Dyphagia Awareness Symposium 2026

June is National Dysphagia Awareness month. Swallowing difficulties can occur to people of all ages and impacts one in twenty-five Americans annually. Dysphagia has the potential to dramatically impact the health and well-being of patients and their caregivers. Join the Stanford Department of Otolaryngology in an evening of lectures and discussion about swallowing and swallowing disorders. Our speakers will address aspects of oropharyngeal and esophageal dysphagia across the lifespan.

This course is an intermediate course designed to provide foundational information in evaluation and treatment of dysphagia. Intended audience includes SLPs, MDs, Nurses and other interested health care providers.

Please join us in person, or virtually for this free educational event from 5:30pm-8 pm on June 3,2026. Please join us at 5:00 for light snacks and networking.

For IN-PERSON participants only: CEU credits will be available for this free event. Participants will sign in upon arrival. The code to complete forms for CEUs will be given out at the end of the symposium. No partial credit will be given. Program evaluation must be completed by 6/17/26 for CEUS and Certificate of Completions. For ASHA CEUs, each participant must complete the course evaluation and post-course learning survey.

NO CEUs or certificates will be offered for virtual attendees.

This course will be a live event with an online synchronous viewing option. Graduate students and CFs are welcome to join but should not apply for ASHA CEUs.

Deadline for in-person registration: Wednesday, MAY 29, 2026

While this event is free, we encourage you to make a donation to the Stanford Team who are participating in the Dysphagia Research Society's Dash for Dysphagia.

Registration

Registration must be completed by May 29, 2026.

Registration is limited. Registration will close if room capacity is reached. Limit is 60.

Virtual Registration Link (NO CEUs or certificates will be offered for virtual attendees)

https://stanford.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_FZFT2AUHTXSSTHBTlk84YQ

Additional concerns/comments and or special needs or requests: Please contact Heather Starmer [email protected].

All complaints and concerns should be in writing and sent to Heather Starmer [email protected]

As a result of this course, the participant will be able to:

1. Describe ways in which dysphagia may impact patients and caregivers.
2. Discuss surgical options offered by otolaryngologists and gastroenterologists to manage dysphagia.
3. Explain current state legislation around dysphagia evaluation.

In order to receive ASHA CEUs, you will be required to complete a course evaluation and verify participation hours as assigned in the course agenda. There will be signing in and signing out requirements.

COURSE EVALUATION AND ASSESSMENT OF LEARNING / CHECK IN

THE EVALUATION IS REQUIRED FOR CEUs. The code to complete forms for CEUs will be given out at the end of the symposium.

To serve you better in the future, we would appreciate it if you would give us constructive feedback in the event survey.

Speaker Disclosure of Relevant Relationships:

• Heather Starmer: Employee of Stanford University
• Theresa Yao: Employee of Stanford Healthcare; Co-founder of the Bay Area Swallowing Support Group
• Lisa Evangelista: Employee of UC Davis
• John Clarke: Employee of Stanford University
• Maggie Kuhn: Employee of UC Davis
• Claire Hettinger: Employee of Sutter Health Care; Co-founder of the Bay Area Swallowing Support Group
• Alyssa Smith: Employee of Stanford University
• David Despotakis: Employee of Stanford Healthcare
• Wendy La: Employee of Stanford Healthcare
• Heather Nilsson: Employee of Stanford Healthcare
• Patient panel: none

PRESENTER -- FINANCIAL DISCLOSURES -- NON-FINANCIAL DISCLOSURES

Difficulties can occur to people of all ages and impacts one in twenty-five Americans annually. Dysphagia has the potential to dramatically impact the health and well-being of patients and their caregivers. Join the Stanford Department of Otolaryngology in an evening of lectures and discussion about swallowing and swallowing disorders. Our speakers will address aspects of oropharyngeal and esophageal dysphagia across the lifespan. Intended audiences SLPs, MDs, Nurses.

Info: "The lived experience of patients with dysphagia and their caregivers"

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