Full conversation with Melissa Davis, MS, CCC-SLP and Jenna Nassar, MS, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, for "Intraprofessional Practice: Strategies for Effective Collaboration Between SLPs" an episode of the First Bite podcast.

Hosted by: Michelle Dawson MS, CCC-SLP, CLC, BCS-S

Earn 0.1 ASHA CEU for this episode with Speech Therapy PD: https://www.speechtherapypd.com/courses/intraprofessional-practice-strategies

In this episode of First Bite, we’re exploring what effective intraprofessional practice really looks like for SLPs in pediatrics. When colleagues collaborate well, everyone benefits—especially the little ones we serve.

Join Michelle Dawson, MS, CCC-SLP, CLC, BCS-S, as she interviews Melissa Davis, MS, CCC-SLP, owner of Speech Therapy for Kids and co-owner of Kids Therapy Spot in Starkville and Columbus, MS, and Jenna Nassar, MS, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, clinician and instructor in the Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. Together, they share how they make intraprofessional collaboration work for optimal continuity of care.

Tune in to learn what a typical day looks like for a pediatric medical SLP in different settings, discover strategies to strengthen your clinical skills across those settings, and gain practical ideas for communicating effectively—even across hundreds of miles—so that the little ones on both your caseloads thrive.

About the Guest(s): Melissa Davis, MS CCC-SLP, is the owner of Speech Therapy for Kids and co-owner of Kids Therapy Spot located in Starkville and Columbus, MS. Melissa received her bachelor’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Middle Tennessee State University in May of 2000 and her master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Mississippi University for Women in May of 2002. Melissa worked for two rehabilitation companies from 2002 to 2009, providing speech therapy services in homes and daycare centers for children in the early intervention program. In January 2010, Melissa went into private practice. She now has two outpatient clinics in Starkville and Columbus, MS, in addition to contracting speech therapy services at three Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care Facilities and the private schools in Starkville, MS. In addition to owning a private practice, Melissa continues to be a treating SLP primarily focusing on treating children with pediatric feeding disorders at her two outpatient clinics, in addition to the PPEC in Starkville, MS. She also consults on patients with PFD at the PPECs located in Meridian and Columbus, MS. Melissa is an active volunteer with Feeding Matters and was on the 2023 and 2024 ASHA PFD topic committee. She consistently speaks to undergraduate and graduate students at various universities about PFD and has also had numerous speaking engagements, presenting information on opening and operating a private practice.

Jenna Nassar, MS CCC-SLP, BCS-S, is a pediatric speech pathologist and an instructor in the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Cancer at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. In addition to these roles, she also serves as the pediatric outpatient team leader, clinical Internship coordinator for the Department of Speech Pathology, and as a member of the cleft and craniofacial team. She specializes in pediatric swallowing and feeding disorders and serves patients both inpatient and outpatient at Batson Children's Hospital. She holds Board Certification in swallow and swallowing disorders through the ABSSD. She is trained in a variety of treatment approaches for feeding and swallowing disorders. She is a member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, the Mississippi Speech-Language-Hearing Association, SIG 13, and Feeding Matters. She was awarded the 2023 Clinical Achievement Award from the Mississippi Speech-Language-Hearing Association and the Association's Honors in 2025. In 20024, she served on the Pediatric Feeding...

Guest: Hannah Patten MSP, CCC-SLP

Earn 0.1 ASHA CEU for this episode with Speech Therapy PD: https://www.speechtherapypd.com/courses/brain-injury-and-the-pediatric-slp

Pediatric brain injuries can happen for many different reasons, and they may affect speech, language, feeding, and even result in dysphagia. For many SLPs, working with children who have a brain injury can feel overwhelming, especially if this is a new population for you.

In this episode of First Bite, Michelle Dawson, MS, CCC-SLP, CLC, BCS-S, sits down with Hannah Patten, MSP, CCC-SLP, from the Mayo Clinic. Hannah shares the most common causes of pediatric brain injuries, current evidence-based approaches for evaluation and treatment, and practical interventions that can make a real difference.

You will leave with functional resources, new ideas, and the confidence to bring hope and support to these little ones and their families.

About the Guest(s): Hannah Patten is a speech-language pathologist at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, working in acute care and as part of the Aerodigestive Clinic. She is involved in research projects examining the relationship between oropharyngeal dysphagia and aspiration-related lung disease. She previously worked at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta in inpatient rehabilitation and completed her clinical fellowship at the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center. Her clinical interests include dysphagia across the lifespan, dysphagia evaluation and treatment in the ICU, pediatric and neonatal feeding and swallowing dysfunction, and tracheostomy and ventilator dependence.

Guests: Lydia Barry, MS, CCC-SLP, and Maggie Wheeler, MS, CCC-SLP

Earn 0.1 ASHA CEU for this episode with Speech Therapy PD: https://www.speechtherapypd.com/courses/interprofessional-neurodiversity-affirming

In this episode of First Bite, host Michelle Dawson, MS, CCC-SLP, CLC, BCS-S, is joined by Lydia Barry, MS, CCC-SLP, and Maggie Wheeler, MS, CCC-SLP, from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC).

