About
I am a certified Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) specializing in the evaluation and treatment of swallowing (dysphagia), voice, language (aphasia), and cognitive-communication disorders. My clinical interests include voice disorders, dysarthria, and dysphagia related to stroke, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and head and neck cancer. I support communication access through individualized assessment and implementation of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems.
I serve as part of the multidisciplinary ALS Center at Keck Medicine of USC, designated as an ALS Center of Excellence, and collaborate with the Keck Medical Parkinsons Disease Center of Excellence to provide coordinated, multidisciplinary care. My current roles include both outpatient and acute care placements at Keck Hospital and USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center. My clinical focus includes neurogenic populations, with particular attention to movement disorders and complex swallowing, speech, and voice needs following head and neck cancer.
I have previously provided acute care services at Garfield Medical Center in Monterey Park, CA, with emphasis on the use of professional medical interpretation services and culturally responsive care for linguistically diverse patient populations.
I completed my Clinical Fellowship in 2011 at CORE Health Care (now Mentis Neuro Health) in Dripping Springs, TX, where I focused on community reintegration for individuals recovering from stroke and TBI. I hold the Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS) credential and earned a Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of North Texas, as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Texas at Austin. I maintain certification through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) with a Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP).
My advanced training includes Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT-LOUD), SPEAK OUT! for Parkinson’s and related disorders, and the use of fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) and videofluoroscopic swallow studies (VFSS) in the diagnosis and management of dysphagia. I have completed coursework in the ARK-J method for trismus and jaw mobility as well as Fast and Functional (FNFT) training for temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and orofacial pain. I am also trained in the McNeil Dysphagia Treatment Program (MDTP).
In addition to clinical practice, I lead educational presentations for colleagues and interdisciplinary teams on topics including behavior strategies to support patient engagement, maximizing functional outcomes in Parkinson’s Disease, and updates in dysphagia management. Teaching and clinical supervision are central to my work, and I actively mentor graduate students and Clinical Fellows.
Outside of work, I enjoy hiking and camping throughout the diverse and scenic landscapes of Southern California.
Back to Basics Med SLP 