2025 ESSD Board of Directors Candidates
Voting for the 2025 ESSD Board of Directors is open between 25 September to 2 October. There are 7 positions open. The members who receive the most votes and will be recommended to the General Assembly on 9 October for confirmation. The following members have been nominated and are eligible to run (in alphabetical order):
- Anush Babayan
- Ivy Cheng*
- Javier Hurtado-Oliva
- Gerasimos Milathianakis
- Ozan Ozgursoy
- Julie Regan*
- Stephanie Riera*
- Nathalie Rommel*
- Renée Speyer*
- Susana Vaz-Freitas
- Sarah Wallace*
- Kelly Weir
Please scroll down to view their candidate profiles.
*Current board members and their terms may be found here.
If you have any questions, please contact us at info@essd.org.
Anush Babayan (SLP)
Armenia
Education
Diploma / Specialist degree
Current Work
Medical centre Astghik/Speech language Therapist
Armenian speech Therapists' Association/president
Summary of Professional experience, teaching, and research
I am a speech and language therapist with professional experience in assessment and rehabilitation of patients with aphasia, dysphagia, dysarthria, and other communication and swallowing disorders. My work includes clinical practice, development of culturally adapted diagnostic protocols, and interdisciplinary collaboration with medical specialists. I am also a member of the WHO Armenia Rehabilitation Working Group, organize conferences and seminars for speech-language therapists, and conduct research, including the adaptation and implementation of the FEES protocol for the Armenian diet.
Activity in ESSD and other societies
President of the Armenian Speech Therapists' Association, member of ESSD, member of ESLA
Ideas for ESSD
International “Tool Branding”
Create and disseminate unified, co-developed standards and protocols for dysphagia, recognized across multiple countries.
Ivy Cheng (SLP)
Hong Kong SAR, China
Education
2018: PhD, University of Hong Kong
2009-2013: BSc(Hons) in Speech & Hearing Sciences
Current Work
Assistant Professor at University of Hong Kong
Summary of Professional experience, teaching, and research
I have been active in dysphagia research since 2012. My area of research interest is in neuromodulation treatment for dysphagia. I have published over 30 peer-reviewed papers in the field. I teach 2 undergraduate speech therapy courses at University of Hong Kong. In additiona, I teach 2 postgraduate courses at University of Leuven, Belgium, as visiting professor.
Activity in ESSD and other societies
I have been serving as Board Member and on the Executive Committee the Secretary since 2023. I am also responsible for maintaining ESSD social media platforms."
Ideas for ESSD
I wish for ESSD to continue to strive to be the leading dysphagia society in the world, provide quality education for the public and serve as a medium for professionals to connect and enrich their professional knowledge.
Javier Hurtado-Oliva (SLP)
Netherlands
Education
2022 to date
PhD Candidate.
Faculty of Medical Sciences. University of Groningen (The Netherlands).
Research Institute: Mechanisms of Health, Ageing and Disease (MoHAD), Program Development and Ageing.
Department of Otorhinolaryngology / Head and Neck Surgery, University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG).
Promotors: G.B. Halmos, and R. Steenbakkers. Co-promotors: J. Wedman, and I. Wegner.
Research project: “Explore the predictors of pre- and post-treatment malnutrition and dysphagia in head and neck cancer and its relation to age and frailty”.
2025
University Teaching Qualification (BKO).
Certification of teaching competence in Dutch higher education.
University of Groningen, The Netherlands.
2019 to 2020
Master in Swallowing Disorders.
Universidad Autónoma of Barcelona (Spain), and European Society for Swallowing Disorders (ESSD).
2019
European Society for Swallowing Disorders (ESSD) Accreditation Programme for Screening and Clinical Swallow Evaluation for Oropharyngeal Dysphagia.
2018 to 2019
Post-graduate Diploma in Biostatistics and Applied Epidemiology.
Faculty of Public Health, Universidad de Chile. Santiago (Chile).
2017 to 2019
European Society for Swallowing Disorders (ESSD) Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) Accreditation Program for Neurogenic and Geriatric Oropharyngeal Dysphagia.
- Accreditation as FEES Practitioner.
- Workshop (Sept. 2017): Mataró Hospital. Barcelona (Spain).
- Training (Jan. to Feb. 2019): University Medical Centre of Maastricht (MUMC), Maastricht (The Netherlands). Department of Otorhinolaryngology / Head and Neck Surgery. Supervisor: MD PhD Laura Baijens.
