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Presented by:
SA Swallowing Services, PLLC, Nashville, Tennessee
Hosted by:
Department of Communication Sciences & Disorders, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California
Intended Audience Only: Privately Hosted with Invitation Only
Speech-Language Pathology graduate students and staff with earned Master’s degree or above who are working for or affiliated withLoma Linda University. Registration by non-SLP professionals is not permitted.
Private Course Date:
3-4 August 2025
Registration Closes:
23 July 2025
Course Location:
Department of Communication Sciences & Disorders, Burden Hall, 11041 Anderson Street, Loma Linda, California
Purpose:
To provide an intermediate-level, two-day training course for Speech-Language Pathologists in the use of transnasal endoscopy to assess pharyngeal dysphagia using a standard FEES assessment protocol, and scoring and analysis procedures.
Objectives:
At the completion of this course participants should be able to:
Demonstrate safe & effective manual skills using nasoendoscopy to assess the oropharynx, hypopharynx, & larynx before, during, & after each swallow event;
Describe & demonstrate specific FEES protocols & procedures to capture & assess dynamic & complex swallowing events;
Identify & explain the anatomy & physiology of swallow peristalsis & airway protection functions during normal & abnormal swallowing events, as viewed endoscopically;
Identify, describe, & demonstrate standard infection control procedures before & after each FEES procedure;
Identify & describe any risks or contraindications for administering the FEES procedure; and
Identify, analyze, & interpret FEES results to recommend & guide appropriate interventions.
Local Contact & Special Needs Coordinator:
Christina Nobriga, Ph.D., CCC-SLP (cnobriga@llu.edu)
Course Information Contact and Complaint Resolution:
John R. Ashford, Ph.D., (John.r.ashford6703@gmail.com)
Faculty & Disclosures:
Michelle Skelley, M.Ed., CCC-SLP: Co-founder and President of SA Swallowing Services, she is a medical Speech-Language Pathologist and FEES Endoscopist serving rehabilitation hospitals and nursing homes across Tennessee and parts of Kentucky and Georgia. She also is the supervisor/instructor for on-site FEES competency training. She is licensed and certified as a provider and instructor of swallowing endoscopy in accordance with Tennessee statutes.
Disclosures: Financial: Co-Owner of SA Swallowing Services, PLLC, paid course instructor; Non-financial: None
John R. Ashford, Ph.D., CCC-SLP: Co-founder and Educational/Research Director of SA Swallowing Services, he has over 48 years of experience as a Speech-Language Pathologist. He is retired from the Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care System and as a University Professor. He is licensed and certified as an instructor of swallowing endoscopy in accordance with Tennessee statutes.
Disclosures: Financial: Co-Owner of SA Swallowing Services, PLLC, paid course instructor; Non-financial: NoneDisclosures: Financial: Contract Associate with SA Swallowing Services, PLLC, paid course instructor; Non-financial: None.
Kimry Schwarz, M.S., CCC-SLP: A medical Speech-Language Pathologist with clinical experience in outpatient and acute care and nursing home care. As a FEES Endoscopist, she owns Advanced Dysphagia Diagnostics, Montrose, CO, and is a university instructor. She is a guest lecturer associated with SA Swallowing Services Education Services.
Disclosures: Financial: Owner of Advanced Dysphagia Diagnostics, paid course instructor; Non-financial: None.
Other Disclosures:
Loma Linda University:: Financial: None; Non-financial: Use of facility meeting space.
Course Agenda:
Day One: 8:00 to 5:00
Introduction & Purposes of FEES (20m)
Surface Anatomy (30m)
Surface Anatomy Exercise (20m)
Endoscopy Laboratory (50m)
Underlying Anatomy &Physiology of Swallowing (40m)
Nasoendoscopic & FEES Equipment (20m)
Medical Issues & Nasoendoscopy (20 min)
Infection Control Requirements & Procedures (20m)
Endoscope Insertion & Handling (40 min)
Endoscopy Lab: Hands-on, supervised Nasoendoscopy/FEES Training, and
FEES Analysis Lab: Identifying & Defining Swallowing Consequences: Introduction to FEES Observations & Computer Analysis Practice Labs (250m)
Day Two: 8:00 to 4:10
FEES Protocols & Procedures (45m)
Scoring FEES Using Rating Scales (80m)
Analyzing Swallow & Airway Protection Behaviors (50m)
FEES: Behavioral Intervention & EBP (60m)
FEES Demonstration/Duel Scope Video (20m)
Endoscopy Lab: Hands-on, supervised Nasoendoscopy/FEES Training, and
FEES Analysis Lab: FEES Observations and Scoring (195m)
Course Registration:
Register online at https://www.sasspllc.com/basic-fees-training-courses/p/loma-linda-university/
Select Registration - Student or Non-Student
Complete the Registration Information. Confirmation will be sent via email within the week.
Students will pay the university Speech & Hearing Clinic directly ($485.00)
Non-students will pay online with credit card ($645.00)
Satisfactory Training Completion Requirements:
To satisfactorily complete the requirements for the Certificate of Specialized Training for Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES), the following are required:
Attend all training lectures during the two-day training.
Complete an anatomy quiz (passing score is not required).
Complete in-lecture learning exercises.
Complete the 15-step FEES Protocol & Procedures Laboratory using nasoendoscopy with 15 normal volunteers, and completing a procedural self-assessment after each. Signed off by instructors providing verified proof of supervised training.
Attend FEES Analysis and Interpretation Laboratories and complete learning exercises.
Submit a post-training course self-evaluation of learned skills and course-obtained knowledge.
Continuing Education Credit:
This course is offered for 1.6 ASHA CEUs (Intermediate Level).
