Discounts
Submit this form to request a discount before checkout.
- Alumni, Clinical Fellows, Uniformed Service Members, and any Non-RMU Students are eligible for a 15% discount
- Current RMU MSSLP Students and Preceptors are eligible for a 100% discount
- Note: If your discount code is for 100% off, the order will say “Payment Failed.” Please allow 1-2 business days for us to manually confirm your order
- All current RMU students and Faculty are eligible for a 50% discount
- All attendees to previous Hard to Swallow conferences are eligible for a 10% discount
Note: To inquire about group rates, please visit the FAQ page.
Important Conference Information
Hard to Swallow: A Catalyst for Change in Dysphagia Management
Theme: Innovation and Advancement in Dysphagia Treatment
Event Dates and Times:
Friday, September 20 | 8:05 am – 4:30 pm Mountain Daylight Time (+2 EDT, -1 PDT)
Saturday, September 21 | 8:30 am – 2:15 pm Mountain Daylight Time (+2 EDT, -1 PDT)
- Event Format: Virtual via Zoom
- This event is offered LIVE. Recordings will not be available for CEUs after the event
- Tech Support Contact: con.ed@rm.edu
Description
This event combines didactic and interactive learning to explore novel and unique treatment methods for swallowing and swallowing disorders. In the spirit of innovation and advancing the field of SLP, Rocky Mountain University has invited various speakers to engage attendees in discussions on treatment modalities that may not have yet been considered within their clinical practice. The content will be intermediate to advanced level and relevant to SLPs with a wide range of clinical experience working with patients with dysphagia.
Completion Requirements: Attend courses and provide a brief reflection on the whole conference via the RMU PEAKS survey that is provided. The survey must be completed by the end of the day on Sunday, September 29, 11:59 PM MDT.
Please contact Tim Stockdale (tim.stockdale@rm.edu) with any questions about this conference.
Pricing
| Early Bird 7/18-8/30 | Standard Price 8/31-9/21 | |
| One Day Only | $100 | $130 |
| Full Conference | $170 | $200 |
Credits
1.2 ASHA CEUs
Full attendance will award 12 hours / 1.2 ASHA CEUs
Day 1 attendance will award 7 hrs / 0.7 ASHA CEUs
Day 2 attendance will award 5 hours / 0.5 ASHA CEUs
Schedule
Click here for a printable copy of the schedule and presenters
Friday, September 20 (All times listed in MDT)
| TIME (MDT) | PRESENTERS | TOPICS | ||
AM | 8:05 | 8:15 | Wendy Chase | WELCOME |
| 8:15 | 9:15 | Dr. James Curtis | Foundational Frameworks for the Assessment and Treatment of Cough and Swallowing Disorders | |
| 9:15 | 10:45 | Dr. Alicia Vose | The Future of Dysphagia Rehabilitation: Harnessing Neuroplasticity for Improved Outcomes | |
| 10:45 | 11:00 | BREAK | ||
| PM | 11:00 | 12:00 | Dr. Bendix Labeit | Advancing Dysphagia Treatment Post-Stroke: Future Directions on Integrating Neurostimulation in a Comprehensive Care Strategy |
| 12:00 | 12:45 | LUNCH BREAK | ||
| 12:45 | 2:15 | Dr. Stephanie Watts | Voluntary Cough, Machine Learning and Dysphagia: From Concept to Construct | |
| 2:15 | 2:30 | BREAK | ||
| 2:30 | 3:30 | Dr. James Curtis | Respiratory-Swallow Coordination: Potential Implications for Assessment and Treatment | |
| 3:30 | 4:30 | Dr. James Curtis Dr. Alicia K. Vose Dr. Stephanie Watts & Dr. Tim Stockdale | Discussion Panel | |
Saturday, September 21 (All times listed in MDT)
| TIME (MDT) | PRESENTERS | TOPICS | ||
| AM | 8:30 | 10:00 | Russ Campbell | Stimulating Effortful Swallows: The Science of NMES and Perturbation |
| 10:00 | 11:30 | Dr. Alex Brandimore | Functionality of IMST for the Medical SLP | |
| 11:30 | 11:45 | BREAK | ||
| PM | 11:45 | 12:45 | Dr. Gabriela Constantinescu | Unlocking the Power of sEMG Biofeedback: Insights and strategies for clinicians. |
| 12:45 | 1:15 | BREAK | ||
| 1:15 | 2:15 | Russ Campbell Dr. Gabriela Constantinescu Dr. James Curtis Dr. Alicia K. Vose & Dr. Tim Stockdale | Discussion Panel | |
Speakers