2017
Fellowship in Speech and Swallow Therapy.
University Medical Centre Groningen (UMCG). Groningen (The Netherlands).
Department of Otorhinolaryngology (ENT) / Head and Neck Surgery. Supervisor: Dr. J. Wedman.
2016
Masters Degree in University Teaching.
Faculty of Education, Universidad Mayor. Temuco (Chile).
2014
Post-graduate Diploma in Clinical Research Method.
Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile. Santiago (Chile).
2009
Post-graduate Diploma in Neuropsychology and Neuropsychiatry in Adults.
Faculty of Psychology, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Santiago (Chile).
Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile. Santiago (Chile).
2003 to 2007
Degree in Speech and Language Therapy.
Faculty of Odontology, Universidad Mayor. Santiago, (Chile)."
Current Work
Department of Otorhinolaryngology / Head and Neck Surgery, University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), the Netherlands.
Departamento de Fonoaudiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Chile.
Summary of Professional experience, teaching, and research
I am a speech-language pathologist with over 17 years of combined clinical, academic, and research experience, with expertise in dysphagia and malnutrition in head and neck cancer. Clinically, I have worked across hospital, rehabilitation, and intensive care settings, providing comprehensive swallowing assessment and rehabilitation, implementing standardized protocols, and training multidisciplinary teams in evidence-based dysphagia management. In 2019, I became the first ESSD-accredited FEES practitioner, reflecting my commitment to advancing instrumental swallowing assessment and international standards in clinical practice.
Academically, I have served as a lecturer and program coordinator in Chile, teaching undergraduate and postgraduate courses, supervising clinical internships, and contributing to national accreditation processes with the Chilean National Accreditation Commission. I hold master’s degrees in Swallowing Disorders and University Teaching, recently obtained the University Teaching Qualification (UTQ) in the Netherlands, and currently supervise Master of Medicine students at UMCG in the development of their research theses.
At present, I am a PhD candidate and researcher at the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), under the supervision of Dr. Gyorgy B. Halmos, Dr. Roel Steenbakkers, Dr. Inge Wegner, and Dr. Jan Wedman, focusing on swallowing muscle mass, sarcopenia, and frailty in head and neck cancer. My doctoral project is supported by a highly competitive national scholarship from the Chilean National Research and Development Agency (ANID), awarded to a select group of PhD candidates abroad. My research is embedded within the departments of Otorhinolaryngology / Head and Neck Surgery, Radiation Oncology, and Radiology. Beyond my doctoral work, I collaborate internationally with Prof. Katherine Hutcheson (MD Anderson Cancer Center), Dr. Heather Starmer (Stanford University), Prof. Renée Speyer (University of Galway), and Prof. Reinie Cordier (Curtin University).
My contributions have been recognized with awards such as the ESSD Best Paper Award (Q2, 2025) and Best Poster Award (ESSD Congress 2024). I have delivered more than 55 scientific contributions, including 26 invited lectures and 29 peer-reviewed presentations at international forums such as the Dysphagia Research Society (DRS), ESSD, Sociedad Latinoamericana de Disfagia (SLAD), International Academy of Oral Oncology (IAOO), and University Health Network Toronto. Notably, in 2025 I was invited by the UCL Head and Neck Academic Centre (HNAC) to lecture on frailty and sarcopenia in dysphagia, underscoring international recognition of my expertise.
Activity in ESSD and other societies
Within the European Society for Swallowing Disorders (ESSD), I have been an active member since 2017, participating in annual meetings, presenting original research, and contributing to the Society’s scientific visibility. My work has been recognized with the ESSD Best Paper Award (2025) and Best Poster Presentation (2024). In 2019, I became the first ESSD-accredited FEES practitioner, reflecting my commitment to advancing instrumental swallowing assessment and setting international standards in clinical practice.
Beyond ESSD, I am also engaged with international societies. I am a member of the Dysphagia Research Society (DRS), where I have presented peer-reviewed abstracts and served as a trainee panelist in 2025. I am also an active member of the Sociedad Latinoamericana de Disfagia (SLAD), contributing to knowledge exchange between Europe and Latin America, and I hold membership in the International Society of Geriatric Oncology (SIOG), which supports my research at the intersection of ageing, frailty, and dysphagia.