Together, they share how UTHSC’s neurodiversity-affirming, routines-based clinical program partners with the Tennessee Early Intervention System (TEIS). You’ll discover two pediatric language clinics on campus that serve families in the community while also giving graduate SLP students the chance to roll up their sleeves and coach caregivers on early language and social skills. The conversation also highlights teamwork, with graduate students learning how to collaborate across disciplines to support the entire family. It’s a practical, real-world look at early intervention that’s equal parts informative and encouraging.

About the Guests:

Maggie Wheeler, MS, CCC-SLP, has been with the University of Tennessee Health Science Center since 2018, serving in the Pediatric Language Clinic and, more recently, the UT Hearing and Speech Center, working as a clinical assistant professor. She has expertise in parent training, early intervention, autism, and early language. Ms. Wheeler also treats patients with early intervention needs who require pediatric feeding and augmentative communication services. Her previous experience in public schools has made her passionate about helping parents smoothly transition from early intervention into the public school system. She also strives to support her family by connecting them with local resources that meet their child's needs.

Lydia Barry, MS, CCC-SLP, is a speech-language pathologist and clinical faculty member at the University of TN Health Science Center Department of Audiology and Speech Pathology. She serves as the program coordinator of the UT Pediatric Language Clinic, an Early Intervention Resource Agency (EIRA) funded through the Tennessee Early Intervention System (TEIS) that supports the families of young children with autism and/or social-communication differences. Ms. Barry was inspired to enter the speech pathology field by her brother, who is an autistic AAC user and has a passion for helping families become successful and supportive advocates and caregivers for their children. Her interests include early social-communication development, augmentative alternative communication (AAC), caregiver-mediated intervention, and mental health aspects of clinical practice.

Show Notes:

https://helpingbabies.org/volunteer-give/

https://give.uthsc.edu/campaigns/42945/donations/new?a=1a

Guest: Amy Delaney, PhD, CCC-SLP

Earn 0.1 ASHA CEU for this episode with Speech Therapy PD: https://www.speechtherapypd.com/courses/research-to-chew-on

If pediatric feeding and swallowing are your passion, you won’t want to miss this conversation on First Bite. Host Michelle Dawson, MS, CCC-SLP, CLC, BCS-S, welcomes Dr. Amy Delaney, PhD, CCC-SLP, from Marquette University to share the latest findings from the Neurodevelopmental Feeding and Swallowing Lab. Dr. Delaney unpacks neurodevelopmental norms, ongoing research in Pediatric Feeding Disorder (PFD), and key insights from her recent publication on texture progression. With her expertise, you’ll gain a clearer understanding of how evidence is shaping clinical practice and what it means for the future of pediatric feeding.

Whether you’re looking to sharpen your knowledge base or stay up to date with cutting-edge research, this episode offers practical and impactful takeaways you can bring straight to your work with children and families.

About the Guest: Amy Delaney, PhD, CCC-SLP, is an Assistant Professor in Speech Pathology and Audiology at Marquette University. She is the Director of the Neurodevelopmental Feeding and Swallowing Lab, which focuses on establishing a normative reference for feeding development to identify diagnostic criteria and assessment tools for the early and accurate diagnosis of pediatric feeding disorders (PFDs). Amy worked at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin for 20 years, specializing in advanced diagnostics and intervention for PFD and pediatric dysphagia in medically complex children. She is a Founding Member of the Medical Professional Council and currently serves as the Chair of the Educational Pillar for Feeding Matters. Amy co-authored the Infant and Child Feeding Questionnaire© and the PFD consensus paper by Goday et al. in 2019. She enjoys walking her mini Bernedoodle, being goofy with her 10-year-old daughter, and coaching soccer.

Guest: Emma Justice, MS, CCC-SLP, CLC, NTMTC

Earn 0.1 ASHA CEU for this episode with Speech Therapy PD: https://www.speechtherapypd.com/courses/pfd-problem-solving

Tune in as we welcome one of our favorite humans, Emily Justice, a dedicated speech language pathologist with a wealth of experience working in the NICU and public schools in Boston. Join us for an engaging discussion about her path into speech therapy, her passion for supporting minority recruitment in the field, and her advocacy for accessible feeding therapy. We delve into important topics such as the necessity of instrumental swallow studies, the power of family and caregiver involvement in therapy, and the importance of interprofessional collaboration. This episode is packed with practical insights for therapists, caregivers, and anyone invested in improving pediatric feeding practices.

