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Presented by:
SA Swallowing Services, PLLC, Nashville, Tennessee
Hosted by:
PENTAX Medical Canada
Intended Audience Only: Privately Hosted with Invitation Only
Speech-Language Pathologists with earned Master’s degree or above.
Private Course Date:
20-21 September 2025
Registration Closes:
10 September 2025
Course Location:
Sheraton Toronto Airport Hotel & Conference Center, 801 Dixon Road, Toronto, CAN
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:
Sven Claes, Assoc. Director of Marketing, PENTAX Medical (claes@pentaxmedical.com)
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: None.
Travis Camp, M.S., CCC-SLP: Contract associate with SA Swallowing Services. Formerly, a traveling Speech-Language Pathologist providing service to nursing care facilities in Tennessee. He joined SASS in 2018 as a clinician providing FEES services in Tennessee and Georgia, an instructor, and researcher. He is licensed and certified as an instructor of swallowing endoscopy.
Disclosures: Contract Associate with SA Swallowing Services, PLLC, paid course instructor; Non-financial: None.
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 is licensed and certified as an instructor in swallowing endoscopy in accordance with Tennessee statutes. She joined SASS in 2020 as a clinician, instructor, and researcher.
Disclosures: Financial: Contract Associate with SA Swallowing Services, PLLC, paid course instructor; Non-financial: None.
Other Disclosures:
PENTAX Medical is providing funding tuition for participants and providing conference 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, Tuition, & Hotel Accommodations:
Please contact Sven Claes for registration
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) only.