 | James Curtis, PhD, SLP, BCS-S Dr. James Curtis is an Assistant Professor of Speech-Language Pathology and principal investigator of the Aerodigestive Innovations Research lab (AIR) within the Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery at Weill Cornell Medical College of Cornell University. His mission is to improve the health and quality-of-life of people with voice, cough, and swallowing disorders through clinical innovation, scientific discovery, and multidisciplinary collaborations. His current lines of research include: (1) identifying mechanisms of voice, cough, and swallowing disorders in people with respiratory and neurological diseases; (2) testing the effects of respiratory-swallow coordination training and cough skill training on airway protective outcomes; and (3) developing novel and clinically feasible techniques for the assessment and treatment of voice, cough, and swallowing disorders. Disclosure: James Curtis has the following relevant financial relationships: * Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions – Honorarium for speaking at the 2024 Hard to Swallow: A Catalyst for Change in Dysphagia Management conference No relevant non-financial relationships exist. |
 | Alicia Vose, PhD, CCC-SLP Alicia Vose, PhD CCC-SLP is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurology at the University of Florida College of Medicine in Jacksonville, FL and an investigator in the Breathing Research and Therapeutics Center (BREATHE) at the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL. She has 12 years of clinical experience specializing in the diagnosis and management of upper airway disorders, including swallowing, respiratory, and cough function after neurologic injury. Her research program aims to advance swallowing motor recovery and improve rehabilitation approaches for individuals after acquired neurologic injury, particularly after stroke and spinal cord injury. Specifically, her lab has a strong interest in understanding swallowing airway protective mechanisms, including laryngeal vestibule closure and the coordination of breathing and swallowing. Dr. Vose’s research lab includes interdisciplinary and translational approaches to investigate mechanisms that promote neuroplasticity to improve the efficacy of swallowing and airway protection rehabilitation. The specific objectives of her research are to 1) identify mechanisms associated with swallowing motor recovery and 2) investigate novel approaches to enhance the delivery and effectiveness of swallowing rehabilitation. Her lab adopts a multidisciplinary approach and includes active collaborations with stroke and spinal cord rehabilitation scientists and clinicians, vascular neurologists, spinal cord injury physiatrists, biomedical engineers, and basic scientists to advance rehabilitation after neurologic injury. Disclosure: Alicia Vose has the following relevant financial relationships: * University of Florida – Salary for Employment * Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions – Honorarium for speaking at the 2024 Hard to Swallow: A Catalyst for Change in Dysphagia Management conference No relevant non-financial relationships exist. |
 | Dr. Bendix Labeit, MBA Bendix Labeit is a neurology physician and clinician scientist at University Hospital Duesseldorf in Germany. His research focuses on neuroscience, geriatrics, and rehabilitation, particularly addressing dysphagia (swallowing impairment) within these fields. He employs various scientific methods, including Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES), magnetoencephalography (MEG), functional MRI (fMRI), and bioimpedance (BIA), to conduct his studies. His commitment to advancing the field is reflected in his publications in leading journals, including Lancet Neurology, Neurology, Movement Disorders, Stroke, Nature Parkinson’s Disease, and the Journal of the American Medical Directors Association. Through his work, he aspires to create a significant impact by reducing mortality rates and enhancing the overall quality of life for patients. Disclosure: Bendix Labeit has the following relevant financial relationships: * German Research Foundation – Grants * Clexio Bioscience Ltd – Grants * Medical faculty of the University of Muenster – Grants * German Society for Geriatrics (DGG)/ the Rolf und Hubertine Schiffbaur Foundation – Award * Phagenesis Ltd – Speaking fee * Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions – Honorarium for speaking at the 2024 Hard to Swallow: A Catalyst for Change in Dysphagia Management conference No relevant non-financial relationships exist. |
