Happy New Year! The American Board of Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders (AB-SSD) is proud to reflect on a productive and impactful 2025! Our mission continues to seek how to improve our service to consumers, qualified applicants, and existing affiliates. Building on 2024’s reflective work, 2025 was a year of action and implementation for the board. We translated our insights about AB-SSD's rich legacy and foundation into concrete initiatives and forward progress. Just as many of you revisit and refine your personal goals each year, the AB-SSD has renewed our committee objectives, focusing on meaningful advancement in our field. Therefore, it is my esteemed pleasure on behalf of the AB-SSD Board of Directors to provide a summary of all we accomplished in 2025.

In 2025, we welcomed 21 new certified swallowing specialists to our affiliate base, now totaling over 410 speech language pathologists! We had a booth at both the Dysphagia Research Society (DRS) and ASHA annual conventions – a big thanks to our affiliates that also helped with this! Further, after a several year hiatus, we held an in-person social networking event at the 2025 ASHA convention. Because of its huge success, we plan to such an event return in 2026 so please stay tuned! Also, our Affiliate Survey went out in 2025, and we are busy reviewing all of the findings. Once our review is completed, we will share these results with you, along with any action items that will result from such findings. We appreciate you taking the time to complete the survey, as your feedback influences the decisions we make in how to best serve you! 

The AB-SSD has a well-established, systematic, and rigorous process for application review. Our website provides a step-by-step pathway to certification. At the end of 2025, we were ecstatic to release a new track under our renewal certification process – the Leadership and Industry Renewal Track. This is to recognize current BCS-S holders that have transition to leadership and/or industry roles. Additional information, including requirements for this track’s renewal option, are available on our website.

Our Test Committee continued to analyze test questions for fairness and clarity on a yearly basis. In 2025, the Test Committee continued to revise current test questions to ensure the rigor of content in order to maintain the high standards of the AB-SSD examination. Further, responses from the Affiliate Survey will be used to help direct future revisions to test questions.

As part of our mission, we continue to commit to offering advanced level continuing education on feeding and swallowing disorders across the lifespan, to serve SLP’s with and without specialty certification. We have developed a variety of low- or no cost educational opportunities, recognizing the importance of high-quality dysphagia CE for clinicians in all settings. CE courses (CE Courses) offered on the website range in cost from $19-$50 per course dependent on the number of CE hours credited. Participation in our CE program is greatly appreciated and supports future course development. These advanced hours help support current affiliates’ renewal CEU requirements. We also encourage you to spread the word to those non-affiliates who are seeking advanced on-line continuing education options.

In 2025, the Continuing Education Committee released three new courses, including "Holistic Dysphagia Management for People with Head and Neck Cancer" by Jan Pryor, PhD, CCC-SLP, BCS-S and Tanya Meyer, MD, “Ankyloglossia and Breastfeeding” presented by Nikki Mills, BHB, MBChB, FRACS, PhD (formerly IBCLC), and “Striving to Provide Equitable Dysphagia Care in an Inequitable World” by Ina Roy Faderman, MD, PhD, Raquel Garcia, SLPD, CCC-SLP, CLC, CNT, BCS-S, and Raele Donetha Loy, PhD, CCC-SLP. We also once again held a highly successful summer series that involved both pediatric and adult tracks. We ended the summer with another series just in time for back to school – Teaching the Next Generation of Dysphagia Clinicians. Don’t forget that our courses can be easily accessed on our AB-SSD website. We also continued our partnership with Bracco Diagnostics to provide free CEUs for the Swallow Symposium (formerly Meet the Masters) CE program held at the 2025 American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Annual Convention, which this year was titled, The Swallow Symposium: Discover the Future of Dysphagia Research & Treatment. Please visit our website to see the current and FREE CE offerings within the Bracco Diagnostic’s formerly called the Meet the Masters (MTM) CE program (MTM CE Courses).

In 2026, we will be once again offering our popular summer series that includes both adult and pediatric tracks. And we will also cherish another opportunity to partner with Bracco Diagnostics for their Swallow Symposium CE event at the 2026 ASHA Annual Convention.

Our mentors are affiliates who generously volunteer their time to guide prospective applicants through the process of grooming toward application. This past year, the Mentorship Committee continued to assess the mentor training to improve the current process and worked to identify additional opportunities to improve transparency in certification requirements. It is our mission that all qualified speech pathologists can visualize and follow the required steps to becoming a certified swallowing specialist.

