Jessica Danley, clinical education coordinator for the program in Communication Sciences and Disorders in the Department of Communication Disorders and Occupational Therapy, has achieved national Board Certification in Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders.

The American Board of Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders awarded Danley with the esteemed recognition based on her academic and clinical achievements in leadership, mentorship and advanced professional activities in swallowing disorders.

Since joining the College of Education and Health Professions at the U of A in early 2021, Danley has re-launched the Swallow Lab at the U of A Speech and Hearing Clinic and increased hands-on training opportunities for student clinicians enrolled in speech-language pathology coursework. In addition to academic instruction and coordinating graduate field placements, Danley also leads clinical services for adults with voice, swallowing and post-concussion cognitive changes at the U of A Speech and Hearing Clinic. 

"I feel honored to be the second speech-language pathologist practicing in Arkansas to be awarded the Board Certification in Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders. I'm grateful to program, department and college leadership for supporting me throughout this rewarding, albeit challenging, multi-year process. What an exciting time to be a part of the growth and advancement of healthcare services in Arkansas."

Difficulty swallowing, medically diagnosed as dysphagia, impacts one in 25 adults each year in the United States. Dysphagia may be caused by neurologic conditions such as stroke, the result of a chronic medical condition or be a residual side effect of a traumatic injury. Speech-language pathologists are designated providers for the assessment and intervention of swallowing disorders.

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association offers clinical specialty certifications, which enable speech-language pathologists to demonstrate advanced knowledge, skills and clinical experience in a specified area of practice. After completing a rigorous application process, including passing a national exam, professionals are identified as a board-certified specialist in that area of practice. The BCS helps consumers more easily identify professionals who have demonstrated advanced knowledge and experience in a certain specialty.

About the University of Arkansas Speech and Hearing Clinic: The University of Arkansas Speech and Hearing Clinic is a university-affiliated practice that has been offering comprehensive speech, language and audiology services since 1960. The clinic serves as a clinical training and research laboratory for undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in the Communication Sciences and Disorders program. The clinic has faculty with a wide range of experience who provide intervention to individuals with communication disorders while also teaching and supervising graduate and undergraduate students.