In Chile, I serve on the Scientific Ethical Committee of the Chilean Society of Speech-Language Therapy (SOCHIFO) and contribute as a Section Editor for Dysphagia in the Revista Chilena de Fonoaudiología. I am also a member of the IDDSI Reference Group in Chile, ensuring implementation and dissemination of international standards in diet texture and fluid consistency modifications.
Through these activities, I have built strong international networks, contributed to knowledge dissemination, and supported the translation of research into clinical practice.
Ideas for ESSD
As a Board member, I would aim to contribute to the consolidation and further growth of ESSD by supporting opportunities in three main areas:
1. Strengthening international collaboration:
ESSD has already established itself as a leading society in dysphagia, and there are opportunities to continue expanding its global visibility. With active roles in Latin America and collaborations with leading institutions and universities, I can help foster cross-continental exchanges and collaborations. Linking ESSD more closely with societies such as SLAD could further increase knowledge exchange and representation from emerging regions, building on the Society’s growing international presence.
2. Supporting education and accreditation:
The ESSD accreditation programs are important contributions to clinical practice. Having been the first ESSD-accredited FEES practitioner back in 2019, I am committed to supporting the continued strengthening and dissemination of these programs. Opportunities exist to further harmonize training, enhance accessibility, and expand resources, for example through short educational formats or integration with local initiatives. I would like to contribute to these ongoing efforts, ensuring that ESSD maintains its role as a benchmark for training and quality standards.
3. Promoting research and early-career development:
ESSD has become a key platform for scientific exchange. With my background in the study of swallowing muscle mass, sarcopenia, frailty, and head and neck cancer, I can contribute to ongoing initiatives in research dissemination and guideline development. At the same time, I see opportunities to continue expanding support for early-career researchers and clinicians, for example by reinforcing mentorship, presentation opportunities, and networking activities at ESSD meetings.
Overall, I see my role as helping to build on the strong foundations that ESSD has already developed. Through international collaboration, education and accreditation, and research support, I would aim to contribute to further strengthening ESSD’s visibility, inclusivity, and impact in the coming years.
Gerasimos Milathianakis (SLP)
Greece
Education
* Speech and Language Therapy, Bsc
* Master in Public Health and Health Services Management (MPH)
* PhD Candidate, Medical School, Intensive Care Unit
Current Work
Speech & Language Therapist, Feeding & Swallowing Specialist
Summary of Professional experience, teaching, and research
* 15 years of clinical experience as Speech and Language Therapist:
Present:
- Private clinical practice, Greece
- External collaborator / Speech and Language Therapist, Feeding and Swallowing specialist - Psychiatry Clinic of University Hospital Of Heraklion in Crete, Greece
- Teaching experience: Nutrition and Dietetics Department students - Introduction in swallowing and feeding disorders - 1 yearly lecture
- Private lectures, workshops and supervisions of other professionals
Past:
- Employee in a pediatric setting in Dubai, UAE
- Scientific associate / Speech and Language Therapist, Feeding and Swallowing specialist - ENT Clinic of University Hospital Of Heraklion in Crete, Greece
- Private Interdisciplinary Swallowing Team (FEES & VFSS examinations) - Heraklion, Crete, Greece
- Scientific associate / Speech and Language Therapist - Laboratory of Interdisciplinary Approaches to the Enhancement of Quality of Life (Quality of Life Lab), Faculty of Health and Care, Hellenic Mediterranean University, Greece (HMU)
* Basic Life Support, Certified Provider"
Activity in ESSD and other societies
Present:
* SELLE (Association of Scientists of Speech Pathology /Speech Therapy of Greece)
- Previous and current member of Scientific Committee, Swallowing and Feeding Disorders (Dysphagia) SIG
- Previous Geographical Representative of Crete
- Previous member of Scientific Committee, Research Group
- Previous member of Scientific Committee, Journal Committee
* IDDSI (International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative)
- Regional Co-Leader of Greece
* ESSD member
Past:
* Postgraduate Alumni Association of the University of Crete - Treasurer of the Board of Directors
- Responsible for financial issues and economic management
