by Bonnie Martin-Harris
Momentum is growing for board recognition for specialists in swallowing and swallowing disorders. Currently, 21 clinicians have been accepted as charter members for the Specialty Board for Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders, and 45 applications are pending following the application deadline of Dec. 31, 2004. Charter members will assist the board in validating the written examination developed by the board's examination committee. Members who gain board recognition are known as "board-recognized specialists in swallowing and swallowing disorders" (BRS-S).
The board is now accepting applications for regular membership, which offers clinicians a mechanism to recognize their advanced clinical experience, education/mentoring, leadership, and scholarship. Both charter and regular members will be part of a cadre of individuals who strive for excellence in our field and will have a remarkable opportunity for peer support and advanced educational and mentoring opportunities.
Developing Recognition
In 1995 Barbara Sonies, who was then the coordinator of Division 13, Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders, launched an effort to create board recognition for dysphagia specialists. After years of planning, committee work, and peer review, a process was completed that we believe will be achievable by experienced clinicians and will add significant value to their career path.
Why create board recognition for specialists in swallowing and swallowing disorders? First, we are not attempting to create a higher education mechanism or another layer of bureaucracy. Instead, we are giving SLPs the opportunity to demonstrate the achievement of advanced competency in the increasingly specialized area of swallowing and swallowing disorders.
This mechanism is by no means exclusionary and does not prohibit ASHA-certified SLPs from practicing in the area of dysphagia. In fact, we hope to foster a career direction toward advanced competency and structured continuing education opportunities for ASHA members who practice in this challenging yet highly rewarding area of speech-language pathology.
For application information and a complete description of the board recognition process, visit the Swallowing Board on Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders Web site. Specific questions can be addressed to Shawn Sornson, administrative director, at BRSS@wismed.org.
Bonnie Martin-Harris is chairperson of the Specialty Board of Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders. Other board members include: Maureen A. Lefton-Greif, vice chairperson; Barbara Sonies, secretary; Caryn Easterling, treasurer; Marty Mash, consumer member; Joan C. Arvedson; Susan E. Langmore; Jeri Logemann; Linda E. Mackay; Adrienne L. Perlman; Jo Puntil-Sheltman; JoAnne Robbins; and Justine Joan Sheppard. Martin-Harris can be reached at harrisbm@musc.edu.