an Executive Supply Chain Management certification from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. Ross has been certified in Lean Six Sigma, GMP/ISO and ProjectManagement methodology.
Financial disclosures:
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None
Non-financial disclosures:
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None
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Kara Larson:
Financial disclosures:
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Honoraria from MedSLP Collective
Non-financial disclosures:
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None
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Lori Morgan, PhD, CCC-SLP
Dr. Burkhead Morgan earned a PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences from University of Florida in 2005, focusing on applying exercise science principles to communication and swallowing rehabilitation. During 30 years of clinical and academic endeavors, she has developed an expertise in evaluation & treatment of medically-complex patients. Dr. Burkhead Morgan is a published author and sought-after speaker on the topic of dysphagia, medically-based speech pathology and exercise science relating to dysphagia. She is currently Faculty in the Department of Neurology at the Medical College of GA at Augusta University and also part-time faculty at Augusta University, Speech Pathology Department.
Financial Disclosures:
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Speaking fee, educator for MedSLP Education
Non-financial Disclosures:
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none
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Allyson Kranz,MHS,CCC-SLP
Allyson Kranz, MHS, CCC-SLP, is a certified speech-language pathologist in Missouri and California with over 15 years of experience across clinical, academic, and non-clinical settings. Since earning her Master of Health Sciences degree in 2007, she has worked with patients across the lifespan through telepractice, inpatient rehabilitation, and outpatient programs specializing in brain injury and stroke recovery.
She has also served as a clinical supervisor and adjunct instructor, mentoring graduate students and teaching both online and in-person courses. In addition to her clinical background, she has experience in the speech therapy technology space. She has been working with Tactus Therapy for over a year, focusing on sales, customer success, and marketing.
She is passionate about innovative technology that empowers clinicians to enhance their practice while improving patient outcomes.
Financial Disclosures:
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I am receiving an Honorarium for Medical SLP Collective. I work as a contractor for Tactus Therapy.
Non-financial Disclosures:
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none
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Ashley Michaelis,M.S.,CCC-SLP
Ashley began her undergraduate degree in Voice Performance & Music Education at Case Western Reserve University and the Cleveland Institute of Music. She encountered her own voice difficulties during her studies and found the field of Speech-Language Pathology as a result. She decided that she wanted to help others rehabilitate their own voices and switched majors. She then completed her graduate degree at the University of Wyoming. She has worked in private practice, schools, outpatient rehabilitation, inpatient rehabilitation, acute care, and various multidisciplinary clinics. She also has taught the Voice Disorders graduate level class at the University of Vermont and was previously a Mentor for the MedSLP Collective. Her specialty areas are singing voice rehabilitation, voice disorders, swallowing disorders, upper airway disorders, and neurogenic communication disorders. She is a multiple time ASHA Ace Award Recipient. In her free time, Ashley loves to spend time with her family and dogs, as well as perform with local community theaters.
Financial Disclosures:
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Medical SLP Collective – Honoraria; Empowered Voice Rehabilitation – Owner
Non-financial Disclosures:
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MSLP Certification Exam Development Committee; ASHA Member; ASHA SIG 3 (Voice) Affiliate; The Voice Foundation Professional Member; Member of Jax Therapy & Wellness Collective; Member of Jax Gender-Affirming Healthcare Collaborative
ADDITIONAL FAQS
Can I get ASHA CEUS for this Course?
To successfully complete this course, participants must submit a reflective statement (150-250 words in length) within 14 days of taking the course addressing the following: Identify one key concept, technique, or insight you learned during the course and describe how you plan to apply this learning in your clinical practice.
What is the Refund/Cancellation Policy?
Click here to view our policy: https://medslpcollective.com/cancellation-of-courses-and-events/
What can I do if I have a complaint?
Please contact us at info@medslpcollective.com
Who is this webinar appropriate for?
The target audience for this content is licensed speech-language pathologists. There are no prerequisite skills or knowledge needed beyond the basic speech-language pathology training and licensing.
What if I need special accommodations?
If you require accommodations to access these materials due to a disability, please email us at info@medslpcollective.com