Medical Speech Pathology Council of California
4/11/2026 - 4/12/2026
LIMITED to 25 participants.
Registering for the wait list will allow you the opportunity to participate if attendees cancel before the day of the course.
THERE WILL BE NO ONSITE REGISTRATION. UNFORTUNATELY, MEMBERS WILL BE TURNED AWAY IF THEY SHOW UP ONSITE TO TRY AND REGISTER.
IMPORTANT PLEASE READ BEFORE SIGNING UP FOR THIS COURSE: A specific number of passes are not guaranteed in the course, however clinicians will be grouped together by experience in order to maximize learning and opportunities to obtain as many passes as appropriate, with emphasis on mentorship and skill-building.
Dr. Jennifer Kizner has been an SLP for 28 years, at Stanford for 25 years, achieved her clinical doctorate in Speech Pathology in 2021, has Board Certification in Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders since 2010, Is an MBS-ImP certified clinician. Has worked on American Board of Swallowing Disorders committees: Exam and PR and mentorship. Worked in acute care for 18.5 years. Was a Stanford inpatient rehab supervisor for 10 years. Currently the clinical specialist in the Stanford multidisciplinary OP head and neck oncology clinic. Jennifer has presented on swallowing disorders and SLPs role in the evaluation and treatment of head and neck cancer at both state and national level. She currently serves on the government advocacy committee for CSHA where she is working on changing the language of the current FEES bill at the California state licensing board so that clinicians can have more access to performing FEES in the settings that services are required. She was a TA for Rocky Mountain University’ SLP clinical doctorate program for Ethics and Supervision courses for 3 years. Has been an expert witness in cases involving dysphagia care.
Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Jennifer is receiving an honorarium from MSCC for this presentation.
Non-financial: Jennifer has an extensive volunteer history with CSHA. She currently serves as a member of the CSHA FEES Committee.
Madison Fox is a medical Speech Pathologist and Manager for the inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services department at Washington Health, in Fremont, California. She began her career with Stanford Health Care in 2017 with a clinical focus on management of complex communication and swallowing disorders for neurogenic and critically ill patient populations. She moved into leadership as the clinical specialist for the inpatient speech pathology team at Stanford in 2021, where she led program development and advocacy efforts targeting service line expansion and advanced practice mentorship. Madison is an experienced lecturer, and has taught the medical speech pathology course at California State University, East Bay, as well as presented on a variety of clinical topics at state and national conferences. Madison served on the board of Directors for CSHA from 2021-2024, and has worked with Dr. Kizner to support FEES training and education opportunities in California. In her spare time, she enjoys camping and singing Beatles songs with her five year old son, Elliott.
Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Madison is receiving an honorarium for this presentation.
Non-financial: Madison has an extensive volunteer history with CSHA. She currently serves as a member of the CSHA FEES Committee.
This course is designed for medical speech-language pathologists (SLPs) seeking to integrate Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) into their clinical practice. It fulfills California state licensing requirements, which mandate 25 observed endoscope passes—10 with a physician and 15 with either a physician or SLP—before independently performing FEES in a medical setting. While the course does not guarantee a specific number of passes, participants will be grouped by experience level to enhance individualized learning, hands-on practice, and mentorship. Emphasis is placed on developing technical competence, clinical judgment, and collaborative skills to ensure safe and effective implementation of FEES within multidisciplinary care.
IMPORTANT PLEASE READ BEFORE SIGNING UP FOR THIS COURSE: A specific number of passes are not guaranteed in the course, however clinicians will be grouped together by experience in order to maximize learning and opportunities to obtain as many passes as appropriate, with emphasis on mentorship and skill-building.
Learning objectives:
- Describe the process of FEES training and competency development within a multidisciplinary model, including collaboration between SLP and ENT mentors, an understanding of California state licensing requirements, and strategies to advocate for program adoption and overcome common organizational barriers.
- Demonstrate knowledge of normal and variant laryngeal and pharyngeal anatomy, and recognize pathological structural and physiological findings that may impact swallowing function as observed during FEES assessment.
- Perform FEES procedures by selecting and preparing appropriate equipment, establishing efficient workflow for setup and PO trials, and applying practical clinical skills such as scope handling, body mechanics, and patient positioning during hands-on endoscopy practice.
