Tammy earned her Master’s Degree in Speech Language Pathology from Murray State University in Murray, Kentucky in 1991. She is a member of the University of Kentucky Medical Center's Hospital Ethics Committee, a member of the Dysphagia Research Society, an International Association of Laryngectomee Alaryngeal Speech Instructor, a Lee Silverman Certified Clinician and a Board Certified Specialist in Swallowing Disorders.  She lectures at local and state conferences and meetings on the topics of Dysphagia and Evaluation and Treatment of Communication and Swallowing Disorders Associated with Head and Neck Cancer.

Educational Focus

Tammy’s provides supervision to graduate students in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders with an interest in evaluation and treatment of swallowing disorders, voice and upper airway disorders and evaluation and treatment of head and neck cancer patients.

Scholarly Interests

Tammy contributes to translational and evidenced-based research in the areas of voice and swallowing disorders particularly in disorders associated with head and neck cancer. 

Clinical Interests

Clinical interests include evidence based evaluation and treatment of dysphagia, voice and swallowing disorders associated with aging, neurological disorders, and head and neck cancer as well as upper airway disorders including chronic cough and paradoxical vocal fold dysfunction. Tammy’s has a special interest in medical bioethics as it relates to the care and treatment of patients with swallowing disorders and head and neck cancer.

Presentations              

·         Understanding the Videofluoroscopic Swallow Study:  Grand Rounds Presentation to Medical College of Wisconsin Department of Radiology, April 2013.
·         Reality Check: Exploring Standardization in Dysphagia Management; Wisconsin Speech Language and Hearing Association Annual Convention, February 2012.
·         Ethics in the Treatment of Swallowing Disorders; Co-presented with Joel H. Blumin MD  as part 2 of a 4 part Dysphagia Lecture Series, May 2011
·         Food for Thought, A Discussion of Ethics in the Management of Swallowing Disorders; Co-presented with Joel H. Blumin MD at the Wisconsin Speech Language and Hearing Association Annual Convention, February 2010.
·         The Impact of Tracheotomy on Swallowing Function; Co-presented with Mark R Finfrock, RRT/EMT as part 6 of a 6 part Dysphagia Lecture Series November 2110.
·         Introduction to Adult Tracheotomy: Who, Why, How, and What Now? Co-presented with Joel H. Blumin MD at the Wisconsin Speech, Language and Hearing Association Annual Convention, February 2009.
·         Laryngectomee 101; A Primer for Clinicians; Presented at the Wisconsin Speech Language and Hearing Association Annual Convention in Madison Wisconsin February 2007.
·         Communication Rehabilitation After Laryngectomy; Collaborating with the Speech Language Pathologist; Presented at the 30th Annual Fitzhugh Otolaryngology Symposium at the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA June, 2006
·         Laryngectomee 101; A Primer for Clinicians; Presented at the Speech Language and Hearing Association Annual Convention in Williamsburg VA March 2006.
·         Differential Diagnosis of Neurologically Based Voice Disorders; Grand Rounds Presentation to the University of Virginia Otolaryngology Department; January 2006
·         Evaluation and Treatment of Dysphagia in the Head and Neck Cancer Population; Presented to the University of Virginia Graduate Level Dysphagia Class; December 2005
·         Total Rehabilitation of the Laryngectomee; Presented to the University of Virginia Graduate Level Voice Disorders Class; November 2005
·         Survivorship After Total Layngectomee; Grand Rounds Presentation to the University of Virginia Department of Rehabilitation; October 2005.
·         Bodily Changes After Laryngectomee; Presented at the International Association of Laryngectomee’s 45nd Annual Voice Institute in Boston, MA; August. 2005.
·         Tracheoesophageal Voice Prosthesis Placement and Troubleshooting; Grand Rounds Presentation to the University of Virginia Otolaryngology Department, July 2005.
·         Dysphagia After Treatment for Head and Neck Cancer; Presented to the University of Virginia Radiation Oncology Training Program; May 2005.
·         Communication Disorders in the Head and Neck Cancer Population; Presented to the University of Virginia Radiation Oncology Training Program; April 2005.
·         Communication and Swallowing Disorders in Tracheostomy and Ventilator Dependent Patients; Co-presented with Mark Finfrock RT staff respiratory therapist at the University of Virginia to the University of Virginia Graduate Level Dysphagia Class; November 2004
·         Bodily Changes After Laryngectomee; Presented at the International Association of Laryngectomee’s 44nd Annual Voice Institute in Anaheim, CA. July 2004
·         Evaluation and Treatment of Voice Disorders; Grand Rounds Presentation to the University of Virginia Otolaryngology Department; May 2004
·         Evaluation and Treatment of Dysphagia in the Acute Care Setting; Presented to the University of  Virginia Graduate Level Dysphagia Class; March 2004
·         Vocal Hygiene; Co-presented with Dr. James Burns; Former Director of the University of Virginia Department of Laryngology, to the Monticello Tour Guides; September 2003
·         Vocal Hygiene for Singers: Co-presented with Dr. James Burns; Former Director of University of Virginia Department of Laryngology to the Ashlawn Opera Company; August 2003
·         Stoma Care for Laryngectomees; Presented at the University of Virginia’s Laryngectomee Patient Conference; August 2003.
·         Tracheoesophageal Voice Prosthesis Placement and Troubleshooting; Grand Rounds Presentation to the University of Virginia Otolaryngology Department, August 2003
·         Bodily Changes After Laryngectomee; Presented at the International Association of Laryngectomee’s 43nd Annual Voice Institute in Atlanta GA, BC July 2003
·         Laryngeal Cancer; Presented to the University of Virginia Graduate Level Voice Disorders Class, July 2003
·         The Role of the Speech Pathologist in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Voice Disorders; Presented at the XXVII Annual Fitzhugh Otolaryngology Symposium at the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA June, 2003
·         Bodily Changes After Laryngectomee; Presented at the International Association of Laryngectomee’s 42nd Voice Institute in Vancouver, BC July, 2002

Publications

-          “Human Papilloma Virus and Head and Neck Cancer”; Whispers on the Web January 2008
-          “The Sisters”; Headlines Kirklin Clinic Head & Neck Cancer Support, Birmingham, AL First Quarter, 2008
-          “Using a Suction Machine”; Headlines Kirklin Clinic Head & Neck Cancer Support, Birmingham, AL Forth Quarter, 2007
-           “That’s A Hard Pill to Swallow!” (three part article; Voice Points Webwhispers Journal; May, June and July 2004
-          “Cancer Sucks!” Webwhispers Journal; October 2003