We want to also give special recognition to our Public Relations and Communications Committee (PRCC) for their outstanding work. This creative and dedicated team keeps our social media channels active and engaging with timely updates and event information around the clock. The committee published 5 Easy to Digest (E2D) news briefs, which are sent out via email when published and can be accessed via our website (E2D Archives). They stay very active on social media advertising our CEUs, the 2025 Swallow Symposium at ASHA, supporting other organizational efforts (NFOSD, DRS), and over a dozen awareness months and days (did you know that October 6th is World Cerebral Palsy Day?) – they had well over 100 posts in 2025! They were especially active on social media in June for our national Dysphagia Awareness Month. The PRCC also enjoys sharing all the wonderful accomplishments of BCS-S affiliates, including congratulating new affiliates and new board members. The PRCC continues to inspire others to obtain their board certification by encouraging new affiliates to share their own pathways to board certification. Last year, we heard from Dr. Mallory Moore, SLPD, CCC-SLP, CLT-LANA, BCS-S in our January 2025 E2D. We also shared a story from Dr. Anais Villaluna, SLPD, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, CLC on her perspective of the value of the BCS-S in our June E2D in 2025. Last year, the Chair’s Letter highlighted all of the amazing work on our new website, and we are excited to share improvements still continue, including our revised 3-5 plan to help you become board certified. Make sure to follow and tag us on social media platforms to let us know what you are up to! We appreciate all your "likes" and shares to spread the word about AB-SSD!

I want to highlight three noteworthy initiatives that will continue to drive our program development in 2026.

• Revised Operational Manual: Our operational manual was last revised in 2014. In 2025, we began the arduous process of revising the manual line-by-line (all 84 pages!). This ensures that we continue to protect the value of the BCS-S credential and supports our mission in advancing specialized practice in dysphagia care. This will be completed in 2026.
• New Application Software Application Initiative: After careful review of different companies and their applications in 2025, AB-SSD will be securing a new application platform to promote feasibility of the new and renewal application process for both the applicant and reviewers. As such, the 2026 budget has included this cost for this purchase.
• Awards Initiative: In prior years, awards were offered during the annual ASHA convention in a collaboration with the ASHA Topic Committees for adult and pediatric swallowing topics. Our collaboration ceased in 2024, so we will be forming a new committee to continue honoring the great clinical and research efforts towards improving the lives of those with feeding and swallowing disorders.

With each new year comes the bittersweet joy of welcoming fresh voices to the board while honoring those who have completed their terms of service. We're thrilled to introduce our newest board members—Dr. Kahla Graham and Melissa Farrow—who joined us January 1, 2026, alongside Karen Sheffler (Public Relations & Communications Chair), returning for her second term. Our heartfelt thanks go to Jaime Malandraki (former Vice Chair) and Dr. Heather Starmer for their dedicated service through December 2025.

Additionally, we have several exciting leadership transitions: Dr. Erin Reedy has stepped into the role of Vice Chair, Marta Kazandjian now serves as Secretary, Dr. Jordan Hazelwood chairs the Application Committee, and Dr. Reedy also leads the Test Committee.

Lastly, for those seeking a volunteer opportunity with the AB-SSD, our committees provide excellent avenues to contribute your expertise and engage with colleagues in meaningful work.

On behalf of the AB-SSD Board of Directors, we look forward to another year of collaboration as we work together to achieve our goals and continue serving you as valued members of our organization. May 2026 be a year of continued growth and innovation as we advance the care of individuals with feeding and swallowing disorders across the lifespan.

Kendrea L. (Focht) Garand, PhD, CScD, CCC-SLP, BCS-S
AB-SSD Chair, 2024-2026

Dear AB-SSD Affiliates, 

Happy New Year! The American Board of Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders (AB-SSD) has enjoyed a prolific and pioneering year in 2024! Our mission continues to seek how to improve our service to consumers, qualified applicants, and existing affiliates. This year was once again of introspection for the board, stepping back to examine the rich legacy and foundation upon which the AB-SSD was built. It is a time-honored tradition for many of you to practice your own annual introspection and establish new year’s resolutions for self-improvement. The AB-SSD has a similar ritual, creating goals to be targeted by each of our committees throughout the year. It is my esteemed pleasure on behalf of the AB-SSD Board of Directors to provide a summary of all we accomplished in 2024.