- Responsible member for organizing events, seminars and
conferences for the Association
Ideas for ESSD
*Clinical trainings for professionals around Europe, mostly for small countries
*Mentorships for professionals
*Expand the network through disciplines (ENT, Radiologist, physiotherapists etc) - collaboration with national and international societies
*Local summer & winter schools
* Regional leaders/country representatives
*Special Interest Groups (pediatric, geriatric, Stroke, etc)
Ozan Ozgursoy (MD)
Turkey
Education
Degree: MD, Hacettepe University Medical School Ankara, TURKEY (1998)
Residency: Otolaryngology; Ankara University Medical School, Ankara, TURKEY (2004)
Observerships:
• University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR (1-month, 2003)
• House Ear Institute, Los Angeles, CA (6 weeks, 2004 & 2007)
Fellowships (hands on via state medical licence):
• Otolaryngology clinical research fellowship, Mayo Clinic FL (2008-9)
• Voice and Swallowing Surgery Fellowship, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta GA (2009)
• Head and Neck Oncologic Surgery Fellowship, Wayne State Uni, MI (2010-11)
• Thyroid Parathyroid Surgery Fellowship, Johns Hopkins Uni, MD (2013-14)
Visiting Professor: Nemours Pediatric ENT Clinic, Wolfson Children’s Hospital, Jacksonville FL (3-months, 2017)
Current Work
Full Professor of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery at Ankara University Medical School, Ankara, TURKIYE
Summary of Professional experience, teaching, and research
Clinical research scientist (Swallowing Disorders) at ENT Mayo Clinic FL (2008-9)
Fellow surgeon at Voice and Swallowing Center of ENT at Medical College of Georgia, Augusta GA (2009)
Fellow head and neck surgeon at ENT Wayne State Uni, Michigan (2010-11)
Fellow endocrine surgeon at ENT Johns Hopkins Uni, MD (2013-14)
Visiting Professor: Nemours Pediatric ENT Clinic, Wolfson Children’s Hospital, Jacksonville FL (3-months, 2017)
Activity in ESSD and other societies
President of Turkish Laryngology Society
Chair of Turkish ENT Medical Exam Board
Vice President of Turkish Robotic Head and Neck Surgery Society
Vice president of Turkish Swallowing Research Society
Member of American Head and Neck Surgery Society
Member of Turkish Otolaryngology Society
Ideas for ESSD
Improving connections of ESSD with ENT Societies dealing with swallowing disorders and supporting annual ESSD conferences (advertising and more attendees)
Creating a simple but multidiciplinary ESSD application using artificial intelligence to screen trouble swallowing in elderly population (gerietric care centers)
Contributing to multicenter research projects of ESSD
Julie Regan (SLP)
Ireland
Education
PhD, Clinical Medicine – Trinity College Dublin (2009–2013)
MSc, Dysphagia – Trinity College Dublin (2005–2006)
BSc, Clinical Speech and Language Studies – Trinity College Dublin (1996–2000)
Current Work
Associate Professor in Speech and Language Pathology, Trinity College Dublin
Activity in ESSD and other societies
ESSD Board Member and Vice President since 2021.
Irish Association of Speech and Language Therapists
Stephanie Riera (SLP)
Spain
Education
SLP by UAB (Barcelona), Erasmus at City University of London and Last year of my degree, specialization in dysphagia and research in bilingualism in the SDSU (San Diego - California)
MSc in Ciences Applied on Heath by UAB (H.Sant Pau - Barcelona)
Currently doing PhD in FEES applied in ALS patients
Current Work
Hospital Universitario de Bellvitge (Barcelona)
Clínica Teknon (Barcelona)
Summary of Professional experience, teaching, and research
Worked mostly on dysphagia diagnosis a treatment, initialy in H&N cancer and over 5years ago with Neurological patients. Currently, performing VFS in motorneuron disease patients, esophageal patients. Started a dysphagia online program during covid as a mandatory part of the undergrad program of the UAB, have been an assciate professor of UAB during 2 years. Taught in specific courses for clinical diagnosis of disphagia. About research, started with bilingualism and moved to dysphagia. First, studying the mastication and preparation of the bolus to be ready to swallow and how assess it, currently analysing the swallowing patterns of ALS and SMA patients.
Activity in ESSD and other societies
I have been a member since 2019 that I came back to Europe, at the beginning was also part of the office. I have done the accreditations and learnt every year in the congress as an SLP. Last year had the honour of starting as a board member, being part of the educational committee and taking care of the webinar organization.
Ideas for ESSD
It could be nice to have a "forum" for each accreditation where accredited members could share cases and share opinions even after being accredited.
