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by Janet Brown
Heavy rains in the desert of Palm Springs, CA did not dampen the spirits of 200 SLPs attending the 2005 ASHA Health Care Conference in mid-February. This second annual health care conference featured three tracks-vocal pathologies, dementia, and pediatric dysphagia-which brought together expert faculty from across the country.
As clouds descended upon the Palm Springs airport, faculty and attendees resorted to heroic measures to reach the conference. SLP Joan Arvedson and her physician, nurse, and dietitian colleagues-the faculty for the pediatric dysphagia track-were forced to travel to another airport and drive three hours, arriving at 2 a.m. on the first day of their two-day session-which, despite all, won rave reviews.
The conference opened and closed with plenary sessions that addressed issues common to all participants. Nancy Swigert addressed the balancing act of juggling the clinical and non-clinical responsibilities. Audrey Holland led the audience in an exercise demonstrating the principles of Positive Psychology and discussed life coaching as it relates to both the participants and their patients.
The dementia track featured Michelle Bourgeois, Rosemary Lubinski, and Tammy Hopper as well as a pharmacist whose information complemented the SLP presentations on factors influencing the cognition of seniors and current medications for mitigating the progression of dementia.
The vocal pathologies track featured lively interaction between presenters Nelson Roy, Joseph Stemple, and Kittie Verdolini as they presented on causes of voice disorders and approaches to voice treatment. Jan Lewin discussed state of the art treatment of head and neck cancer.
The following articles by Roy and Lewin begin a series that will highlight presentations from the 2005 ASHA Health Care Conference. Watch for upcoming articles that showcase the pediatric dysphagia and dementia tracks, and make plans to attend next year's health care conference.
Janet Brown is director of health care services in speech-language pathology. Contact her at jbrown@asha.org.
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