- Apply clinical reasoning during FEES to evaluate anatomical and secretion findings, determine the safety of proceeding with or discontinuing the exam, and distinguish between swallow efficiency and safety to inform real-time decision-making.
- Analyze and interpret FEES recordings using standardized rating tools (such as edema scales and the DIGEST-FEES scoring system), describe typical and atypical findings using appropriate clinical terminology, and use data tracking to support documentation and justify FEES program need and value.
Course Schedule and Agenda:
April 11, 2026
8:00-8:30 Registration and Light Breakfast
8:30-9:00 (30 min) Introduction to FEES and Journey to Competency
9:00-10:00 (60 min) Laryngeal/Pharyngeal Anatomy and Pathology
BREAK 10:00-10:15 (15 min)
10:15-11:15 (60 min) FEES Procedure and Assessment
11:15-11:45 (30 min) Scope Handling and Procedure Hands-On Tutorials
LUNCH 11:45-12:15 :Open for Head Model Passing During Lunch
12:15-1:45 (90 min) Scoping practice with ENT/SLP supervision/mentoring
BREAK 1:45 – 2:00 (15 Min)
2:00-3:15 (75 min) Scoping practice with ENT/SLP supervision/mentoring
3:15 – 3:30 Day One Wrap up and Q&A
April 12, 2026
8:00-8:30 Registration and Light Breakfast
8:30-9:00 (60 min) Pre-Swallow Task Assessment Considerations
9:00-10:00 (60 min) FEES Analysis and Measures
BREAK 10:00-10:15
10:15-11:15 (30 min) Case Studies with Analysis and Interpretation
11:15-11:45 (30 min) How to Build a FEES Program
LUNCH 11:45-12:15
Open for Head Model Passing During Lunch
12:15-1:45 (90 min) Scoping practice with ENT/SLP supervision/mentoring
2:00-3:15 (75 min) Scoping practice with ENT/SLP supervision/mentoring
3:15-3:30 Day Two Wrap up – Q&A
Special Requests
We encourage participation by all individuals. If you have a disability or other special requests (visual, hearing, physical, etc.), please indicate your request in the designated section included in registration process. We will do our best to accommodate you, please allow a minimum of 14 days notice to allow us time to process your request.
Refund Policy
Refund requests must be submitted in writing via email. Requests made more than 10 business days prior to course date will be subject to an administration fee of $15 of the registration fee if an additional cost is associated with the course. Membership fees will not be refunded if member is not able to attend conferences that are included with annual fee. Refund requests made less than 10 business days prior to any course that requires an additional fee for the course are subject to a $25 administrative fee. This is to cover the costs associated with the course that have already been accrued based on preregistration. No refunds for non-attendance will be issued on the day of, or after, the conference.
Cancellation Policy
If MSCC cancels a course that requires an additional registration fee, all members who have prepaid for the course will be refunded the registration fee in the form of the original payment within 30 business days of the cancellation of the course. MSCC membership fee will not be refunded.
Satisfaction Guarantee & Complaint Policy
MSCC’s continuing education offerings are designed to help professionals achieve improved performance and results in all areas. If for any reason you are not satisfied with the content and material presented, we encourage you to file a complaint via the process outlined on our website within 30 days of the completion of the course.
Content Disclosures
The content of this course does not focus exclusively on any specific proprietary product or service. Presenter financial and non-financial disclosures may be found in the Presenter & Disclosures area above.
Location: NorthBay Healthcare Admin Offices
4500 Business Center Dr.
Fairfield , CA 94534
There are currently 23 spots remaining out of 25
LIMITED TO 25 ATTENDEES
5/16/2026 - 5/16/2026
Jo Puntil, MS, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, is a highly respected leader in the field of Speech-Pathology, with specialized expertise in Swallowing, Communication, and Cognition disorders in the Intensive Care setting. As an ASHA Fellow and former chair of the Council for Clinical Certification (CFCC), she has made significant contributions to clinical practice, professional standards and interdisciplinary care for her profession.
Jo has an extensive background in national/international lecturing and has a strong presence on platforms like MedBridge and TIMS, where she offers several educational courses. With over 35 years of experience, she has been instrumental in developing interdisciplinary rehabilitation programs focusing on critical and acute care settings. Her numerous honors and publications reflect a deep dedication to advancing knowledge and clinical practice in acute care, making her a valuable resource for both clinicians and researchers in the field.
