When life hands you lemons, make lemonade, right?

For a lot of SLPs, it can be hard to do that. Maybe we think our job would crumble without us. Maybe we think we have no other choice but to just accept the sour situations life throws at us.

If you’re feeling trapped in a particularly unsavory situation right now, let THIS episode serve as your inspiration and motivation to follow your passion and make the career pivot you’re meant to make. 

Melissa Grassia Chisholm, M.S. CCC-SLP, was working full-time in a hospital when her son was diagnosed with leukemia. With her world completely flipped upside-down, she made the decision to leave her job and build a virtual voice clinic instead so she could be with her son while pursuing her passion.

Tune in to this week’s episode of the Swallow Your Pride Podcast to hear how Melissa did it, what her virtual clinic looks like, her goals to expand globally, and the EXACT moment she knew that leaving her hospital was the right move.

If you or someone you know is searching for affordable and accessible voice therapy, you’re invited to check out Melissa’s virtual clinic at TheVoiceRehab.com. Use the promo code “swallowyourpride” to get 10% off the first month of her Voice Rehab Program!

Episode Website: https://syppodcast.com/328

Listen to more episodes of the Swallow Your Pride Podcast

TIMESTAMPS:

Melissa's Career Background (00:01:05)
Melissa's Vocal Health Struggles (00:06:14)
Leadership Role at Cleveland Clinic (00:08:33)
Transition to Private Practice (00:10:53)
Balancing Family and Career (00:13:06)
Blood Test Results and Hospital Visit (00:15:11)
Leukemia Treatment Journey (00:19:07)
Career Transition and Growth (00:20:04)
Mentorship and Team Building (00:22:01)
Addressing Healthcare Cuts and Virtual Clinic (00:25:42)
Live Group Coaching (00:30:16)
Affordable Teletherapy (00:31:23)
Legal and Medicare Guidelines (00:32:55)
Patient Support and Navigation (00:34:33)
Care in Healthcare (00:36:39)
Inspiring Passion and Support (00:38:45)
Finding Melissa and Future Plans (00:40:27)

The post 328 – The Ultimate Exit Plan: An SLP Who Left Her Facility to Start a Global Virtual Voice Clinic with Melissa Grassia Chisholm appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

You can be a Med SLP outside the walls of the hospital. 

You can ALSO build your own schedule, set your own rates, and see who you WANT to see outside the walls of the hospital.

How? Through private practice!

Private practice isn’t *just* for pediatric therapists. In fact, there could be an argument that there’s an increasing DEMAND for medical SLP private practices.

But what does that look like? How do you get started? Is it realistic for you?

Get ready to dive into the world of private practice with Jena Castro-Casbon, a private practice coach and founder of Independent Clinician. She shares her journey and expertise in empowering SLPs to establish and expand successful private practices focused on THEIR zone of genius.

Ready to hear how you can leverage your Med SLP expertise outside the hospital?

Tune in to this week’s discussion and hear what Jena has to say about it!

The post 327 – What Can Private Practice Look Like for Med SLPS? with Jena Castro-Casbon appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

Have you ever considered jumping into the business side of speech pathology?

While business classes aren’t a part of the SLP curriculum, they SHOULD be. As for now, one of the best ways to learn more about the business practices behind speech-language pathology is to hear from those are are actually doing it!

Ebony Green, M.S., CCC-SLP, is here to help!

Ebony is a Bilingual SLP with experience in school, home health, and private clinic settings. Today she shares her journey from education to entrepreneurship and the valuable lessons she learned along the way that will encourage you to explore entrepreneurship and navigate the business aspects of the profession.

Ready to uncover the business side of being an SLP?

Tune in to this week’s discussion and hear what Ebony has to share about it!

Download the show notes here: https://syppodcast.com/326

The post 326 – Jumping into Business: Tips, Strategies, Suggestions, and More with Ebony Green MS, CCC-SLP appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

Face transplants.

Nope, that’s not just something you see on Grey’s Anatomy. It’s a real procedure and SLPs can support pre-operative evaluations, postoperative rehabilitation, and lifelong happiness for those who undergo this process.

And in this week’s episode of the Swallow Your Pride Podcast, you’ll get to hear from two SLPs who have direct experience with serving this population!

Join Meg Lico and Kaitlin Hanley, both SLPs at NYU Langone Health in New York City, as they share the challenges, triumphs, and profound impact of their collaboration with a surgical team as they navigate the complexities of their roles when serving those who receive a transformative face transplant.

Gain insight into the passion and dedication driving Meg and Kaitlin’s work with craniofacial and facial transplant populations as they advocate for increased awareness and education.