In 2024, we welcomed 20 new certified swallowing specialists to our affiliate base, now totaling over 400 speech language pathologists! The AB-SSD has a well-established systematic and rigorous process for application review. We invite you to visit and share our new website page, Application Process, which provides a step-by-step pathway to certification. 

Further, our Test Committee analyzes test questions for fairness and clarity on a yearly basis. In 2024, the Test Committee revised current test questions to ensure the rigor of content in order to maintain the high standards of the AB-SSD examination.

As part of our mission, we continue to commit to offering advanced level continuing education on swallowing and swallowing disorders across the lifespan, to serve SLP’s with and without specialty certification. We have developed low- or no cost educational opportunities, recognizing the importance of high-quality dysphagia CE for clinicians in all settings, regardless of budget or benefits. CE courses (CE Courses) offered on the website range in cost from $19-$50 per course dependent on the number of CE hours credited. Participation in our CE program is greatly appreciated and supports future course development. These advanced hours help support current affiliates’ renewal CEU requirements. We also encourage you to spread the word to those non-affiliates who are seeking advanced on-line continuing education options.

In 2024, the Continuing Education Committee held a highly successful summer series that involved both pediatric and adult tracks, which are available on the AB-SSD website. Additionally, we anticipate the release of two new courses in January 2025.  Our adult course, "Holistic Dysphagia Management for People with Head and Neck Cancer" will be presented by Jan Pryor, PhD CCC-SLP, BCS-S and Tanya Meyer, MD. Our pediatric course entitled, “Evidence-Based Practice in Assessment and Management of Oral Anatomy in Infants: Debunking Myths Related to Tongue, Lip and Buccal Frenula” will be presented by Nikki Mills, MD IBCLC. All courses can be accessed can be accessed on the AB-SSD website. 

We continued our partnership with Bracco Diagnostics to provide free CEUs for the Swallow Symposium (formerly Meet the Masters) CE program held at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Annual Convention, which this year was titled, The Swallow Symposium: Advocating and Innovating. Please visit our website to see the current and FREE CE offerings within the Bracco Diagnostic’s formerly called the Meet the Masters (MTM) CE program (MTM CE Courses). 

In 2025, we are targeting two more CE courses to be developed for the AB-SSD CE program, one on pediatrics and one on adults, as well as our popular summer series. And we cherish the opportunity to partner once again with Bracco Diagnostics for Swallow Symposium CE event at ASHA Annual Convention 2025. Look to our website in 2025 for courses that will help you to meet your ASHA requirements for DEI and ethics CEUs!

Our mentors are affiliates who generously volunteer their time to guide prospective applicants through the process of grooming toward application. This past year, the Mentorship Committee continued to assess the mentor training to improve the current process and worked to identify additional opportunities to improve transparency in certification requirements. It is our mission that all qualified speech pathologists can visualize and follow the required steps to becoming a certified swallowing specialist. 

We certainly want to emphasize the tireless work of our Public Relations and Communications Committee. This highly creative and industrious committee continues to keep our social media channels abuzz with information and events no matter what time of day (or night!). This last year continued the colossal task of further revising our new AB-SSD website. The committee also published 5 Easy to Digest (E2D) news briefs which are sent out via email when published and can be accessed via our website (E2D Archives). They stay very active on social media advertising our CEUs, The Swallow Symposium at ASHA 2024, and over 17 awareness months and days (did you know that December 12th is World Swallowing Day?). They are especially active on social media in June, as that is our national Dysphagia Awareness Month. We appreciate all your "likes" and shares to spread the word. The PRCC enjoys sharing all the wonderful accomplishments of BCS-S affiliates, including congratulating new affiliates and new board members. Make sure to tag us on social media platforms to let us know what you are up to! Lastly, the PRCC continues to inspire others to obtain their board certification by encouraging new affiliates to share their own pathways to board certification. Last year we heard from Rinki Varindani Desai, MS, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, CBIS, CDP in our January 2024 E2D. We invite you to continue reading this newsletter to find another new affiliate story from Mallory Moore, MS, CCC-SLP, CLT-LANA, BCS-S. 