 | Stephanie Watts, PhD, CCC-SLP Dr. Stephanie Watts is a clinician, researcher, and educator specializing in the areas of swallowing and voice assessment and treatment at the University of South Florida (USF). Her research interests include esophageal physiology, cough neurophysiology, clinical evaluation of airway protective behaviors, and maximizing patient health outcomes through multidisciplinary care. She earned an undergraduate degree in Speech Pathology at Florida State University and master’s degree in Speech Pathology at USF. Dr. Watts earned her doctoral degree at USF under the direction of Dr. Emily Plowman in 2017 and was promoted to faculty in Medicine. She is currently section chief of Speech Pathology at the USF Voice Center within Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery where she conducts research and sees patients clinically. Disclosure: Stephanie Watts has the following relevant financial relationships: * University of South Florida – Salary and Grants * Dysphonia International – Grants * Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions – Honorarium for speaking at the 2024 Hard to Swallow: A Catalyst for Change in Dysphagia Management conference Stephanie Watts has the following non-financial relationships: * Member of Bridge 2AI |
 | Tim Stockdale, SLPD, CCC-SLP Timothy (Tim) Stockdale has served as a speech language pathologist (SLP) primarily in university and acute care settings. He teaches at the graduate-level, practices clinically, organizes continuing education for SLPs, and hosts the podcast ‘Swallow the Gap’ to address gaps in dysphagia care. He received an undergraduate degree from West Virginia University, a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of South Florida, and a Doctorate in Speech-Language Pathology (SLPD) from Northwestern University. Disclosure: Tim Stockdale has the following relevant financial relationships: * Gap Education, LLC – Owner & Swallow the Gap Podcast Host – Salary and Royalties * Intermountain Health – Salary * Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions – Adjunct Instructor, SLPD Capstone Committee Member, Conference Director – Salary & Potential Conference Royalties Tim Stockdale has the following non-financial relationships: * ASHA SIG-13 Professional Development Committee Volunteer |
 | Russ Campbell, PT Russ Campbell, PT, is an award-winning therapist and received his degree from Northwestern University in 1989. He is a co-developer of the Effective Swallowing Protocol (ESP™) and CEO of Ampcare, an FDA-registered medical device and services company that develops innovative technologies for people with swallowing disorders. Russ is responsible for the research and development of the company’s products and methodology as well as guiding the company’s global growth through partnerships with healthcare providers. He has provided treatment in acute care hospitals, inpatient rehab units, skilled nursing facilities, outpatient clinics, and home health arenas. He specializes in using modalities with a holistic approach to foster faster outcomes and maximize the quality of life of patients. He has provided more than 750 continuing education trainings to physical, occupational, and speech therapists. Disclosure: Russ Campbell has the following relevant financial relationships: * Ampcare. LLC – Honorarium, salary, Intellectual Property Rights, Holds Patent on Equipment, and Ownership Interest * Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions – Honorarium for speaking at the 2024 Hard to Swallow: A Catalyst for Change in Dysphagia Management conference No relevant non-financial relationships exist. |
 | Alex Brandimore, PhD, CCC-SLP Dr. Alexandra Brandimore, Ph.D. CCC-SLP joined the USF Communication Sciences and Disorders department faculty in May 2017. She completed her doctoral studies at the University of Florida where she also received her Master’s and Undergraduate education. After obtaining her Ph.D in Speech-Language Pathology, Dr. Brandimore completed a post-doctoral fellowship in the Laboratory for Upper Airway Dysfunction within the Department of Biobehavioral Sciences at Teachers College, Columbia University. During her post-doctoral work she established and coordinated the Clinical Research Neurorehabilitation Center at Teacher’s College and served as co-investigator and/or study coordinator for various large-scale NIH and MJ Fox funded projects. As an academician, Dr. Brandimore interfaces her passions for teaching, research, and clinic. Her primary research goals target the development of evaluative techniques and therapeutic paradigms to improve upper airway dysfunction, primarily dysphagia (disordered swallowing) and dystussia (disordered cough), in persons with neurodegenerative diseases (i.e. Parkinson’s disease). Her clinical work has mainly been in the area of Movement Disorders where she has evaluated and treated the motor speech, voice, AAC, and airway protective needs of hundreds of patients. She has participated in the