The Passy Muir Podcast

Michael Harrell has varied experience in respiratory care clinical practice, education, and management. Prior to joining the Passy Muir clinical team in 2005, Michael was Director of Respiratory Care with Charlotte Regional Medical Center in Punta Gorda, Florida. Michael also presided as President of the Florida Society of Respiratory Care where he brought together his clinical knowledge and strong advocacy for patient care to improve respiratory care in the state of Florida. In his role as Director of Clinical Education-Respiratory with Passy Muir, he has presented both domestically and internationally.

Dr. Kristin King has been a speech-language pathologist in a variety of settings since 1995. She earned her PhD in Communication Sciences and Disorders from East Carolina University in 2008, specializing in cognitive-communication and swallowing disorders with medically complex patients of all ages. She has trained SLPs in FEES and VFSS and developed programs for the management of patients on ventilators and use of the Passy Muir^® Valve. She also developed programs for assessment, treatment, and management of patients with TBI. She has published peer-reviewed articles; is a recognized and invited speaker both domestically and internationally on the use of speaking valves, evaluation and treatment following TBI, and swallowing disorders; and has served as an expert witness. She currently conducts research in these areas and maintains clinical skills through consultative services. She also participates in the development of multimedia education on topics relevant to speech-language pathology, respiratory therapy, and nursing, among other clinical professions. She is the Vice President of Clinical Education and Research for Passy Muir.

Rachel O’Hare started her respiratory therapy career in the United States Army Reserves where she served 13 years and did one tour in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. After returning home, she began working as a traveler and has worked in hospitals across the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii. She has a very broad knowledge in respiratory care and has worked in all patient care areas, including Adult ICU, Pediatric ICU, and Neonatal ICU. She also has worked in a pulmonary function lab in addition to long-term care. In 2018, Rachel began to pursue her passion of teaching, advancing her career away from the bedside into becoming a clinical educator for critical care ventilation products. She spent the last few years working as a regional clinical educator, providing clinical education and support for all of Northern California before joining the Passy Muir clinical team in 2022.

Carmin Bartow is a speech-language pathologist who has over 20 years of experience working with medically complex patients in a variety of settings. She is Board Certified in Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders and is a Certified Endoscopist in the state of Tennessee. She has specialized in dysphagia intervention, assessment and treatment of patients with tracheostomy and mechanical ventilation, and in communication and swallowing intervention for patients with head and neck cancer. Carmin was instrumental in the development and success of the Vanderbilt University Medical Center Tracheostomy Team and in the Medical Speech Pathology: Best Practices annual conference. Additionally, she taught the Dysphagia course as an adjunct instructor at Tennessee State University. She has authored and co-authored multiple peer-reviewed papers and presentations on dysphagia, head and neck cancer, tracheostomy and mechanical ventilation, and multidisciplinary tracheostomy teams. Carmin is currently a full-time clinical specialist for Passy Muir.

Tiffany graduated with a Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in 2012. She has been a medical SLP in various settings from acute care to home health, treating both the adult and medically complex pediatric populations. Tiffany has experience developing patient care pathways to guide assessment and treatment selection for patients in home health, at both the state and national level. She has participated in research related to patients with TBI and sports concussions, and she has experience with research analysis and writing white papers. She is a volunteer for Remote Area Medical (RAM), assisting with medical services. She also participates in the development of multimedia education related to healthcare and clinical practice.

Buffy Buchanan is a speech-language pathologist (SLP) with 20 years of experience evaluating and treating a variety of patients in a level III trauma acute care hospital. She specializes in dysphagia management for the patient populations who are critically and neurologically ill, as well as tracheostomy and ventilator dependent. Buffy received her Master of Science degree from West Texas A&M University and is the speech-language pathology supervisor at Northwest Texas Healthcare System. She is proficient in instrumental swallowing assessments (FEES and VFSS). She served the lead role in the development of the first interdisciplinary tracheostomy team for an acute care hospital in the U.S. She continues to serve on the tracheostomy team and collects ongoing data for program development and improved process standards.