About the Guest: Emma Justice, MS, CCC-SLP, CLC, NTMTC, works full-time for Boston Public Schools and is the owner of Justice for Infant Feeding Therapy and Lactation. She specializes in pediatric feeding and swallowing, with a focus on medical complexities and culturally diverse populations. Emma is certified in lactation counseling as well as neonatal touch and massage. She received her master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Northeastern University and completed her clinical fellowship at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. Emma has experience across several settings, including pediatric acute care, encompassing a Level III NICU, PICU, Oncology, Cleft and Craniofacial team, Aerodigestive team, and the well-baby Mother-Infant Unit. Additionally, Emma has experience in pediatric outpatient rehab, home health, and public school settings. She is a guest lecturer and the primary pediatric consultant for the Swallowing Wellness Center, where she teaches a course on pediatric swallow studies. Emma co-created BABY S.T.E.P. with Dr. Ianessa Humbert, an infant and pediatric adaptation of Humbert’s S.T.E.P. (Swallowing Training Educational Portal), designed to provide accessible, affordable, and evidence-based swallowing education. She currently serves on ASHA’s topic committee for Pediatric Feeding Disorders and has presented nationally on topics related to pediatric dysphagia and cultural disparities.

Guest: Ivonne Maldonado De la Rosa, PhD., MLS, CCC-SLP

Earn 0.1 ASHA CEU for this episode with Speech Therapy PD: https://www.speechtherapypd.com/courses/health-and-pfd

Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) directly impact access to evaluation and intervention for infants, toddlers, and children with pediatric feeding disorder. But, how comfortable are you in identifying them? Do you have strategies for overcoming the barriers to care that SDOH create? What are the roles/impact of cultural beliefs and language(s) and their impact on SDOH and PFD?

To answer these profound questions, as well as countless others, "First Bite" is honored to host the brilliant Ivonne Maldonado De la Rosa, Ph.D., MLS, CCC-SLP, for an hour to enlighten us on potential solutions and strategies for overcoming known and unknown barriers related to SDOH and PFD.

About the Guest:

Dr. Ivonne Maldonado-De la Rosa is a bilingual speech-language pathologist, researcher, and assistant professor at A.T. Still University in Arizona. She holds a Master of Legal Studies from Arizona State University’s Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, which complements her research and advocacy for equity in healthcare access. Her clinical and academic work focuses on pediatric feeding disorders, swallowing, bilingualism, and the impact of social determinants of health on patient outcomes.

Guests: Jennifer Eggert and Dawn Merth-Johnson

Earn 0.1 ASHA CEU for this episode with Speech Therapy PD: https://www.speechtherapypd.com/courses/lessons-from-wisconson

Do you dream about working with pediatric feeding disorders in the public schools, but aren't sure where to begin? Or, have you recently been asked to do so and are truly hesitant to start? Well, if you answered "Yes" to either one of those scenarios, then don't fret, because "First Bite" has you covered, thanks to the "forward-thinking" of leaders in Wisconsin. So, be inspired by your SLP colleagues Jennifer Eggert and Dawn Merth-Johnson, as they share the dynamic interprofessional practice team they built at the Wisconsin state level, the systematic steps they took during the 2024-2025 school year to implement the initial evaluation and treatment of pediatric feeding disorder protocols, and how they plan to engage in implementation science to tweak and grow for the 2025 -2026 school year. By the end of this hour, you will have functional steps to start in your district/state, too!

Guests:

Jennifer Eggert, MS, CCC-SLP, C/NDT, has dedicated her entire career to providing evaluation and treatment for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age children with a range of congenital and acquired diagnoses. Jennifer's focus has consistently been in the area of oral-motor and feeding disorders. She has served for 20 years as an instructor in the University of Wisconsin system and at Marquette University, teaching a variety of undergraduate and graduate-level courses, in addition to providing both on- and off-campus student supervision. Jennifer is the outgoing president of the Wisconsin Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Association (WSHA).

Dawn Merth-Johnson, MA, CCC-SLP, is an Education Consultant for the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, specializing in speech-language services and assistive technology. She brings 29 years of clinical and supervisory experience across various settings, including schools, long-term rehabilitation facilities, state agencies, and university programs. Dawn presents at both state and national conferences on topics related to leadership, advocacy, and clinical practice. She serves as Wisconsin’s ASHA Co-State Education Advocacy Leader (Co-SEAL) and is the ASHA SEAL Champion for the Midwest region.

Content warning for this episode: We discuss topics such as gun violence in schools and the recent event at Annunciation Church and Marjory Stoneman Douglass High School.

0.1 ASHA-CEUs will be available for this episode on September 16 at speechtherapypd.com

In this episode Erin and Rachel Archambault (@PTSDSLP) have a candid discussion regarding the tragedy in Minnesota and the impact of gun violence in regard to trauma, specifically in schools. Rachel authentically discusses the importance of the language we use and how we can support people who have experienced similar traumas to not continue to re-traumatize. This discussion addresses ways to continue to support those communities that have been affected, even years after tragedy and policies that are important to keep those involved safe. They address how to best support children and families who are asking questions and feel less safe at school as well. As stated before, this conversation can be hard to have and listen to so please listen if and when you feel you are ready and regulated. We acknowledge that the world and these topics can feel incredibly heavy and there is no right way to gain information, grieve, or process. This conversation is nuanced and will continue to be important to have and we hope you can take something from this.