I want to feature two critical initiatives that will continue to drive our program development in 2025. 

• Application Initiative: The AB-SSD has committed to securing a new application platform to promote feasibility of the new and renewal application process for both the applicant and reviewers. As such, the 2025 budget has included this cost for purchase.  

• Membership initiative: The AB-SSD has received many inquiries over the years about whether BCS-S renewal certification can be more inclusive of SLP’s whom have transition to an administrative, industry, and/or academic/research role. We have committed to continued examination of how renewal certification may be possible in these realms. 

With each year we celebrate new additions to the board, while at the same time must extend our gratitude to those who have completed their service. During 2024, we welcomed a new Consumer Board Member to join our Board of Directors, Kevin Moss. On January 1, 2025, we also welcomed Dr. Jordan Hazelwood and Dr. Eric Blicker as our newest board members. We also welcome back Christina Rappazzo (CE Committee Co-Chair) for another term on the AB-SSD Board of Directors. Yvette McCoy (former Secretary) and Trish Cavanagh completed their terms in December 2024. We extend our sincere gratitude to both for their service to the AB-SSD.

Lastly, for those seeking a volunteer opportunity with the AB-SSD, any of our hard-working and highly rewarding committees can be a great chance to contribute.

On behalf of the AB-SSD Board of Directors, we look forward to working with all of your to accomplish our objectives and continue to serve you as an affiliate of our amazing organization. May it be a productive year of a growth mindset that allows us to serve and advance the care of individuals with feeding and swallowing disorders across the lifespan.

Kendrea L. (Focht) Garand, PhD, CScD, CCC-SLP, BCS-S

AB-SSD Chair, 2024-2026 

●Understand and mediate factors impacting the quality of life for individuals with dysphagia

●Create a family center approach to dysphagia to dysphagia-related caregiver

●Consider starting a dysphagia support group

●Refer individuals to - https://www.dysphagiaoutreach.org/

Koster, Emma & Wadhwaniya, Zuleikha & Namasivayam-MacDonald, Ashwini. (2023). Preliminary Study of the Effects of a Dysphagia Support Group on Quality of Life. American journal of speech-language pathology. 32. 1-23. 10.1044/2023_AJSLP-22-00278.

Rangira D, Najeeb H, Shune SE, Namasivayam-MacDonald A. Understanding Burden in Caregivers of Adults With Dysphagia: A Systematic Review. Am J Speech Lang Pathol. 2022 Jan 18;31(1):486-501. doi: 10.1044/2021_AJSLP-21-00249. Epub 2021 Dec 28. PMID: 34962832.

Smith R, Bryant L, Hemsley B. The true cost of dysphagia on quality of life: The views of adults with swallowing disability. Int J Lang Commun Disord. 2023 Mar;58(2):451-466. doi: 10.1111/1460-6984.12804. Epub 2022 Dec 8. PMID: 36479787; PMCID: PMC10946621.

The NMU Gap clinic is run by Andrea Martinez Fisher, M.A, CCC-SLP.  This innovation in dysphagia care provides a very unique experience for graduate students and a unique model of care for pediatric patients.

https://news.unm.edu/news/feeding-learning-and-giggling-unm-s-baby-gap-clinic

What is the NMU Gap Clinic?

●The Gap clinic was created to bridge the gap of time between discharge from the hospital to the initiation of early intervention services or outpatient services for infants with swallowing and feeding needs.

●Graduate students are able to assist in the evaluation and treatment of swallowing disorders for infants.

●Once early intervention services are initiated, the patient and family may be discharged from the Gap Clinic or transferred to an ongoing caseload if there is not an available feeding specialist nearby.

●Additionally, they are able to participate in an outpatient pediatric VFSS clinic.

Innovations of this clinical practice (service methods):

1. Graduate student clinicians observe how the referral process happens and initial steps for infants with multiple service providers.
2. Graduate clinicians can participate in building relationships with providers and identify gaps and needs in the service line.
3. Clinic helps graduate clinicians connect the dots between class work and actual practice.
4. Provides opportunity to practice and learn with 100% support in an area that is usually limited for graduate students.
5. Graduate clinicians practice identifying the etiology of swallowing disorders in medically complex patients as the patient is recently discharged from the hospital and has transitioned home.
6. Work with families as they navigate the trauma of their baby’s medical needs and NICU stay.
7. Graduate clinicians are able to treat medically complex patients with 100% support that fades as appropriate throughout the semester.
8. Collaboration with university hospital and university SLP program for clinical instructor and graduate clinicians to do pediatric video swallow studies to support the hospital's need and also give the graduate clinicians the opportunity to connect clinic work with swallow anatomy and physiology.