Nathalie Rommel (Deglutologist (MSc))
Belgium
Education
University of Leuven
Master SLP
Master in Education
PhD Medical Sciences
Current Work
University of Leuven - Faculty of Medicine, dept Neurosciences, Experimental ORL, Deglutology
Summary of Professional experience, teaching, and research
Nathalie Rommel (MSc, PhD) is appointed as Full Professor at the Faculty of Medicine at University of Leuven. She runs the deglutology research program (Neurosciences, ExpORL, Deglutology) focusing on the development of pharyngeal and esophageal motility, on the pathophysiology of dysphagia across life span, on novel diagnostic methods to assess motility disorders and on the evaluation of the currently available treatment of upper GI motility disorders, such as neuromodulation.
Clinically, she focuses on pharyngeal videomanometry and esophageal manometry at Neurogastroenterology and Motility Clinic of the Gastroenterology Department, University Hospitals Leuven, offering a diagnostic service to neonatal, pediatric, adult and geriatric patients with upper gastrointestinal motility disorders such dysphagia, rumination and globus.
Within the Faculty of Medicine of the KU Leuven, Professor Rommel is the program Director of the Advanced Master in Deglutology at KU Leuven, a one-year EU-accredited Master Degree program, training students in the clinical care and science of deglutition and its disorders (deglutology.com).
From 2020-2023, she was President of the European Society for Swallowing disorders (ESSD).
Her publication list can be found on https://lirias.kuleuven.be/cv?u=U0050236
Activity in ESSD and other societies
* ESSD
Organisation of ESSD Winterschool in Leuven
Board member ESSD
Past president ESSD
* Member of Rome Foundation
* European Society Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutritition (working Group on Pediatric Neurogastroenterology and Motility)
* European Neurogastroenetroloy & Motility Society"
Ideas for ESSD
* further development of the European Dysphagia Council
* further development of education provided by ESSD
Renée Speyer (SLP)
Ireland
Education
Speech and Language Pathologist, Epidemiologist, Educationalist
2010 International Master of Science in Health Professions Education, Maastricht University
2005 Registration Master of Science in Epidemiology A
2004 Post-doctoral Master in Epidemiology, University of Amsterdam
2003 PhD Faculty of Medicine, Utrecht University, ‘Effect of voice therapy: measurement and evaluation’
1990 Master in Speech and Language Pathology, University of Nijmegen
1986 Bachelor in Logopedics and Audiology, Nijmegen
Current Work
Professor University of Galway Head of Department Speech and Language Therapy Ireland
Summary of Professional experience, teaching, and research
I. Professional experience
Since 1986, I have worked as a speech pathologist across diverse settings, including private practice, a rehabilitation centre, and academic medical centres in ENT (laryngology).
II. Research
In my current and previous professorial roles, I design research projects and actively pursue funding opportunities. My work focuses on national and international studies in instrument development and evidence-based interventions in allied health. With a background in epidemiology, I am particularly interested in assessing the validity and reliability of outcome measures and evaluating intervention effects. My primary research area is oropharyngeal dysphagia.
III. Education
I regularly develop and deliver national and international courses for allied health professionals and medical specialists. I co-coordinated the international Postgraduate Diploma on Swallowing Disorders (ESSD) and have held academic roles at Utrecht University, the University of Amsterdam, and HAN University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands. In 2012, I was appointed Professor and Course Coordinator of Speech Pathology at James Cook University, Australia, later joining the University of Oslo (Department of Special Needs Education), Norway. Since 2024, I have served as Head of Speech and Language Therapy at the University of Galway, Ireland.
Activity in ESSD and other societies
• ESSD Board member (current); ESSD Secretary (Past)
• Chair, ESSD Research Group
• Fellow, ESSD 2023
• Chair, ESSD Congress 2026 (Leiden, The Netherlands)
• Chair, Inaugural ESSD Congress 2011 (Leiden, The Netherlands)
• Former Co-Coordinator, International Postgraduate Diploma in Swallowing Disorders (ESSD)
• ESSD & Related Committees:
- ESSD–ESGAR Position Statement: Technical performance of videofluoroscopic swallowing studies (European Radiology, 2024)
- ESSD White Paper: Screening and non-instrumental assessment for dysphagia in adults (Dysphagia, 2022)
- ESSD–CEORL-HNS White Paper: Oropharyngeal dysphagia in head and neck cancer (Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol, 2021)
- ESSD White Paper: Effect of bolus viscosity on swallowing safety and efficacy (Dysphagia, 2016)
- ESSD–EUGMS White Paper: Oropharyngeal dysphagia as a geriatric syndrome (Clin Interv Aging, 2016)
- ESPEN/ESSD Guidelines: Nutrition in neurodegenerative disorders (2013)
- Nutricia Online Education Module: Oropharyngeal Dysphagia (2013)
- IDDSI International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (2012–2013)
Ideas for ESSD
I. General
• Increase awareness of OD (by education and research)
• Grow the number of ESSD members
• Enhance the involvement from currently underrepresented European countries in the ESSD
II. Research
• Instrument development: Promote and develop reliable and valid screening and assessments in dysphagia
• Guideline Development (Adults): Establish standardised terminology, screening and assessment protocols and Core Outcome Sets, and evidence-based interventions.
