Understanding Dysphagia - Neurodegenerative Diseases

Michelle Dawson, MS, CCC-SLP, CLC, a speech-language pathologist in Staunton, VA, is the acclaimed host of “First Bite: Fed, Fun, Functional” a weekly Speech Therapy Podcast that addresses “all thangs” Pediatric Speech Therapy, and is presented by SpeechTherapyPD.com. Michelle authored, "Chasing the Swallow: Truth, Science, and Hope for Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing Disorders". She is an accomplished lecturer; traveling across the nation delivering courses on best practices for the evaluation and treatment of the medically complex infant, toddlers, and children with respect to their pediatric oropharyngeal dysphagia, pediatric feeding disorder, as well as language acquisition within the framework of Early Intervention. She has served as the Treasurer for the Council of State Association Presidents, is a Past President of the South Carolina Speech, Language, and Hearing Association, a 2017 graduate of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s Leadership Development Program, a 2020 recipient of the Pediatric Feeding Disorder Awareness Champion from Feeding Matters, a 2021 recipient of the Louis M. DiCarlo Award for Outstanding Clinical Achievement from the South Carolina Speech, Language, and Hearing Association, a 2021 recipient of the State Clinical Achievement Award from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s Foundation, recognized as an ASHA Innovator in 2023, and nine-time recipient of American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s ACE Award for continuing education.

Maggie Donaker is a Medical Speech-Language Pathologist who specializes in a range of diagnoses including dysphagia, speech and dysarthria, and cognitive- communication. She has worked in the acute and subacute settings. Maggie attended Ohio University for her Bachelor’s of Science and received her Master’s of Science from Bowling Green State University. Due to her passion for providing an excellent standard of care, she has earned and been awarded 7 ASHA ACE Awards, which are given to those that complete over 70 contact hours in a six month period of continuing education per year. Maggie was also a guest on The Swallow Your Pride Podcast Episode 117, which has been downloaded over 12,000 times. Maggie is a board member of the Dysphagia Outreach Project, a non-profit organization that provides service and supplies to those with dysphagia. Maggie is a facilitator for Dysphagia Digest of Florida, the only swallowing support group supported by the National Foundation of Swallowing Disorders (NFOSD) in the state of Florida. Maggie is also looking forward to publication of recent research and presenting at her state convention.

Katie Gollin is a Medical Speech-Language Pathologist who currently works full time in the acute care setting and has experience in inpatient rehab and skilled nursing settings. She specializes in various diagnoses including dysphagia, speech-language, and cognitive-communication. Katie attended Central Michigan University for her Bachelor’s and received her Master’s in Speech Language Pathology from The University of Toledo in Ohio. She is a first time ACE Award winner because she wholeheartedly believes in providing the best care for her patients. She was featured on the Swallow Your Pride Podcast. Katie is the Director of Communications for Dysphagia Outreach Project, as she is passionate about helping all persons with dysphagia to receive the help and care they need to improve their quality of life.