Walter has 30 years of critical care experience as a registered respiratory therapist (RRT). The last 21 years have been at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). He also serves as the family and patient tracheotomy educator, training caregivers on how to take care of a child at home who has a tracheotomy, and provides follow-up through an outpatient clinic every three to four months. Walter works closely with the medical team, including involvement in research and co-authoring peer-reviewed articles.

Dr. Harper started his career in medicine at age seventeen as a nocturnal EKG tech in rural Texas. He obtained his BS in Respiratory Care and eventually became a Physician Assistant specializing in Trauma/Surgical Critical Care. Currently Dr. Harper, is a faculty member of the Texas Tech Department of Surgery while serving as the Medical Director of the Surgical Intensive Care Unit at Northwest Texas Hospital, tactical medical officer for the S.W.A.T. Randal County Sheriffs Office, founding Editor-in-Chief of the West Texas Journal of Medicine and maintains several academic appointments. He has been an invited lecturer on a variety of critical care issues from the local to national level, is extensively published and has authored a chapter for Interventional Critical Care: A Manual for Advanced Practice Providers.

Ashley M. Lopez is a board-certified specialist in swallowing and the lead clinician for the rehabilitation team at Houston Methodist Continuing Care Hospital at the Texas Medical Center. She is an LDP (Leadership Development Program) alumni and an inaugural recipient of the ECP (distinguished early career professional) certificate. She currently serves as the Vice President for social media for the Hispanic Caucus and is CE content manager for SIG13.

Jenny Opalinski is a practicing medical Speech-Language Pathologist with 10 years of experience in acute care. She is a member of the interdisciplinary trach/vent weaning team at her facility. She is currently employed at CareOne LTACH, a PMV Center of Excellence. She also utilizes Respiratory Muscle Strength Training (RMST) as a part of her daily clinical practice and for research. She has interests in pursuing evidence-based practice that will enhance the care of her patients for both the areas of communication and swallowing.

Laura Morgan, MS, CCC-SLP, CBIS, lives in Maryland, where she works at HIRRS (Head Injury Rehabilitation and Referral Services), providing support, assessment, and therapy for patients with brain injury. She speaks at both the local and national level, sharing observations from her experiences as a person with a traumatic brain injury. Prior to returning to the practice of speech-language pathology, she served as a research assistant for the Speech-Language Pathology Department of the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.

Erin March, M.Ed., CCC-SLP, ATP, is the Inpatient Therapy Director at Bethany Children’s Health Center where she has been employed since June 2001 as a Speech-Language Pathologist. She received her Bachelor of Science in Communication Disorders and Master Degree in Speech Pathology from the University of Central Oklahoma in 1998 and 2000, respectively. She is an ASHA certified SLP and member of the Oklahoma Speech-Language Hearing. Erin was certified as an Assistive Technology Professional by RESNA in January 2008. Erin and her husband, Robbie, have 3 children: Garrett, Olivia, and Amelia.

Marta Kazandjian Ranaldo, MA CCC-SLP BCS-S, CPT-EFS, F-ASHA, NBC-HWC, is a nationally recognized Medical Speech Pathologist who is Board Certified in Swallowing Disorders. She obtained more education at the prestigious University of Arizona’s Integrative Medical Program. There she became certified in Integrative Lifestyle Management. She also is certified as an Integrative Health Coach and a nationally Board-Certified Health and Wellness Coach. Marta later became a Certified Personal Trainer-Exercise Fitness Specialist and Reiki Master. Her career in healthcare has allowed her to work with patients who present with a variety of illnesses including neurological diagnoses, neurodegenerative diseases, digestive, pulmonary conditions, and cancer. Marta’s 30-year healthcare background, experience as a patient, education in preventative health and lifestyle management, personal fitness training and use of REIKI provides a unique and powerful perspective to those who seek optimal health in survivorship. She is a well-recognized speaker and co-author of Communication and Swallowing Management of Tracheostomized and Ventilator Dependent Individuals (3rd Ed).

