Loma Linda University - Basic FEES: Instrumental Dysphagia Assessment -3-4 August 2025 (PRIVATE TRAINING)

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).