• Guideline Development (Pediatrics): Develop guidelines for the care and management of feeding, eating, and swallowing difficulties in children.
• Systematic reviews in dysphagia: summarise existing evidence on topics such as
- Validity and reliability of screening and assessment
- Outcome of interventions
- Health economics
• International research collaboration: Create options for PhD students and promote international scholarships
• Grant applications: Apply for national and European research funding to support multicenter trials
III. Education
• Design and organise (intensive) international multidisciplinary courses on dysphagia
• Design and organise courses in research methods and related topics
• Promote the adoption and use of valid and reliable measures for screening and assessment
Susana Vaz-Freitas (SLP)
Portugal
Education
Degree in Speech and LanguageTherapy
Master in Public Health
PhD in Biomedical Engineering
Postgraduate in Oropharyngeal Dysphagia
Specialization Course in Voice, Speech and Singing Sciences
Postgradtuate in Management of Health Services and Institutions
Current Work
Specialized Speech and Language Pathologist/SLP Unit Coordinator at the Surgery Clinic - ENT Service, Hospital Santo António - Unidade Local de Saúde de Santo António, Porto - Portugal
Associate Professor at the Superior School of Health - Polytechnic University of Porto, Porto - Portugal
Summary of Professional experience, teaching, and research
Speech and Language Pathologist (SLP) – since 1999 – at the Otorhinolaryngology service and coordinates the SLP`s of Unidade Local de Saúde de Santo António – Hospital de Santo António, since 2000. She had her graduation course in the same city, at Escola Superior de Tecnologias da Saúde do Porto (2001).
Then made her Master Degree in Public Health (2005) at Faculdade de Medicina of Universidade do Porto. The PhD was in Biomedical Engineering (2013) at Faculdade de Engenharia of Universidade do Porto. She also has a post-graduation course in voice, speech and singing (Universidade de Coimbra, 2019) and a post-graduation in oropharyngeal dysphagia (Instituto Superior de Saúde do Alto-Ave, 2009). In 2024 finished the Certification in Gender-Affirming Voice & Communication for Trans and Gender Diverse People and is concluding the post-graduation in Management of Health Services and Units (ISAG-EBS, 2024) Since 2005 to 2021 she also teached at University Fernando Pessoa, on the graduation, master and PhD degrees. From 2021 until now at the graduation and Master of Escola Superior de Saúde of P.Porto.
In her daily practice, she also assumes functions as clinical supervisor, academic tutor (in graduation, master and PhD students), and scientific reviewer in her area of expertise, is a guest lecture in congresses/workshops and publishes as author/co-author in national and international journals. She the editor of a book and author/co-author in national and international book chapters.
Activity in ESSD and other societies
- Associate member of the European Society for Swallowing Disorders (ESSD) and integrated member of the European Dysphagia Council of the ESSD.
- Founding member of the Portuguese Society of Swallowing and Dysphagia (Sociedade Portuguesa de Deglutição e Disfagia) since December 12, 2022 (https://spoddis.pt/) and President of the Board.
- Consultant for the National Directorate-General for Health (Direção Geral de Saúde) (Microsoft Word - 058_Despacho Consultor Susana Freitas).
- Associate member of the European and World Professional Association for Transgender Health.
- Member of the Digital Health Laboratory of the Santo António University Hospital Center, since its creation in November 2022 (https://www.chporto.pt/v0I0I/laboratorio-de-saude-digital).
Ideas for ESSD
Based on my experience and background I believe that, as Secretary, I can help ensure that the Board’s decisions are carried out effectively, that transparency is upheld, and that members feel heard and involved.
