Clinical Experience

Paid Employment

Licensing

I am licensed to practice as a Speech Language Pathologist in the following states:

• Florida: SA22253

Aspire at Lake Mary (SNF)
(Full-time: April 2024-)

Orlando Senior Health Network (SNF)
(Full-time: January 2024-April 2024)

Solaris East Orlando (SNF)
(Full-time: February 2023-January 2024)

CFY Supervisors:

• Lauren Kress, M.A., CCC-SLP
• Melissa Cosgrove-Naftal, M.A., CCC-SLP

During my clinicial fellowship year I am working with adult and geriatric populations at Solaris East Orlando Skilled Nursing Facility (pre-June 2023: AdventHealth East Orlando Skilled Nursing Facility). I have extensive experience in evaluating and treating swallowing disorders, cognitive communication deficits, dysarthria and phonation, and language deficits secondary to stroke and other neurologic conditions.

My role requires adaptability, time management, collaboration with other therapists and staff, and a broad knowledge of speech, language, cognition, and swallowing disorders.

Internships

Orlando VA Medical Center (Full-Time: Summer 2022)

I was a full-time intern at the Orlando VA Medical Center in Lake Nona, FL for the Summer 2022 semester. This 12-week internship gave me experience of different adult populations and clinical settings:

• Inpatient
  • Dysphagia - clinical and instrumental evaluations (dx)
  • Speech screening (dx)

• Outpatient
  • Aphasia (dx & tx)
  • Cognitive-linguistic disorders (dx & tx)
  • Dysphagia - clinical and instrumental evaluations (dx)
  • Tracheoesophageal prosthesis replacement (tx)
  • Videostroboscopic voice evaluation (dx)

Under the supervision of three excellent preceptors, I had much experience documenting diagnostic and treatment sessions, particularly for dysphagia and cognitive-linguistic impairments. I gained a strong working knowledge of the following:

• Videofluoroscopic Swallow Study (VFSS)
• Clinical/Bedside swallow study
• Oral mechanism exam
• Administration and interpretation of the Cognitive Linguistic Quick Test - Plus (CLQT+)
• Interprofessional communication
• Electronic Medical Records system
• Documentation of diagnostic and treatment sessions

First Words Speech Therapy (Part-Time: Fall 2022)

My part-time internship at First Words Speech Therapy took place in the Fall 2022 semester. I worked mainly at a pediatric primary extended care (PPEC) facility in East Orlando. In this setting I evaluated and assessed babies, infants, and children with a wide range of disorders. Predominantly using play-based strategies in therapy, I gained experience in the following areas:

• Articulation
• Language
• Feeding and swallowing
• Oral motor control/coordination

Of high importance in this facility was the need for constant interprofessional collaboration and communication throughout the day with my supervisor and nursing staff so as to ensure patient safety and optimal outcomes. Working in a noisy and fast-paced environment reinforced my appreciation of the benefits of planning and teamwork.

University of Central Florida Communication Disorders Clinic

Treatment

At the UCF Communication Disorders Clinic, I treated clients with fluency disorders, autism spectrum disorder using high-tech augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), and expressive and receptive language disorders. More specifically, I have treated clients with dyslexia and pragmatic language impairments.

In Spring 2022, I was a student clinician in the Intensive Comprehensive Aphasia Program (ICAP) at UCF. ICAP comprises intensive therapy for people with aphasia four days per week. I worked with two young men with moderate and severe aphasia, respectively.

Evaluation

I evaluated clients for AAC and transgender voice modification. I also assisted with hearing tests and cochlear implant recalibration procedures at UCF's Audiology clinic. In ICAP, I administered the Comprehensive Aphasia Test (CAT) in collaboration with student colleagues.