This course explores the evolving and essential role of Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) in the intensive care unit (ICU), emphasizing their impact on patient outcomes through early intervention and interdisciplinary collaboration. As ICU practices increasingly focus on reducing length of stay, mortality, and co-morbidities, SLPs are uniquely positioned to address complications related to prolonged intubation, sedation, and delirium. Participants will learn how early involvement in swallowing, communication, and cognitive support can help mitigate the effects of Post Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS) and promote improved recovery trajectories.
The course will examine the integration of ICU bundles—particularly the A-F bundle—and highlight the SLP’s role in managing medically complex patients, including those on high-flow oxygen. Practical strategies will be provided for assessing delirium, implementing post-extubation swallow screens, and making critical decisions aligned with patient goals of care. Special attention will be given to pre- and post-operative swallow screening for cardiovascular surgical patients, reinforcing the importance of early and ongoing evaluation.
Additionally, the course will showcase novel treatment approaches used by SLPs in the ICU, including innovative communication strategies for intubated patients (e.g., pharyngeal electrical stimulation, RMST), cognitive-linguistic interventions, and individualized swallowing therapies. The importance of educating ICU nurses and family members to support cognitive and emotional recovery will be emphasized, equipping participants to advocate for and implement cutting-edge, patient-centered speech pathology care in critical settings. By the end of the session, attendees will have a deeper understanding of the vital contributions of Speech Pathology in the ICU and leave with practical tools and insights to enhance communication, cognition, and overall recovery for critically ill patients.
Instructional Level: Intermediate Target Audience: Speech language Pathologists
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Learner Objectives:
- Identify the 6 key components of the A-F ICU Bundle
- Differentiate at least 2 differences between hypoactive and hyperactive delirium and what the Speech Pathologist can do to assist in the patient’s recovery.
- Analyze the appropriate time to screen for swallowing post extubation.
- Distinguish the timing and goal for a clinical swallowing evaluation for respiratory compromised patients
- Describe the SLP’s role in educating/counseling patients and care partners in the ICU environment
8 -8:30 - Continental Breakfast & Registration
8:30 - Course begins
60 minutes - ICU Team, roles and responsibilities, prevalence of patient’s morbidity and mortality
60 minutes - A-F bundle and the Role of the Speech Pathologist, what does delirium have to do with anything?
15 minute break
60 minutes - Speech and Swallow Evaluation in the ICU what do we cover, when to we get involved.
30 minute lunch
60 minutes -:Case Studies of Clinical Decision Making: To eat or not to Eat that is the question
15 minute break
60 minutes - Novel Treatment in the ICU, what can we do to help patients.
45 minutes - Mentoring ICU staff, education to staff, families,
15 minutes - Q and A
3:30 pm course conclusion
Special Requests
We encourage participation by all individuals. If you have a disability or other special requests (visual, hearing, physical, etc.), please indicate your request in the designated section included in registration process. We will do our best to accommodate you, please allow a minimum of 14 days notice to allow us time to process your request.
Refund Policy
Refund requests must be submitted in writing via email. Requests made more than 10 business days prior to course date will be subject to an administration fee of $15 of the registration fee if an additional cost is associated with the course. Membership fees will not be refunded if member is not able to attend conferences that are included with annual fee. Refund requests made less than 10 business days prior to any course that requires an additional fee for the course are subject to a $25 administrative fee. This is to cover the costs associated with the course that have already been accrued based on preregistration. No refunds for non-attendance will be issued on the day of, or after, the conference.
Cancellation Policy
If MSCC cancels a course that requires an additional registration fee, all members who have prepaid for the course will be refunded the registration fee in the form of the original payment within 30 business days of the cancellation of the course. MSCC membership fee will not be refunded.
Satisfaction Guarantee & Complaint Policy
MSCC’s continuing education offerings are designed to help professionals achieve improved performance and results in all areas. If for any reason you are not satisfied with the content and material presented, we encourage you to file a complaint via the process outlined on our website within 30 days of the completion of the course. Click Here for Policy
Content Disclosures
The content of this course does not focus exclusively on any specific proprietary product or service. Presenter financial and non-financial disclosures may be found in the Presenter & Disclosures area above.
Location: Sutter Roseville Medical Center
1 Medical Plaza Dr.
Roseville, CA 95661
Assistance...