Just over 2 years ago my life changed forever.  On a sunny cold Sunday morning on the 27th of February 2022 I had a stroke.  

I had my stroke playing disc golf; luckily I had 2 great friends with me who helped save my life by calling 911.  

For the next 2 months I spent inside of hospitals, for the first month at University of Cincinnati West Chester (UCWC), and the second month at Mercy West where I started my therapy.   When I entered UCWC I weighed approximately 275lbs.  Within two hours of being admitted to UCWC they found the artery feeding my brainstem as the culprit and were able to diagnose me with a brainstem stroke.   Within days I lost my voice, my ability to walk and swallow, and feeling on my right side.  After about a week, they put a feeding tube (aka, PEG tube) in for nutrition, hydration and medications. The next several weeks I physically declined, and I left UCWC weighing 235lbs.  I left only being able to stand for <10 seconds assisted, barely whisper for speech, and not able to swallow my spit.  I was sent to Mercy West to do in-hospital rehab where I spent 6 days a week doing physical, occupational, and speech and swallowing therapy.  I left Mercy West the Thursday before Easter to go home and do in-home rehab.  I left Mercy weighing only 210lbs and able to walk with a walker less than 10 feet.  

I then spent the remainder of April, all of May and most of June doing in-home physical, occupational and speech and swallowing therapy.  By mid-June my physical therapy had me walking mostly with a cane and even short bits by myself.  The lingering issues being my lack of a voice and difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), where I could not swallow at all. My voice was a whisper at best.

All I ever heard from the Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) doctors and other physicians was I probably would never eat and swallow again. My in-home speech pathologist, Kate, provided hope. Additionally, I kept hearing of one doctor (Dr. Rebecca Howell) that I should see for my best hope to talk again. My in-home therapist, Kate, got me a meeting with Dr. Howell at the end of June 2022.  At that visit, I made it known that I wanted to eat over talk again. Dr. Howell at UC Health said she would have me eating by Christmas, along with talking normal again. I was skeptical of her optimism but also anxious. My first reaction was “wait, what!?” -- immediately followed by “when is the surgery?”    

On July 20th I underwent a 6+ hour surgery to swallow again, with the first two hours me being awake so she could set my voice.  It took 6 weeks for the surgery to fully heal, but in September I started a 5-day-a-week swallow therapy at UC Health (therapy eventually dropped to 3 days a week).  At this point it had been 7 months since I swallowed any liquid or food, and I weighed 181lbs.  At the end of the first session I was sipping water and thickened apple juice, by the 3rd session I was eating soft fruits, and at the end of the second week I was eating soft meats like meatballs. Where Dr. Howell made my throat work in a different manner, it required Dr. Brittany Krekeler, PhD, CCC-SLP and her team retraining me how to swallow for me to succeed.

There are too many people to thank, way too many.  Dave and Tyler for staying with me in a cold parking lot and calling 911 when things came crashing down.  Katherine (PT), Alyssa (OT) and Anna (SLP) at UCWC for always being positive and giving me the base to build off of.  Dr. Grossman and his team of neurologist at UC who looked after my stroke and set a path back for me.  Dr. Treadway and her team at Mercy West, especially Tricia (PT),  Joy (OT), and Donna (RN), all 4 of them daily were positive, encouraging, and supportive when I was at my lowest.  Matt (PT), Kate (Speech), and Chey (OT) from Queen City Skilled Care who did my in-home therapies.  Dr. Howell and her surgery team.  Brittany at UC Main for outpatient PT for a few months.  Dr. Brittany and Angela at UC for swallow therapy and the rest of the team at the Dysphagia Rehab Lab at UC for the ongoing treatments, especially Anna who led the last 8 weeks.  Dr. Max at Mercy West for removing my PEG/feed tube in November.  Lynda at Cincinnati Functional Fitness who has been my fitness coach since the beginning of December 2022 and helped from not being able to lift 20lbs, to new gains each and every week.  

