Gap Education
Beyond the Book: Real Talk About Head and Neck Cancer Care​
Three head and neck cancer specialists from coast-to-coast share insights that may challenge some traditional dysphagia management approaches. Dr. Carly Barbon (MD Anderson), Dr. Mario Landera (University of Miami), and Dr. Heather Starmer (Stanford) discuss why functional goals are important with this population, the critical importance of shared decision-making, and how quality of life factors like depression and mental health should weigh in for clinical decisions. Through powerful patient stories and practical advice, these expert clinicians reveal what it really means to be a "battle buddy" for head and neck cancer patients.
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Target Audience: Intermediate level
CE Credit: This episode is eligible for 0.05 ASHA CEUs from October. 25, 2025 through Dec. 31, 2025. No partial CE credit is provided. Eligibility to Earn ASHA CEUs.
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To earn a certificate, and ASHA CEUs if desired, eligible learners must do the following between October 25, 2025 and December 31, 2025:
-Listen to the entire podcast episode
-Obtain 100% on a short post assessment (may be retaken as needed).
-Complete required items in a learner survey related to ASHA CEU reporting.
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Learning Objectives:
Learners will be able to...
1. Evaluate the role of shared decision-making and patient autonomy in head and neck cancer rehabilitation, weighing clinical recommendations against patient quality of life goals.
2. Apply principles of functional rehabilitation and compensatory strategies when working with "non-compliant" head and neck cancer patients to achieve meaningful outcomes.
Thanks to financial sponsorship from BRACCO Diagnostics, Inc, access to the post-test and reporting for ASHA CEUs is offered at no cost to our learners for a limited time.
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(Oct 25, 2025 - Dec 31, 2025 only)​
Instructors
Heather M. Starmer, PhD, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, ASHA Fellow
Episode Guest
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Heather Starmer, PhD is a Clinical Professor in the Department of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery at Stanford University and the Director of Head and Neck Speech and Swallowing Rehabilitation at the Stanford Cancer Center. She is a Board Certified Specialist in Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders. Her research and clinical passions include the management of communication and swallowing disorders associated with head and neck cancer. Her current research projects include investigation of the relationship between head and neck lymphedema and dysphagia following head and neck cancer treatment. She is a Fellow of the American Speech Language and Hearing Association.
Financial Disclosures
Salary: Stanford University
Speaking / Instructor Fee: Gap Education, LLC​
Non-financial Disclosures
None
Mario A. Landera, SLPD, CCC-SLP, BCS-S
Episode Guest
Mario A. Landera, SLPD, CCC-SLP, BCS-S is an Associate Professor and Chief of Speech Pathology in the Department of Otolaryngology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. He specializes in the evaluation and treatment of oropharyngeal swallowing disorders, as well as head and neck cancer speech and swallowing restoration. Dr. Landera is proficient in conducting videofluoroscopic swallow studies (modified barium swallow studies), flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing, videostroboscopy, and management of voice prostheses following tracheoesophageal voice restoration after total laryngectomy.
Financial Disclosures
Salary: University of Miami & Massachusetts General Hospital​
Speaking / Instructor Fee: Gap Education, LLC​
Non-financial Disclosures
SIG 13 Coordinating Committee ABSSD Board of Directors
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Carly E. A. Barbon, PhD, CCC-SLP
Episode Guest
Dr. Barbon is a clinician-scientist, practicing as a speech language pathologist for over 10 years with specialty in oncology and oral rehabilitation. Her research focuses on investigating key areas that drive speech, mastication and swallow impairments after head and neck cancer treatment and she is dedicated to conducting research that will develop rehabilitation approaches to improve patients’ functional outcomes and quality of life. She has spearheaded integrative clinical research pathways for oral cancer patients at MD Anderson including development and roll out of a large database towards monitoring of longitudinal function for patients treated for their oral cancer. She holds intramural funding and is a co-investigator in multiple NIH grant-funded multidisciplinary research projects in collaboration with head and neck surgery, radiation oncology, oral oncology and plastic surgery.
Financial Disclosures
Salary: MD Anderson Cancer Center
Speaking / Instructor Fee: Gap Education, LLC​
Non-financial Disclosures
None
Timothy Stockdale, SLPD, CCC-SLP
Episode Host
Timothy (Tim) Stockdale is a medically focused speech-language pathologist and educator. He is particularly passionate about addressing gaps in dysphagia education and practice. From this passion, he became the founding director of the Hard to Swallow: A Catalyst for Change in Dysphagia Management conference at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions and started Gap Education, LLC. Through Gap Education, he hosts the podcast Swallow the Gap and organizes continuing education content. He has continued to practice clinically in multiple settings, which he believes helps him to maintain relevance and practicality. In January of 2023, Tim was appointed to ASHA’s SIG-13 (Dysphagia) Professional Development Committee and serves this term through December 31, 2025.
Financial Disclosures
Salary: Gap Education, LLC
Royalties: MedBridge​
Non-financial Disclosures
SIG 13 Professional Development Committee
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Episode Schedule
0:00 - 0:48 - Episode Intro
00:49 - 06:45 - Getting to Know the Experts
06:45 - 12:40 - Building Relationships and Living Life
12:40 - 23:40 - Practical Advice for Clinicians
23:40 - 30:45 - Beyond Pneumonia - A Bigger Picture
30:45 - 36:20 - Gems of Wisdom
36:20 - 41:31 - Outro and More Information
