Live
broadcast (one-time viewing only): September 18, 2025,
1:00–3:00 p.m.
Eastern time
Last
chance to sign
up: September 18, 2025, Noon, Eastern
time
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participate in the live broadcast? Check out the on-demand
version, available
through the ASHA Learning Pass subscription or as an a la carte
purchase.
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Description:
SLPs in
health care settings navigate the complex balance of providing quality care in
the context of real-world constraints. This course will provide practical
guidance on partnering with administrators to create change with confidence and
clarity. In this conversational course, SLPs and their directors will share
examples and insights from their unique perspectives for building and
maintaining collaborative relationships and driving positive change.
Learning
Outcomes
You will
be able to:
- Identify changeable factors that
influence clinical autonomy within your organization
- Describe operational and
regulatory factors that inform administrative priorities and
decision-making
- Use a collaborative, structured
approach to present clinical concerns or suggest changes in ways that support
patient outcomes and organizational priorities
Presenter
Information
Bethany Alt, COTA/L, CSRS, is a Regional Manager with Flagship Rehabilitation, where she has proudly served for nearly 20 years. A Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) by background, she holds clinical specialties
in lymphedema management, stroke rehabilitation, and dementia care.
She began her career
with Flagship as a treating clinician and steadily advanced through leadership
roles including Director of Rehabilitation and Compliance Officer. In her
current role, she oversees therapy services across 15 senior living communities
throughout the Mid-Atlantic region, supporting teams in delivering
high-quality, patient-centered care.
Based in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, she is married with three children and is passionate
about mentoring clinicians and fostering excellence in geriatric
rehabilitation.
Disclosures:
- Financial compensation from ASHA for this course
Abigail Culbertson, MS, CCC-SLP, is a licensed speech-language
pathologist, specializing in adult and geriatric care within skilled nursing
and long-term care settings. Her experience focuses on providing evaluation and
treatment for individuals with swallowing disorders, cognitive-communication
impairments, and speech-language challenges related to stroke, dementia, and
other neurologic conditions. With a strong focus on person-centered care,
Abigail is committed to preserving dignity and quality of life for the aging
populations. She enjoys and encourages working closely with interdisciplinary
team members to develop functional and achievable treatment plans that align
with patients’ goals and family needs. Outside of work, she enjoys
spending time with her family, soaking up the sun at the beach, and trying new
recipes.
Disclosures:
- Financial compensation from ASHA
for
this course
Cherie M. French, MS, CCC-SLP, is a speech-language pathologist and
neurological rehabilitation specialist with over 35 years of experience in
speech-language pathology and a 30-year commitment to the Lee Health System in
Fort Myers, Florida. Cherie has built a career defined by compassion, clinical
excellence, and unwavering dedication to her patients. Her work spans multiple
health care settings, where she has become a trusted expert in treating adults
with neurological conditions. Cherie specializes in the evaluation and
treatment of aphasia, dysphagia, motor speech disorders, voice impairments, and
cognitive-linguistic challenges. Her approach is enriched by advanced
certifications, including SPEAK OUT! for Parkinson’s voice therapy,
MBSImp for swallowing assessment, and FEES (Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing) training. While her primary focus is adult care, Cherie has also
extended her expertise to pediatric patients, particularly those recovering
from concussions in outpatient settings. Outside the clinic, Cherie is a proud
wife to John and mother to Wyatt, a spirited 16-year-old. She finds joy in the
rhythm of alternative 80s music, the thrill of college football Saturdays, and
the balance of pilates and paddleboarding. Her life reflects the same energy
and resilience she brings to her work—grounded, passionate, and
always moving forward.
Disclosures:
- Salary from Lee
Health
- Financial compensation from ASHA
for
this course
Amy Kirchner, MA, CCC-SLP, is a Certified Dementia Practitioner and
licensed SPEAK OUT! provider with 23 years of clinical and 25 years of
leadership experience. She is known for her patient-centered care, high standards,
and solution-focused collaboration. Amy helps families navigate care while
preserving skilled need and medical necessity, offering practical solutions
when resources are limited—all grounded in a strong commitment to
clinical integrity. She partners with SLPs across facilities to promote
consistency and best practices while advancing clinical skills. Her team
introduced FEES in outpatient care and expanded services for patients with
obstructive sleep apnea in collaboration with Lee Health physicians. She also
coordinated group REST (Robust Esophageal Screening Test) training to drive
diagnostic precision and system-wide improvements. Before joining Lee Health,
Amy implemented the National Dysphagia Diet hospital-wide and led a yearlong,
multidisciplinary fall risk initiative. She also served on the Master Clinician Advisory Board for over a decade at Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital, now part
of Northwestern Medicine. Amy thrives on lifelong learning, often asking,
“Why not?” She’s a proud wife, mom of four (ages
13–27), fur mama to Roxy, and will test for her second Dan black belt
in taekwondo in October 2025.
Disclosures:
- Salary from Lee Health
- Financial compensation from ASHA
for this course
Assessment
Type
Self-assessment—Think
about what you learned and report on the Completion Form how you will use your
new
knowledge.
To earn continuing education credit, you must complete the learning assessment by 11:59 p.m. ET on September 20, 2025.
Program
History and CE Information
Live
webinar: September 18, 2025
1:00–3:00 p.m. Eastern time
This course is offered for 0.2 ASHA CEUs (Intermediate level, Related area).