I still can’t feel anything on my right side, still weaker on my left side, and I have balance issues when I walk or stand.  I may never be the same as I was before, but I will never take my life for granted anymore.  Along this journey I’ve learned a few things that I would like to share.

1. Don’t take things for granted.  Most people get to learn to walk, talk and eat once in their life, I got to do them twice.  I honestly hope no one ever has to go through what I did, but if you do: I want to tell you that you can do it.  If a therapist tells you to do something 3 times a day, do it 6 times if need be.  
2. The only failure is not trying.  Trying something and not succeeding is not a failure, it is a learning opportunity for the next attempt.   During my rehab I would have a good day followed by 2 bad days.
3. Don’t let a bad diagnosis stop you.  Had I listened to the some of the doctors along the way I’d be in a wheelchair, not talking, and still using a PEG tube.  I can stand proud and say without a doubt, I’m so glad I did NOT listen to them.
4. Life is short and worth living.  During my darkest times (when I was basically a fully thinking brain trapped inside a useless body) every time I was told something I didn’t like, it made me want to prove them wrong more.  It would have been way easier to accept things and do nothing.  It is way more rewarding to have proved them wrong. 

Don’t forget to thank a nurse for being your partner in dysphagia 

Bloom RD,  Tufano VE,  Perez CT.  Registered nurses' and speech language pathologists' interprofessional collaboration: A systematic scoping review of the literature. Nurs Forum.  2022; 57: 1129-1136. doi:10.1111/nuf.12802

Congratulations Adrienne Perlman for being this year’s Gold Medal Winner at the Dysphagia Research Society’s Annual Meeting. Her experience spans the many potential roles of an SLP from clinical practice, to research, teaching. Dr. Adrienne Perlman was an inaugural or founding member of the American Board of Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders (AB-SSD). She later took on the role president of AB-SSD and then later the Dysphagia Research Society. She is a leader in the field having published over 64 papers on dysphagia. We are so grateful for you, Dr. Adrienne Perlman, and for all your contributions to the field of dysphagia. 

The Annual Dysphagia Research Society's pre-conference and annual meeting were held in San Juan, Puerto Rico this March 12-15, 2024. The AB-SSD was well represented with many members presenting and leading discussion panels. There were almost 400 attendees representing 22 countries from around the world and across many different disciplines (e.g., basic scientists, dietitians, dentists, engineers, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, and pediatric through adult physicians across related specialties . We would like to thank Dr. Mark Nicosia, the 2023-2024 president and his conference co-chair, Dr. Samantha Shune, for hosting such an incredible meeting that will inevitably advance the practice of dysphagia around the world. Enjoy this photo gallery, highlighting those with their board certification in attendance, moderating, speaking, and dancing!

Pics left to right:
AB-SSD Board members: Mario Landera & Laurie Wennerholm
DRS Conference Co-Chairs:  Drs. Samantha Shune and Mark Nicosia
AB-SSD Past Chair: Dr. Luis Riquelme

AB-SSD is gathering information from SLP clinicians from a variety of settings including clinical, academic, administrative and research.  We would like to know more about each setting, in particular from those in academic/research settings who are unable to meet the 100-hour direct patient contact requirement.  Please complete this short survey (shouldn't take more than 2 minutes) to provide us with valuable information to better understand the needs of the dysphagia professional community. This survey is applicable to all dysphagia clinicians, in all settings, who already have BCS-S certification and those who do not. Again, you do NOT have to currently or previously have held BCS-S to complete survey.

Occupational therapists and SLPs collaborate daily when it comes to dysphagia management. According to the American Occupational Therapy Association the OTs role in dysphagia management involves: 

• Providing support for potential cognitive breakdown during PO intake

• Addressing the physical needs for self-feeding and positioning

• Supporting visual neglect and visual spatial issues by addressing food placement, contrasting colors for food and or plate

• Collaborate with dysphagia therapists and or registered dieticians to support obtaining adequate nutrition

How do you collaborate with Occupational Therapy?

The AB-SSD exists to safeguard and advance the care of individuals with feeding and swallowing disorders across the lifespan by professional certification of SLPs who demonstrate excellence through continuing education, integrated clinical practice, mentorship, research, teaching, and leadership.

Qualifications: Affiliate board member nominees must hold current status as a Board-Certified Specialist in Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders.