Start challenging the traditional perceptions of speech-language pathology and celebrate the multifaceted expertise of these dedicated professionals. 

Ready to learn how SLPs played a MAJOR role in a groundbreaking face transplant?

Tune in to this week’s discussion and hear what Meg and Kaitlin have to share about it!

Get the show notes for this episode here: https://syppodcast.com/325

Timestamps:
The introduction (00:00:12)
Introducing the speakers (00:01:10)
Preparation for the case (00:02:56)
Post-surgery updates (00:04:49)
Collaboration and patient progress (00:08:21)
Preoperative assessment and strategies (00:09:38)
Inpatient care and progress (00:12:17)
Utilizing research and strategies (00:15:29)
Passive Stretching Therapy (00:18:02)
Collaboration Challenges (00:18:56)
Critical Thinking and Collaboration (00:19:37)
Interdisciplinary Collaboration (00:20:25)
Expertise and Collaboration (00:23:33)
Patient Journey and Preparation (00:25:45)
Specialty Populations (00:31:43)
The lack of awareness about speech pathology (00:35:02)
Challenges in explaining the profession (00:35:44)
The limited understanding of speech pathology (00:36:12)
The profound impact of speech pathology (00:37:33)

The post 325 – Reconstructing Hope with Meg Lico and Kaitlin Hanley appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

Theresa is BACK this week with the recording of the fourth and FINAL day of the Effective SLP workshop! This is where four brilliant SLPs and Medical SLP Collective mentors came together to discuss all-things productivity and share their tips and tools to help medical SLPs do more ON the clock WITHOUT sacrificing their time OFF the clock.

This week, you’ll hear Laura McWilliam’s discussion from night four of The Effective SLP workshop. She shares a helpful leadership and teamwork method she calls the PARTNER method.

Laura outlines how SLPs can apply the components of the PARTNER method to gain a seat at the productivity table and contribute to leadership discussions about workplace productivity standards.

Laura even provided the outline of the PARTNER method inside the free Productivity Playbook that came with this workshop, which you can access along with the entire workshop at medslpcollective.com/effectiveslp 

Tune into this week’s episode and get motivated to make some changes at work to help you accomplish more WITHOUT sacrificing more.

Get the shownotes for this episode here: https://syppodcast.com/324

Timestamps:

The Partner Method (00:01:14)
Leadership and Teamwork (00:02:00)
Rethinking Workflow (00:04:31)
Comprehensive Care (00:08:27)
Data-Driven Change (00:12:39)
Addressing Staffing Challenges (00:15:21)
Balancing Clinical and Non-Clinical Responsibilities (00:17:33)
The Partner Method (00:18:44)
Understanding Leadership (00:19:59)
Planning and Communication (00:20:54)
Asking for Partnership (00:21:51)
Responding to Changes (00:22:48)
Time Efficiency (00:23:51)
Engaging with Team and Leadership (00:24:47)
Engaging in Data (00:25:51)
Continuous Quality Improvement (00:26:57)
Challenges in Leadership (00:29:02)
Navigating the Healthcare Climate (00:36:04)
Leveraging Patient Safety Programs (00:36:28)
Empowering Clinicians for Quality Improvement (00:37:36)
Productivity and Data Analytics (00:39:23)
Work-Life Balance and Career Growth (00:44:25)

The post 324 – You Can Automate That: Productivity and Efficiency Power Moves for MedSLPs appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

In February, the MedSLP collective hosted a free four-day workshop to help medical SLPs accomplish more by doing less!

This week, we’re sharing Day 3 of the workshop on the Swallow Your Pride Podcast!

Who decided that burning out was a badge of honor? There’s a stigma across the board — that in order to succeed as an SLP, we have to push beyond our limit DAILY.

Tune in today to catch Day 3 of the Effective SLP Workshop, where Kelly Caldwell, MA, MS, CCC-SLP, dives into real-world examples and applicable tools to help you work smarter, not harder. Dive into different working styles and learn how to cut your assessment documentation time in half with Kelly’s templates and calculators you can apply to your documentation!