Ed Bice, M.Ed., CCC-SLP, is a Speech-Language Pathologist currently in the role of Clinical Consultant for IOPI Medical, LLC. Ed has worked in the health care industry with extensive training in dysphagia. His experience includes a variety of settings: acute care, outpatient, home health and skilled nursing. In addition to his clinical experience, Ed has held various leadership positions. He has worked as a Regional Manager, Vice President of Clinical Services, and Chief Operating Officer. He has been an invited speaker for universities, as well as national and state conventions.

Christine Sapienza, PhD, CCC-SLP, currently serves as provost of Jacksonville University. She is an academician, a strong female leader and mentor to 1000’s of students, with a professional career spanning more than two decades in college education. Dr. Sapienza holds a Bachelor of Science, and Master of Science and PhD. Today, Dr. Christine Sapienza is highly regarded throughout the country for her sustaining and innovative work in speech-language pathology. Dr. Sapienza’s expertise is relied upon by academic colleagues and clinicians worldwide.

Karen Dikeman, MA, CCC-SLP, is a specialist in swallowing and swallowing disorders. She is a coauthor of Communication and Swallowing Management of Tracheostomized and Ventilator Dependent Individuals (3rd Ed), as well as numerous peer-reviewed articles and book chapters. She has led both national and international seminars and participated in several national clinical trials, including Protocol 201, the use of the Blom speaking tracheotomy tube, and the MOLST protocol. She is well-known for her knowledge of patients with tracheostomies and provides education, publications, and conducts research with this patient population.

Dawn Ayala, RRT is the Director of Respiratory Therapy Services at Bethany Children’s Health Center. She has worked at Bethany Children’s Health Center since 2016, but has been a respiratory therapist, in a variety of settings, for 22 years. Dawn holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Missouri. She is credentialed through the National Board of Respiratory Care as a registered respiratory therapist. She also is a certified asthma educator. Dawn has been married to her husband, Alberto for 18 years. They have 2 boys, Nathaniel and Noah, three dogs, one lizard, one snake, and one fish. They all keep Dawn very busy.

Dr Nicola Clayton, has been a Clinical Specialist Speech Pathologist at Concord Repatriation General Hospital for 17 Years. She is recognized nationally and internationally for her clinical expertise and research in the assessment and treatment of complex swallowing disorders specifically in severe burn injury, acute respiratory disease, and critical illness. Nicola has a strong passion for working with tracheostomy patients, was one of the founding members of the Multidisciplinary Tracheostomy Team at Concord Hospital, and instrumental in the design and implementation of the Tracheostomy Weaning Pathway. As the coordinator of the NSW Dysphagia Interest Group for the past 15 years, lecturer in dysphagia management at Macquarie University, and key instructor in various dysphagia and burn related workshops, Nicola is committed to the education of undergraduate and graduate Speech Pathologists as well as other multidisciplinary staff. Nicola has authored multiple peer reviewed publications, book chapters, and professional guidelines/professional practice documents, and she presents domestically and internationally.

Theresa Hopkins-Rossabi is an Assistant Professor at the Medical University of South Carolina in the Division of SLP. A certified speech-language pathologist and board certified in swallowing, she has over 35 years of clinician experience primarily in the acute care setting. Her Ph.D. research was focused on respiratory-swallow coordination.

Brooke Richardson, MS, CCC-SLP, has been treating adults with complex medical needs in the acute and outpatient settings since 2009. She has been instrumental in establishing Respiratory Muscle Training (RMT) programs in multiple hospitals and other healthcare settings. She speaks domestically and internationally on RMT. Brooke seeks to improve patient care by emphasizing the importance of understanding a patient’s whole medical picture when evaluating and treating. Her passion for improving patient care and for empowering her fellow Medical SLPs led her to found The Modern MedSLP. When she’s not teaching or seeing medically-complex patients, Brooke spends quality time with her husband and daughter, drinking coffee, and dreaming of her next travel destination.