Term: The affiliate board member term is three (3) years and for no more than two (2) consecutive terms (i.e., six (6) years). A Board Member may be eligible for re-election after the first 6-year term following a 3-year hiatus.

Responsibilities: Responsibilities include participation in one-hour monthly teleconference, attendance at the annual meeting (usually scheduled on the pre-conference day for the annual ASHA convention), and committee participation.

Nomination forms: The nomination form is available on the AB-SSD website and must be submitted by Friday, June 9^th 2023.

Election Process: The nominations committee will select up to two (2) nominees per available position and present the slate to the Board. After approval of the election ballot by the Board, all current AB-SSD affiliates will receive and invitation to vote by e-mail ballot. The Chair of the Executive Committee will notify all applicants of the results of the election, and then announce the results to all affiliates by email and through a posting on the website.

Pictured here: (Front row) Mario Landera, Emily Mayfield, Yvette McCoy, Donna Scarborough
(Back row): Lisa Kelchner, Cesar Ruiz, Molly Knigge, Karen Ball, Joan Kelly Arsenault, Joanne Petro, Debra Suiter, Memorie Gosa

AB-SSD is proud to sponsor the following ASHA presentations. Click on the links for more information:

Navigating Dysphagia Decision-Making, Medical Futility & Moral Distress (Short Course)

Thursday, November 15, 2018

1:30 – 4:30 p.m.

Location: Westin/Hancock

Presenters: Lynne Brady Wagner, Martha Jurchak, Kerri Kennedy, Nicholas Sadovnikoff, Paula Leslie

Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing: Is There a Need for Standardized Training?

(Seminar-1-hour)

Thursday, November 15, 2018

1:30 – 2:30 p.m.

Location: CC/153ABC (Lvl 1)

Presenter: Susan Langmore

Please join us for the SIG 13 - Swallowing & Swallowing Disorders Affiliates and American Board of Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders (AB-SSD) Joint Meeting

Friday, November 16, 2018

7:00 - 8:00 a.m.                       

Location/Building: CC, Room 52 A

The AB-SSD would like to recognize the Meet the Masters course, featuring two BCS-S affiliates. Click on the link below for registration information.

Sharing Difficult News: What Needs to be Said and Heard About Dysphagia

Wednesday, November 14, 2018

5:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Location/Building: CC Room 157ABC

Course Director: Maureen A Lefton-Greif

Faculty: Michael Barnett, James Coyle, Joanne Petro

We are pleased to present the slate of candidates for Board Members of the American Board of Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders.  The Board consists of 12 members who are current BCS-S affiliates and 1 consumer member.  At present, we have 3 affiliate positions open. Following is the slate of affiliate candidates:

Joan Kelly Arsenault, M.A., CCC-SLP, BCS-S (seeking re-election)
Matina Balou, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, BCS-S
Stephanie Davis, M.S., CCC-SLP, BCS-S
Kendrea Garand, Ph.D., CScD, CCC-SLP, BCS-S
Yvette McCoy, M.S., CCC-SLP, BCS-S
Donna Scarborough, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, BCS-S (seeking re-election)

Please review the slate of candidates and their nomination/bio forms by clicking here. Each BCS-S affiliate may vote for up to 3 affiliate candidates.  Click here to cast your vote by July 20, 2018.

Thank you in advance for casting your vote!

Sincerely,

Nominations Committee

American Board of Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders

2017 ASHA Convention, November 9-11

Focus on the Big Picture

See below for opportunities to meet and greet other BCS-S colleagues face to face during the ASHA Annual Convention in Los Angeles, CA November 09-11.

Celebrations of BCS-S Affiliates’ Achievements

Some of our esteemed colleagues with Board Certification in Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders will be honored at this year’s ASHA Convention.  Please plan to attend the ASHA Awards Ceremony on Friday 11/10/17 from 6:15 – 8:00 p.m. in the LA Convention Center, South Hall G to cheer on our colleagues! 