My aim would be to build bridges between strategic vision and operational reality, to help ESSD grow in reach, impact, and scientific influence. I would propuse 5 main areas:
1- Strengthen Internal Communication and Governance Transparency
2 - Enhance Member Engagement and Feedback Mechanisms
3 - Support the ESSD Academy and Education Strategy
4 - Promote Research Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing
5 - Expand Outreach and Awareness
Sarah Wallace (SLP)
United Kingdom
Education
BSc Speech Pathology and Therapy Manchester Metropolitan University
Post Grad Dip Professional Studies Leeds Metropolitan University
Current Work
-Consultant SLT.
-Professor - Honorary Clinical Chair - Manchester Academic Health Sciences
-RCSLT Expert Advisor
-Intensive Care Society AHP Advisor
-International Association of Logopedia and Phoniatrica IALP Dysphagia Committee
-Global Tracheostomy Collaborative Advisory Board
-National Tracheostomy Safety Project SLT Lead
-UK Swallowing Research Group UKSRG Committee
-RCSLT Tracheostomy Clinical Excellence Network Committee
50% clinical specialising in critical care, tracheostomy and dysphagia, FEES. 50% research and education
Summary of Professional experience, teaching, and research
Over 60 publications in peer reviewed journal
4 book chapters
Journal of the Intensive Care Society Associate Editor
Running national FEES courses for 20 years
Conference organisation for UKSRG, ICS
Organising and presenting webinars and podcasts
Research projects underway with large grants
Supervisory team for SLT PhD projects
Lead on the Intensive Care Society Research Priority Setting Partnership project
Activity in ESSD and other societies
Interim Board Member since 2024
Conference attendee
Ideas for ESSD
More tracheostomy / critical care focussed education initiatives - podcasts, webinars, winter school
Dysphagia professional 'Voices' day in the life of professionals working in different clinical areas
Kelly Weir (SLP)
Australia
Education
Kelly completed her undergraduate and postgraduate research higher degrees at The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland Australia. She obtained her Bachelor of Speech Pathology (1989); Masters of Speech Pathology - Clinical Specialist (MPhil) 2003 "A comparison of clinical and radiological assessments in paediatric dysphagia during the transitional feeding period": and Doctor of Philosophy (2015) "Oropharyngeal aspiration and oropharyngeal dysphagia in children: assessment, treatment and relationship with respiratory disease." Kelly held a conjoint Principal Research Fellow position at Griffith University and Gold Coast Health (2015-2022); and currently holds a conjoint at The University of Melbourne and Royal Children's Hospital.
Current Work
Associate Professor Kelly Weir is the Director of Allied Health Research at The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne, and Associate Professor of Speech Pathology at The University of Melbourne. Her role at The Royal Children’s Hospital is the leader of the allied health research team, which support allied health professionals of over 27 professions to synthesis and utilize current research evidence to provide evidence based best practice to children and families in their healthcare needs. She also leads multiple training programs and mentors allied health professionals in research generation, implementation/translation and health service improvement, by providing clinical research training programs and mentoring. Kelly’s role at The University of Melbourne focuses on conducting research into Paediatric Feeding Disorders (Paediatric Dysphagia) and particularly into oropharyngeal aspiration, instrumental assessment and treatment of paediatric dysphagia / PFD. She teaches the paediatric dysphagia curriculum at UoM, provides national and international training to speech pathologists in PFD. Kelly researches a range of topics related to paediatric dysphagia including aspiration-related respiratory disease, paediatric and neonatal intensive/acute care management, paediatric tracheostomy, dysphagia in children with cerebral palsy, disability and paediatric palliative care; and supervises PhD candidates in these areas. She is an international presenter on paediatric dysphagia, and regularly supports paediatric dysphagia education for low resource countries. Kelly has over 100 peer reviewed scientific publications and her work is cited extensively.
Summary of Professional experience, teaching, and research
A/Prof Kelly Weir is a certified practicing speech pathologist in Australia with over 35 years clinical and research experience in tertiary teaching hospitals including The Royal Children’s Hospital Brisbane (now Queensland Children’s Hospital), Gold Coast Health and the Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne. She currently also leads paediatric dysphagia services at the Melbourne Teaching Health Clinics (Melbourne Speech Pathology Clinic) at the University of Melbourne.
She has previously work in a variety of clinical roles in the United Kingdom in her early career and has work in acute hospital adult, paediatric and neonatal care as well as in regional hospitals and community health settings.