Amy Freeman-Sanderson, PhD B.App.Sc, CPSP, FEA, is a Senior Lecturer and a Certified Practicing Speech Pathologist in the Graduate School of Health, University of Technology Sydney. She holds an Honorary Clinical Specialist Speech Pathologist appointment at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Sydney, an Honorary Fellow in the Critical Care Division at The George Institute for Global Health and is an Affiliate of the Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Research Centre (ANZIC-RC), School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia. She has over 20 years of clinical experience including speech pathology and management roles in quaternary and tertiary Sydney and London hospitals. Her role in education has been recognised as an awarded Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Dr Freeman-Sanderson’s research interests in critical care include communication and swallowing function during and after ICU, tracheostomy management, and allied health workforce planning/training. Her clinically focussed research includes national and international collaborations reporting on communication and swallowing function following sepsis. She is also a co-lead investigator for the development of a core outcome set for interventions to enable communication for patients with an artificial airway. Dr Freeman-Sanderson has delivered over 55 conference presentations and invited papers nationally and internationally in her research areas. Her research has been recognised through awards including the inaugural ‘Best Allied Health Paper’ at the Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Society (ANZICS) conference and Junior Investigator Travel award at the Dysphagia Research Society (2020).

Laura Brooks M.Ed. CCC-SLP BCS-S, received her undergraduate degree from the University of Florida and her Master’s degree from the University of Virginia. She has been a speech language pathologist since 1999, and has been board certified in swallowing disorders since 2012. She is a Clinical Specialist at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta working with pediatric patients in the intensive care units and acute care units. She specializes in management of pediatric dysphagia and tracheostomy/ ventilator dependent patients. She has published research, journal articles, case studies, and textbook chapters related to pediatric dysphagia and tracheostomy/ventilator dependent patients. She serves on the Bioethics Committee, Global Tracheostomy Committee, and ICU Liberation/Early Mobility/ECMO Committee at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

Rachel Johnson, Ph.D. CCC-SLP is an associate professor of Communication Sciences & Disorders at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA, specializing in acquired neurogenic disorders and augmentative and alternative communication. Her research investigates cognitive and procedural aspects of learning with a specific interest in the structure of practice, schedule of feedback, and motivation for optimizing communication, participation, and quality of life following a neurological brain injury and neurologically healthy adult populations.

Nicole DePalma, MS, CCC-SLP received her bachelor’s degree at Georgetown University and subsequently earned her master’s degree at NY Medical College in Speech-Language Pathology. She is the owner of NDoscopy Dysphagia Specialists, partnering with hospitals, subacute facilities, and skilled nursing facilities in New York City to provide Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) and provide consulting for interdisciplinary tracheostomy team development. As a consultant, she has presented courses on speaking valve use, dysphagia, and communication management at facilities, conferences, and universities throughout the nation.

Michelle Dawson, MS, CCC-SLP, CLC, a speech-language pathologist with Midlands Therapy Services in Columbia, SC, and adjunct professor with the University of South Carolina, is the acclaimed host of “First Bite: Fed, Fun, Functional” a weekly Speech Therapy Podcast that addresses “all thangs” Pediatric Speech Therapy which is presented by Speechtherapypd.com. Recently, Michelle authored “Chasing the Swallow: Truth, Science, and Hope for Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing Disorders.” She is an accomplished lecturer; traveling across the nation delivering courses on best practices for evaluation and treatment of the medically complex infant, toddler, and child with respect to their pediatric oropharyngeal dysphagia, pediatric feeding disorder, as well as language acquisition within the framework of Early Intervention. She volunteers with Feeding Matters and Dysphagia Outreach Project, has served as the Treasurer for the Council of State Association Presidents, is a Past President of the South Carolina Speech, Language, and Hearing Association, and a 2017 graduate of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s Leadership Development Program, and a 2020 recipient of the Pediatric Feeding Disorder Awareness Champion from Feeding Matters, a 2021 recipient of the Louis M. DiCarlo Award for Outstanding Clinical Achievement from the South Carolina Speech, Language, and Hearing Association, a 2021 recipient of the State Clinical Achievement Award from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Foundation, and nine-time recipient of American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s ACE Award for continuing education.