Interested in listening to the entire workshop? You can catch the entire workshop HERE: medslpcollective.com/effectiveslp

Kelly's productivity tips (00:00:56)
Questioning the status quo (00:02:04)
Advocacy and productivity (00:05:00)
EMR and documentation systems (00:07:58)
Scheduling and administrative time (00:13:38)
Productivity and documentation (00:16:40)
Documentation and Standardized Tests (00:18:05)
Use of Smart Phrases and Templates (00:19:18)
Simplifying Documentation and Perspective Taking (00:20:57)
Point of Service Documentation (00:22:42)
Balancing Patient Attention and Documentation (00:23:29)
Automating Documentation (00:26:38)
Overcoming Documentation Challenges (00:29:33)
Continuing Education and Documentation (00:32:08)
Productivity Killers and Self-Care (00:35:04)
Dealing with Personal Challenges (00:36:40)
Documentation Timelines and Grace Periods (00:37:51)
Understanding Payer Policies (00:38:53)
Importance of Root Cause Analysis (00:41:18)
Maximizing Workload Efficiency (00:43:00)
Customizing Documentation Templates (00:46:06)
Self-Care and Grace (00:49:15)
Controlling Response to Chaos (00:51:10)
Workshop Conclusion and Resources (00:53:15)

The post 323 – Tips & Tools to Work Smarter, Not Harder appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

Last month, the MedSLP Collective hosted a free four-day workshop to help medical SLPs accomplish more by doing less!

This week, we’re going to share Day 2 of the workshop on the Swallow Your Pride podcast!

Let’s face it, productivity can be a bit of a maze, with each facility and setting having its own unique calculations and expectations. But fear not, my friends, in today’s episode we’re breaking it all down. 

Tune in so you can hear Kristin Dolan, a seasoned speech pathologist with over two decades of experience under her belt, share her experiences and expertise. With a deep understanding of productivity from both the clinical and managerial perspectives, Kristin offers her wisdom on the inner workings of productivity in our field.

Kristin and Theresa define the differences between productivity & efficiency, share 10 tips to improve your efficiency, and illustrate how you can map out your workdays with the help of a free productivity calculator. 

From deciphering productivity formulas to exploring strategies for efficiency and effectiveness, we’re on a mission to demystify the process and empower you to thrive in your role.

Interested in listening to the entire workshop? You can catch the entire workshop HERE: medslpcollective.com/effectiveslp

Timestamps:

Understanding Productivity (00:00:00)
Accessing Workshop Recordings (00:00:59)
Highlighting Productivity Tips (00:02:15)
Leadership and Teamwork Method (00:03:26)
Discussion on Productivity (00:06:20)
Understanding Productivity and Efficiency (00:09:32)
Empowering Therapists (00:13:51)
Value-Based Systems (00:19:51)
Understanding Productivity Calculation (00:22:46)
Efficiency in Patient Treatment (00:23:30)
Adapting to Patient Needs (00:25:37)
Challenging Productivity Expectations (00:29:21)
Differentiating Managers and Leaders (00:31:43)
Understanding RVUs in Productivity (00:34:22)
Maximizing Efficiency with RVUs (00:38:35)
Tools for Efficient Documentation (00:41:12)
Balancing Efficiency and Quality in Documentation (00:43:35)
The importance of taking time to review repetitive tasks (00:45:35)
Improving department effectiveness (00:46:04)
Utilizing downtime forms for concise documentation (00:47:27)
Reducing decision fatigue and time management (00:49:39)
Delegating tasks and setting priorities (00:50:02)
Analyzing time usage and efficiency (00:54:48)
Understanding productivity calculations and advocating for change (00:55:20)
Managing non-billable but required activities (00:57:31)
Efficiency tools and resources (01:00:07)
MetaSLP Collective membership and support (01:03:14)

The post 322 – Understanding & Calculating Productivity vs. Efficiency appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

You’ve heard “qualified” SLP….
You’ve heard “seasoned” SLP…
But what does it mean to be an “effective” SLP, particularly in the medical space?The truth is: as a medical SLP, you have more power over your productivity than you think.Speech-language pathologist, clinical mentor, and rehabilitation program development specialist, Lysa Johnson, returns to the Swallow Your Pride podcast to join Theresa in discussing a word not too many medical SLPs enjoy: productivity.The pair define, dissect, and discuss what productivity means and how to better control it (instead of letting IT control YOU). So, let’s figure out what productivity means for you, your facility, and maybe even the future of speech pathology.Remember, defining productivity isn’t just about numbers; it’s about setting the stage for change. Whether it’s redefining productivity or just finding better ways to measure success, let’s do it together, one conversation at a time.