The majority of her clinical and research experience has been in acute paediatric and neonatal care. Kelly specialises and researches in the area of paediatric dysphagia (paediatric feeding disorder), aspiration-related respiratory disease, paediatric and neonatal intensive/acute care management, paediatric tracheostomy, dysphagia in children with disability and paediatric palliative care; and supervises PhD candidates in these areas.
Kelly led the development of a number of paediatric instrumental services at RCH Brisbane including videofluoroscopy and FEES, and has provided extensive clinical training to speech pathologists throughout Queensland in PFD through visiting scholarship program at RCH Brisbane. She is an international presenter on paediatric dysphagia, and regularly supports paediatric dysphagia education for low resource countries. At present,
Kelly is involved in a number of research projects including investigating, oral feeding and aspiration risk for infants receiving high flow nasal cannula respiratory support, oropharyngeal dysphagia in children with cerebral palsy or disability, the use of cervical auscultation to detect aspiration in infants and children, paediatric videofluoroscopy and flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing. She currently has Kelly has over 100 peer reviewed scientific publications and her work is cited extensively.
Kelly currently leads the allied health research team at the Royal Children's Hospital which mentors and supports allied clinician research capacity to undertake clinically relevant research projects (research generation, implementation/translation and health service improvement). Currently over 50 allied health professionals are receiving clinical research mentoring as part of this program.
Kelly is frequently a Speech Pathology Australia working party member developing Australian national clinical practice guidelines for a range of areas including “Speech Pathology Practice in Neonatal Care’, ‘Videofluoroscopy Swallow Study’, ‘Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES)’, and ‘Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES)’ position statement.
Activity in ESSD and other societies
Kelly has been a member of ESSD since 2018. She has been an invited speaker in 2018, 2020, 2021, Panelist 2018 and 2023, and an abstract reviewer for the paediatric dysphagia abstracts over multiple years. In 2024, Kelly coordinated, chaired and co-presented with 15 other paediatric clinician-researchers to present the 2-day pre-congress workshop "Advances in Paediatric Dysphagia’. For the 2025 ESSD Congress, Kelly is co-presenting the Paediatric Videofluoroscopy Workshop with Professor Anna Miles, and is on the ESSD 2025 congress scientific committee. Throughout her career Kelly has been actively involved in a number of other societies in a range of capacities, including: being a standing member, serving on scientific and conference planning committees, reviewing abstracts, and regularly presenting research findings and workshops. These have included Speech Pathology Australia, European Academy of Childhood Disability, Australasian Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine, and Australian National Allied Health Conference.
Ideas for ESSD
Kelly is committed to the global development and provision of evidence-based clinical care for infants and children with paediatric feeding disorders (paediatric dysphagia) and their families. This includes undertaking research that is informed by and partners with families and clinicians/health professionals in the field to develop best-practice assessment and treatment for these children and families, as well as providing training, developing best-practice guidelines and providing supportive networks to support clinician knowledge, capacity and research. Currently paediatric dysphagia research and practice is fragmented across societies related to disability, neonatology, or body systems with no one society able to provide a holistic focus on PFD across age groups (preterm to 18 years), acuity (acute hospital to community) or aetiology. I feel that European Academy of Swallowing Disorders can provide a home for the paediatric dysphagia practice that encompasses all specialties in paediatric PFD practice and mobilise collaborations across Europe and the world.
My ideas for Paediatric PDF within ESSD include:
• Developing a paediatric community of practice
• Expanding the pre-congress workshops by having a 2 day ‘Foundation Course in Interdisciplinary Management of PFD’ each year, as well as a rotating 2-day intermediate-advanced course each year on a different specialty of practice.
• Expanding the ESSD Congress offerings for paediatric practitioners by including a full day or two-day concurrent paediatric program at ESSD Congresses. This would provide more relevant content for neonatal-paediatric practitioners, as well as increased opportunities for oral presentations in neonatology-paediatrics in the main congress, whilst still providing opportunities to socialise and network with world leaders in areas of dysphagia practice in other age spans and practice-research areas in the breaks/networking events.
• Having the paediatric community of practice inform other ESSD committees of paediatric priorities for education, webinars, when planning for speakers, etc.
• In the medium term, developing an agenda for the development of clinical practice guidelines for PFD more broadly, instrumental assessment and other paediatric specialty areas of practice (potentially in collaboration with other societies).
