Gap Education
The Head and Neck Cancer Speech-Language Pathology Clinic
This clinically-focused 6-hour webinar immerses speech-language pathologists in "a day in the life" of a head and neck cancer clinician. Led by expert faculty from Stanford University, MD Anderson Cancer Center, and the University of Miami, the course simulates real-world clinical experiences in managing head and neck cancer cases.
Participants will navigate authentic clinical scenarios, examining how cancer treatments impact swallowing function and exploring intervention after different types of head and neck cancer procedures. Through case-based learning and lecture, learners will analyze the evolution of treatment paradigms and identify key drivers of change in contemporary cancer care.
The curriculum recreates the collaborative clinic environment, emphasizing practical application through toxicity assessment, functional outcome prediction, and rehabilitation planning. Attention is given to the SLP's role within the interdisciplinary team and strategies for effective collaboration.
Participants will critically evaluate intervention outcomes, weighing immediate benefits against long-term consequences to optimize patient quality of life. This immersive experience is designed for clinicians seeking to enhance their expertise through case-based learning for real world application.
Date: January 31, 2026 (Saturday)
Start Time: 10:15 AM EST / 7:15 AM PST
End Time: 4:45 PM EST / 1:45 PM PST
Target Audience: Advanced level
Format: Live, Zoom Webinar
CE Credit: This course is eligible for .6 ASHA CEUs . No partial CE credit is provided. Eligibility to Earn ASHA CEUs.
To earn a certificate, and ASHA CEUs if desired, eligible learners must do the following on or before February 7, 2026:
-Attend the entire live webinar
-Obtain 80% on a short post assessment (may be retaken as needed).
-Complete required items in a learner survey related to ASHA CEU reporting.
Learning Objectives:
Learners will be able to...
1. hypothesize the influence of toxicities from cancer intervention on swallowing function.
2. discuss historical treatment paradigms for head and neck cancer.
3. analyze key factors that have influenced changes in head and neck cancer care.
4. evaluate three ways to contribute to an interdisciplinary team for head and neck cancer patient care.
5. examine long term pros and cons of intervention for patients with head and neck cancer.
6. create three goals for your future work with patients with heads and neck cancer.
BRACCO Diagnostics, Inc has generously provided financial sponsorship for this course.
Instructors
Heather M. Starmer, PhD, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, ASHA Fellow
.jpg)
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
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
.
Carly E. A. Barbon, PhD, CCC-SLP
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
Webinar Schedule
Morning
10:15 - 10:20 - Welcome — Tim Stockdale, SLPD, CCC-SLP
10:20 – 12:20 - Three Oral Cavity Cancer Cases with Q & A — Carly Barbon, PhD, CCC-SLP
Afternoon
12:20–12:30 - Break
12:30–1:30 - Lunch and Learn Presentation - Head and Neck Cancer Treatment: History through Future Horizons — Heather M. Starmer, PhD, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, ASHA Fellow
1:30–1:40 - Break
1:40–3:40 - Three Pharyngeal Cancer Cases with Q & A — Mario Landera, SLP, CCC-SLP, BCS-S
3:40-3:45 - Break
3:45-4:45 (PM)- Interactive Case — Drs. Heather Starmer, Carly Barbon, & Mario Landera
Times are in Eastern Standard Time (EST)
(Subtract 1 hour for CST, 2 Hours for MST, and 3 hours for PST -- i.e., for PST, the event begins at 7:15 AM and ends at 1:15 PM.)
Cost
Early Bird Rate - $84 through November 30, 2025
Standard Rate - $104 through Dec 1, 2025 - January 30, 2026
Students and Clinical Fellows: Please email tim@swallowthegap.com for a discount code
