Speech Symposium
Course Description
The Clinical Swallow Exam Reconsidered
This session reframes the clinical swallow examination (CSE) as a diagnostic reasoning process. Participants will review the evidence base for individual exam components, differentiate screening from comprehensive evaluation, and practice generating hypotheses about swallowing physiology from components of a comprehensive CSE. Emphasis is placed on the inferential limits of bedside data and on establishing defensible thresholds for instrumental referral, with case applications across also presented.
Navigating the Complex Path of Head and Neck Cancer Care
Patients with head and neck cancer have a complex journey which often requires multiple oncologic interventions over a protracted treatment period. Dysphagia is a common condition prior to, during, and following treatment, making the speech-language pathologist a core member of the treatment team. In this half day seminar, we will review care pathways that can be implemented along the care continuum to optimize patient outcomes. Participants will be provided with practical, evidence-based recommendations for timing of assessments and interventions that can be implemented into their clinical practice. The challenges and benefits of multi-disciplinary care will be highlighted and case examples will be integrated throughout the presentation.
Course Learning Objectives
The Clinical Swallow Exam Reconsidered
- Discuss how care pathways can optimize SLP care along the complex treatment continuum.
- Describe the diagnostic purpose and psychometric limitations of the clinical swallow examination (CSE) relative to instrumental assessment.
- Differentiate dysphagia screening from a comprehensive CSE with respect to intent, personnel, and interpretation.
- Identify components of the CSE supported by evidence versus those with limited or absent supporting data.
- Apply CSE findings to generate testable hypotheses about swallowing physiology.
Navigating the Complex Path of Head and Neck Cancer Care
- Integrate care pathways into their clinical practice to improve swallowing outcomes in patients with head and neck cancer.
- Describe specific interventions that can improve swallowing outcomes in patients diagnosed with head and neck cancer.
Registration Information
| Attendee Type | price |
|---|---|
| Early Registration (On or Before 2/12/27) | $175.00 |
| Late Registration (After 2/12/27) | $200.00 |
| Student | $90.00 |
Refund and cancellation policy: Barrow reserves the right to cancel or change any program for due causes. Cancellation of this program by Barrow or by the participant prior to the start of the conference will result in a full refund of tuition.
CME Information and Disclosures
This course is offered for 0.75 ASHA CEUs (Intermediate Level, Professional Area). Full Attendance is required. Partial Credit is not offered.
To Receive ASHA Credit
- Satisfactory completion of this course includes full participation/attendance as well as completion of the post course evaluation. The post course evaluation with provision of your ASHA number must be completed in order to receive your CEU’s. Following the closing of the course you will receive the evaluation via the email you used to register.
In-Person and Virtual
Saturday, February 27, 2027
7:00 AM – 5:00 PM MST
Date, Time, and Location
In Person and Virtual
Saturday, February 27, 2027
7:55 AM – 5:00 PM MST
Goldman Auditorium
Barrow Neurological Institute
2910 North 3rd Ave
Phoenix, Arizona 85013
Target Audience
This program is designed for speech-language pathologists.
Agenda
All times refer to Arizona time (Pacific Daylight Time).
| Agenda | Topic |
|---|---|
| Saturday, February 27, 2027 – Registration for In-person Attendees | 7:00 AM |
| General Conference Information and Introductions | 7:55 AM |
| Framing the CSE | 8:00 AM |
| Screening vs Assessment | 8:15 AM |
| CSE Components | 8:30 AM |
| Break | 10:30 AM |
| Clinical Decision Making | 10:45 AM |
| Case Applications | 11:05 AM |
| Summary and Q&A | 12:00 PM |
| Lunch Break (lunch provided to in-person attendees) | 12:15 PM |
| Introduction to Head and Neck Cancer and Related Dysphagia | 1:15 PM |
| Introduction to Care Pathways and How They Optimize Care | 1:45 PM |
| Management of Patients Undergoing Surgical Intervention | 2:15 PM |
| Break | 3:15 PM |
| Management of Patients Undergoing Non-Surgical Intervention | 3:30 PM |
| Case Study | 4:30 PM |
| Q&A | 4:45 PM |
| Adjourn | 5:00 PM |
Guest Faculty
Kendrea Garand, PhD, CScD, CCC-SLP, BCS-S
Heather Starmer, PhD, CCC-SLP, BCS-S
Disclosure Information
It is the policy of St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center (SJHMC) to ensure balance, independence, objectivity, and scientific rigor in all its sponsored educational programs. Selection of presenters and content development may not be influenced by nonfinancial or financial interests. To that end, SJHMC shall identify and resolve conflicts of interest by requiring everyone who is in a position to control the content of the educational activity to disclose all relevant nonfinancial and financial relationships with commercial supporters.
Kendrea Garand PhD, CScD, CCC-SLP, BCS-S
- Financial Disclosure: I have been compensated for this talk by the Barrow Neurological Institute. I receive a salary from University of Pittsburgh.
- Non-Financial Disclosure: None
Heather Starmer, PhD CCC-SLP, BCS-S
- Financial Disclosure: I have been compensated for this talk by the Barrow Neurological Institute.
- Non-Financial Disclosure: Non-financial disclosures are board/committee positions listed above.