Fellowship of the Association

Lisa N. Kelchner, PhD, CCC-SLP, BCS-S

Debra M. Suiter, PhD, CCC-SLP, BCS-S

Help spread the word about Specialty Board Certification at the ASHA Convention

ASHA is providing a booth in the Exhibit Hall at the 2017 ASHA Convention, so that we can provide information to SLPs and AuDs who are interested in becoming certified specialists. The booth number is 1449. The booth needs at least one person to staff the booth while the Exhibit Hall is open. We hope that all specialists attending ASHA will be able to volunteer by signing up for one or two hours. If you haven't already done so, please consider teaming with your colleague(s) and registering for a time slot or two! Thanks in advance for helping to spread the word about board certification! See you at Booth 1449 (one aisle over from the ASHA Store and close to the Certification Lounge)!!

Please click here to indicate your availability! 

Wednesday 11/08:

ABSSD Sponsored Pre-Convention Short Course:

IDDSI- The Next Steps: Tools & Tips for a Smooth Implementation

Presenters: Peter Lam, Julie Cichero, Catriona Steele, Luis Riquelme, Joseph Murray, and Ben Hanson

Location: LA Convention Center, Room 403:B (Lvl 2), A ticket is required for this workshop

Time 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Session Code: PC01

Thursday 11/09:

Joint Business Meeting: AB-SSD w/ SIG 13

Location: JW Marriott, Room: Plaza 1-2

Time: 7:00 – 8:30 a.m.

AB-SSD Sponsored 1-Hour Session: Soy Lattes, Haggis & Mofongo: Exploring Culture in Dysphagia Management

Presenters: Luis Riquelme, Paula Leslie

Location: LA Convention Center, Room: 304ABC (Lvl 2)

Time: 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.

Session Code: 1390

Friday 11/10:

SIG 13 Sponsored Short Course: Mechanical Ventilation & its Aftermath: Assessing Oral Feeding Safety in Patients Receiving Respiratory Support

Presenters: James Coyle, Dana Novotny, Martin Brodsky, and Emily Mayfield

Location: Marriott, Georgia 1/2, A ticket is required for this workshop

Time: 8:30 – 11:30 a.m.

Session Code: SC13

SIG-13 Sponsored 1-Hour Session: A Clinical Primer of High Resolution Pharyngeal Manometry Applications for the Diagnosis and Management of Dysphagia

Presenters: Kate Humphries and Ashli O’Rourke 

Location: LA Convention Center 515A (Lvl 2)

Time: 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.

Session Code: 1512 

Names in bold indicate BCS-S affiliates.

We are seeking nominations for Board Members of the American Board of Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders.  This Board consists of 12 members who are current AB-SSD affiliates and 1 consumer member.  At present, we have two positions open for a term beginning January 1, 2018 through December 2020.  We request that you submit names of individuals who you recommend. Nominations may be self-initiated or initiated by another affiliate who has confirmed that the nominee is willing to serve.

The mission of the American Board of Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders is:

• To administer an efficient certification program for specialists in the clinical practice and research in swallowing and swallowing disorders,
• To provide the opportunity for practitioners to specify the nature of the clinical practice they provide,
• To provide advanced-level educational opportunities for practitioners,
• To maintain a mechanism by which the public can identify those practitioners with specialized clinical education and experience, and
• To increase awareness of validated assessment and treatment procedures, and promote educated choices for provision of services.

Qualifications:  Nominees must hold current status as a Board Certified Specialist in Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders.

Term: The term is three (3) years and for no more than two (2) consecutive terms (i.e., six (6) years).  A Board member may be eligible for re-election after the first 6-year terms following a 3-year hiatus. 

Responsibilities: Responsibilities include attendance at the annual meeting usually scheduled on the pre-conference day for the annual meeting of the ASHA convention, one-hour monthly teleconference, and committee participation.

Nomination forms: Nomination forms will be posted on the specialty certification website (www.swallowingdisorders.org) and must be returned by e-mail to the AB-SSD office by the deadline posted, which is 30 days after this announcement: November 13, 2017.  A copy of the nomination form is provided here.

Election Process:  The nominations committee will select up to two (2) nominees per available position and present the slate to the Board.  After approval by the Board, all current AB-SSD affiliates will vote by e-mail ballot.  The chair of the executive committee will notify all applicants of the results of the election, and then announce the results to all affiliates by email and a posting on the website. 

Thank for your consideration to serve. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact:

Luis F. Riquelme, Chair

luisslp@aol.com

Congratulations to the Bracco Outstanding Applicant Award winner for 2016, Jodi Hernandez.  Thank you Bracco Diagnostics for your ongoing support!