Get the show notes for this episode her: https://syppodcast.com/320

Timestamps

The definition of productivity (00:03:30)  
Challenges with productivity (00:04:23)  
The impact of productivity in different settings (00:05:59)  
Understanding pure productivity (00:08:48)  
Nuances of productivity (00:16:29)  
Defining billable and non-billable time (00:21:15) 
The importance of patient screens (00:23:07)  
Understanding productivity and reimbursement meetings (00:24:36)  
Ethical billing practices and productivity (00:26:04)  
The necessity of therapy screens (00:27:54)  
Non-billable but required tasks (00:32:01)  
Unethical practices and fraudulent services (00:34:04)  
Role of speech pathologists in skilled nursing facilities (00:40:56)  
Compliance with labor laws and ethical practices (00:43:11)  
Understanding the rules and regulations (00:46:36)  
Challenges in justifying non-billable time (00:50:12)  
The importance of starting somewhere (00:50:21)  
Ethical concerns and resources (00:51:27)  
Seeking support and resources (00:52:20)  
Interview questions and facility assessment (00:55:46)  
Advocating for change and future generations (00:56:54)  
New CPT codes for family and caregiver training (00:57:57)  
Membership and support for speech-language pathologists (01:00:59)  
Accommodations and onboarding for learning differences (01:07:31) 
Continuing education and resources (01:08:39)  

The post 321 – The Effective SLP: Productivity & Streamlining Success appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

Wondering how to start a medical career with your SLP graduate degree?

Get ready for an episode packed with wisdom and inspiration as Theresa sits down with Chanelle Tignor, M.S., CCC-SLP, discussing her journey from graduate school to her medical career. 

Theresa and Chanelle walk you through the importance of exploring different settings, diving into resources beyond the classroom (helllooo internet!), and remaining curious to learn from your patients and research.

You’ll also get to hear about Chanelle’s future goals and how she aims to own her own practice and mentor the next generation of SLPs. 

Timestamps:

Getting into Graduate School (00:02:26)
Exploring Different Settings (00:01:16)
Importance of Open-mindedness (00:07:15)
Research and Observation (00:09:45)
On-the-Job Learning (00:12:09)
The networking journey (17:58)
Importance of networking (19:08)
Challenges in graduate school (24:42)
Self-study and preceptorship (29:23)
Passion for the profession (32:04)
Finding Passion and Drive (00:34:10)
Career Aspirations (00:35:29)
Gap in Early Intervention (00:38:25)
Standing Out in the Medical Field (00:40:49)
Continuous Learning and Growth (00:46:50)

The post 320 – Becoming A Medical SLP with Chanelle Tignor appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

Adding, subtracting, dividing...we interact with math and numbers on a daily basis.It's more than just algebra skills. Even understanding which price is higher or lower than others is a part of our numeric duties. And SLPs have an important role in helping those with stroke or head injury improve their calculation skills.Which is why I'm SO excited to have Brett McCardel, PhD, SLP on today’s episode of the Swallow Your Pride Podcast!We’re diving deep into a topic that’s often overlooked in clinical discourse…Acalculia.In this episode, we discuss:

The historical context of acalculia
Acalculia’s context & classification
Assessment tools & treatments for acalculia
The complex nuances and implications for daily functioning with acalculia
The intersection of neuroscience, clinical practice, & patient-centered care
Tune in today! 

Get the show notes for this episode here! https://syppodcast.com/319

Timestamps:

Aphasia Rehabilitation Approach (00:03:07)
Neuroanatomy and Functional Mechanism (00:04:55)
Introduction to Acalculia (00:06:42)
Symptoms and Numerical Format (00:08:19)
Interest in Acalculia (00:10:23)
Impact on Quality of Life (00:11:44)
Relationship Between Math and Language (00:14:56)
History and Classification of Acalculia (00:19:12)
The classifications of acalculia (00:23:20)
The impact of acalculia on quality of life (00:26:01)
Assessment objectives for acalculia (00:28:17)
Patient experience with acalculia (00:29:23)
Models for conceptualizing acalculia (00:27:03)
Treatment approaches for acalculia (00:38:02)
Conclusion and call to action (00:43:18)

The post 319 – Moving From Words to Numbers: What SLPs Should Know About Acalculia appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

Oral care has taken on a life of its own in the SLP world, and with good reason! We now know more than ever the importance of good oral hygiene and its impact on health - especially for people with dysphagia.But what can you actually do to move the needle in your facility so patient oral care is a higher priority? Particularly when it comes to preventing non-ventilator hospital-acquired pneumonia (NVHAP).Dr. Erin McCarthy is here to talk all about that in this week’s episode of the Swallow Your Pride Podcast!

Dr. McCarthy, with over 26 years of experience as an SLP specializing in swallowing disorders, shares her journey from working in acute inpatient settings to establishing her own private practice and spearheading initiatives to improve patient care outcomes. She opens up and shares her project on oral care, highlighting the alarming trend of inadequate oral hygiene among hospitalized patients and the subsequent development of NVHAP.Ready to learn about oral health initiatives and spark a healthy change in your facility?Tune in to this week’s discussion to hear what Dr. McCarthy has to say about it!

Get the show notes for this episode here : https://syppodcast.com/318

The post 318 – The SLP’s Role in Oral Health Initiatives: Something to Flap Your Gums About appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.