collaborative, multidisciplinary ALS clinic within the USF Health system to facilitate the complex needs of these patients. Dr. Brandimore has teaching expertise in the areas of: respiratory physiology, cognitive-motor relationships, neural/myogenic adaptations to exercise and training, with emphasis on the swallowing, coughing and respiratory systems, and clinical disorders of motor speech, voice, and airway protection. Dr. Brandimore’s teaching interests include dysphagia, voice disorders, motor speech disorders, speech anatomy and physiology, neuroanatomy, and SLP management of complex movement disorders. Disclosure: Alex Brandimore has the following relevant financial relationships: * University of South Florida – Salary for Employment * Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions – Honorarium for speaking at the 2024 Hard to Swallow: A Catalyst for Change in Dysphagia Management conference No relevant non-financial relationships exist. |
 | Gabriela Constantinescu, PhD Gabi is an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Communication Sciences and Disorders Department at the University of Alberta and serves as a Manager in the Ministry of Advanced Education, Government of Alberta. Gabi began her career as a speech-language pathologist, accumulating over a decade of clinical experience in evaluating and treating resonance, speech, and swallowing disorders in patients with a history of head and neck cancer. This clinical experience laid the groundwork for her doctoral research, which played a pivotal role in the creation and advancement of Mobili-T, a mobile biofeedback system for swallowing exercises (now a product of True Angle). Following her doctoral work, Gabi became a co-founder and CXO of True Angle for five years, a role that underscored the critical need to enhance awareness and education regarding the commercialization of research. This well-rounded journey has led Gabi from transforming her research into a product that benefits both patients and clinicians, to now facilitating similar opportunities at post-secondary institutions. Gabi’s academic contributions include over 20 publications and teaching a variety of courses such as statistics, research design, speech science, and resonance. Her research has earned her several recognitions including the Michael Donovan NFOSD Innovation Award at the Dysphagia Research Society conference and the ACSLPA Honor of the College award. Disclosure: * Gabriela Constantinescu has the following relevant financial relationships: * Mobili-T – Listed as an author on patent * Government of Alberta, Ministry of Advanced Education – Salary for employment * Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions – Honorarium for speaking at the 2024 Hard to Swallow: A Catalyst for Change in Dysphagia Management conference Gabriela Constantinescu has the following non-financial relationships: * Member of Government of Alberta, Ministry of Advanced Education |
Sponsors
Northern Speech Services ($500) and Bracco ($1,500) are financial sponsors for the 2024 Hard to Swallow: A Catalyst for Change in Dysphagia Management Conference.
The National Foundation of Swallow Disorders (advertising/promotional assistance) is an “in-kind” supporter of the 2024 Hard to Swallow: A Catalyst for Change in Dysphagia Management Conference.
FAQ
What are our attendance requirements?
- We require you to sign off on attendance in the post-conference survey.
Do we allow Partial Credit?
- Yes, you can receive credit for each session you attend.
How do I request accommodations?
How far in advance do I need to submit for accommodations?
- Accommodation requests must be submitted 3 weeks before the Conference, on Friday, August 30, at the end of the business day.
Learner and Provider Cancellation/Refund Policy?
What is your complaint policy?
- Complaint Policy
- Submit a ticket for technical support at con.ed@rm.edu
Are there any prerequisites?
- There are no prerequisites that are required.
Are there any materials needed?
- There are no materials needed.
What is the deadline for the learner assessment?
- Sunday, September 29, 11:59 PM MDT
Non-discriminatory Practices
Code of Conduct?
Ethical practice for CE?
- ASHA CE Provider (Intermediate level) 1.2 ASHA CEUs. ASHA CE Provider approval and use of the Brand Block does not imply endorsement of course content, specific products, or clinical procedures.
Target Audience
Beginner, intermediate, and advanced-level speech-language pathologists who provide diagnostic and/or treatment services for patients with dysphagia