COURSE INFORMATION
Presented and Hosted by:
SA Swallowing Services, PLLC
Nashville, Tennessee
Course Dates:
10-11 April 2027
Registration Closes:
31 March 2027
Course Location:
Select Specialty Hospital, 2000 Hayes Street, Nashville, TN 37203 - Charity Hall
Intended Audience Only:
Speech-Language Pathologists with earned Master’s degree or above who are working in the medical community and who have experience using FEES. Registration by non-SLP professionals is not permitted.
Course Registration and Tuition:
Register online at https://www.sasspllc.com/advanced-fees-training/p/nashville-apr
Select Registration: Individual/Sponsor-Paid Credit Card or Sponsor-Paid by Invoice
Complete the Registration Information. Confirmation will be sent via email within the week.
Tuition: $595.00 plus $18.08 CC processing fee or $613.08
Purpose:
To provide an advanced-level, two-day training course for Speech-Language Pathologists in the scoring, analyzing, decision-making, and reporting of findings from FEES procedures to assess oropharyngeal swallowing function.
Learning Outcomes:
At the completion of this course participants should be able to:
identify normal and abnormal anatomy/physiology viewed endoscopically during FEES;
describe the components of a standardized FEES administration protocol;
explain the underlying biomechanical impairments that cause disordered swallowing;
formulate treatment strategies and interventions that match the biomechanical impairments observed during FEES videos;
formulate an exercise regimen for dysphagia that utilizes principles of exercise physiology related to the neuromuscular control of swallowing;
assess using reliable and valid measurement tools for FEES to independently review and analyze FEES video files; and
complete accurate and concise summaries of salient findings from independent analysis of FEES video files.
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.
Attend and participate in all FEES analysis and interpretation learning exercises.
Demonstrate working knowledge and proficiency using a 5-point scoring regimen for identifying normal and
abnormal swallow behaviors on FEES.
Demonstrate organization and proficiency in reducing scoring data into manageable and meaningful units for
accurate analysis.
Complete an in-course scored and analyzed FEES study to demonstrate independent proficiency in scoring, analyzing, and making appropriate clinical decisions.
Submit a post-training course self-evaluation of learned skills and course-obtained knowledge.
Course Agenda:
Day One: 8:00 to 5:45
Introduction (30m)
Anatomy & Physiol Normal Swallow (60m)
Scoring Lecture & Activites (Group)-Peristalsis (70m)
Scoring Lecture & Activities (Group)-Airway Protection (35m)
Peristalsis Scoring Activities (Individual) (60m)
Airway Protection Scoring Activities (Individual) (65m)
Biomechanics Lecture & Scoring Activities (115m)
Activities Review (35m)
Biomechanics Lecture & Scoring Activities (60m)
Day Two: 8:00 to 4:15
Activities Review (previous day) (40m)
The Three Pillars of Pneumonia (60m)
Principles of Exercise Physiology & Treatment Options (80m)
Scoring & Analysis Activities: Case Studies using DOSS (60m)
Scoring & Analysis Activities: Case Studies usingDOSS (195m)
Continuing Education Credit:
This course is offered for 1.6 ASHA CEUs (Advanced Level).
Local Arrangements and Course Information:
John R. Ashford, Ph.D. (John@sasspllc.com)
Hotel Accommodations:
Living accommodations are at the discretion of the participant. Several hotels in close proximity to the hospital.
Faculty & Disclosures:
Christina Everett, M.S., CCC-SLP: Contract associate with SA Swallowing Services. A medical Speech-Language Pathologist with clinical experience in acute care and nursing home care. She is ASHA certified, and licensed and certified as an instructor in swallowing endoscopy by the State Board of Health in accordance with Tennessee statutes. She joined SASS in 2020 as a clinician, instructor, and researcher.
Disclosures: Financial: Paid course instructor; Non-financial: None
Matthew Ward, Ph.D., CCC-SLP: As a contract associate and Clinical Education Director with SA Swallowing Services, Matt practiced in hospitals and nursing facilities prior to joining SASS in 2016. His specialty area is medical Speech-Language Pathology with emphasis in swallowing disorders. He is an active clinical researcher and published, and is licensed and certified as a provider and instructor of swallowing endoscopy by the State Board of Health in Tennessee.
Disclosures: Financial: Paid course instructor; Non-financial: None.
Course Cancellation Policy:
30 days or more before the course date, full course tuition refunded, less credit card fee.
11 to 29 days before the course date, 50% course tuition refunded.
10 days or less before the course date, 0% course tuition refunded.
Requests to switch to later courses received less than 30 days before the original course date are subject to a processing fee of $150.00.
Limitation of Liability:
By registering for and completing this training, you agree that SASS will not be held liable for your use of nasoendoscopy and/or any clinical diagnoses and decisions you may make using FEES protocols and procedures in the future.