Debra M. Suiter, Ph.D., CCC-SLP is a Professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Kentucky, where she has taught graduate-level courses in dysphagia and motor speech disorders. Her research focuses on screening and assessment of oropharyngeal dysphagia, including co-development of the Yale Swallow Protocol, and on developing a consensus definition of dysphagia in older adults. Dr. Suiter has published extensively, presented nationally and internationally, and has served in leadership roles within the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. She is committed to bridging research and clinical practice and to preparing the next generation of speech-language pathologists through innovative, evidence-based teaching