Steve Cooper is a lifelong resident of the state of Maryland. He is married to his beautiful wife Robin, whom he met over 49 years ago. Steve underwent a Total Laryngectomy in February 2019 and received his Tracheoesophageal Voice Prosthesis (TEP) in September 2019. He owns, and actively manages a wholesale food brokerage business. Steve is a current or former board member of; The Governor’s Advisory Board for Telecommunication Relay (Maryland), Lary’s Speakeasy Laryngectomee Cancer Support Group, The International Association of Laryngectomees and is a peer to peer mentor for Imerman Angels Cancer Support Group and SHOHNC as well as several major hospitals in the Washington DC metro area. Because of the early help and ongoing mentoring that he received from many of the wonderful members of the laryngectomee community, Steve has been instilled with a heartfelt desire to assist other laryngectomees, family members and SLPs in any way possible. He continually welcomes the opportunity to meet with new patients, family members, Speech Pathologists and others, and to be a staunch advocate in the Laryngectomee community. Steve has met with many new laryngectomees, pre or post operatively and always finds it to be a very rewarding experience. Please feel free to contact him at StevenDCooper@gmail.com

Jennifer is the owner of Dysphagia Decision Solutions, LLC and has been a speech-language pathologist for more than 20 years. She has been providing FEES services since 2005. She is a graduate of the University of South Alabama with a Masters of Science in Speech and Hearing Sciences. She received her Certificate of Clinical Competency in 1995. Since graduating as a speech-language pathologist, Jennifer’s primary focus has been the study and treatment of dysphagia. She has an extensive background delivering dysphagia services in nursing homes, long-term acute care hospitals, acute rehab hospitals, and acute-care hospitals. Jennifer is an educator for Passy Muir and has been an advocate of the Passy-Muir Valve and treated patients with tracheostomies and on ventilators since 1998. She is Vital Stim and Advanced Vital Stim certified, trained with Susan Langmore (the inventor of FEES), and has presented at FLASHA (Florida Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists) as well as AHSA.

JoAnn Cabacungan is a practicing medical SLP with experience in a variety of settings including acute care, inpatient rehabilitation hospital (IRH), skilled nursing facility (SNF) and home health. She is passionate about providing patient-centered care, especially for adult medically complex patients. Her primary clinical focus includes dysphagia and dystussia. JoAnn enjoys sharing evidence based practice with graduate student clinicians and practicing SLPs. She has presented at both at the state and national level, including Ohio Speech-Language-Hearing Association (OSLHA) Learning Academy, American Medical Rehabilitation Provider’s Association (AMPRA) and ASHA. JoAnn has also guest lectured at the University of Akron.

Hilary Sample provides speech-language pathology services in the inpatient rehabilitation hospital and acute care settings, with primary clinical interests in swallowing and upper airway disorders. She is passionate about education, serving as FEES trainer, peer mentor, and student supervisor, developing staff competencies, and guest lecturing at universities. Hilary has presented at the state and national level, including the Ohio Speech Language Hearing Association (OSLHA), American Medical Rehabilitation Providers Association (AMRPA), and ASHA. In addition to her clinical work, she currently serves as adjunct professor at Cleveland State University and is co-owner/co-founder of Communication Rescue Services, LLC where she co-created the MedConcerns app.

Corey Mohnike, BS, RRT, is a registered respiratory therapist at a Level II Trauma Center. Corey joined the Passy Muir consultant team with significant experience regarding the Passy Muir^® Valve. His experience includes use of the Valve both as a patient requiring a tracheostomy after a motor vehicle accident and working with the Valve in medical facilities as an RRT. Corey worked at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital, a Passy Muir Center of Excellence, in areas that served many ventilator patients using the Valve. He has co-authored multiple procedures regarding Passy Muir Valve assessment and application with patients on mechanical ventilation. Corey served as the Clinical Educator for a multidisciplinary staff at Bryan Health in Lincoln, Nebraska. He was also involved with the Nebraska Society for Respiratory Care, and has spoken at multiple state meetings and national conferences. He is now the RT Educator at The Medical Center of the Rockies in Loveland, CO.