Elizabeth J. Christiansen
Sudbury,MA
Summary
Medical Speech-Language Pathologist at Massachusetts General Hospital with specialized expertise in instrumental swallow assessments and the management of swallow and communication disorders in complex adult diagnoses. Experienced in multidisciplinary care coordination for post-operative ENT and neurogenic populations, with a focus on delivering compassionate, evidence-based intervention in both inpatient and outpatient settings.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Speech-Language Pathologist
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, MA
12.2018 - Current
- Evaluates and treats a full caseload of patients of broad age ranges and complex diagnoses with swallowing, cognitive-linguistic, and speech impairments. Particular focus on dysphagia and dysarthria related to neurogenic injury and head and neck cancers
- Performs and interprets video fluoroscopic swallow studies (VFSS) for medically complex adults to identify physiological deficits and establish evidence-based rehabilitation protocols.
- Participates in multidisciplinary end of life/goals of care discussions as it applies to swallowing and communication goals with a variety of patients/families as well as in a clinic setting (e.g. ALS Clinic 7/2021-1/2026)
- Helps patients implement simple high-tech (e.g., Speech Assistant AAC and Live Speech on iOS) and low-tech AAC systems (e.g., communication books) to ensure optimal communication access for patients who are dysarthric/anarthric.
- Provide swallowing and communication inpatient consultation services on the ENT/head and neck unit at Mass Eye and Ear, supporting post-operative and medically complex patients
Speech-Language Pathologist
Life Care Center of the North Shore
Lynn, MA
08.2018 - 12.2018
- Provided clinical evaluation and intervention within the context of a complex multidisciplinary system for inpatients on short-term and long-term rehabilitation units.
- Administered formal and informal cognitive-linguistic, language, voice, and swallowing evaluations and composed thoughtful and thorough diagnostic reports.
- Created individualized treatment plans and short-term and long-term goals for therapy, conducted treatment sessions, and provide documentation using Optima Healthcare Solutions.
- Administered and reported on Cognitive Linguistic Quick Test (CLQT), Boston Diagnostic Aphasia Examination (BDAE), Saint Louis University Mental Status Exam (SLUMS), Western Aphasia Battery- Revised (WAB-R) and modified barium swallows.
Speech-Language Pathologist
Northeast Arc Early Intervention, North Shore
Danvers, MA
08.2017 - 08.2018
- Assessed needs across developmental domains and implemented early intervention speech, language, cognitive, feeding, and swallowing therapy for children ages birth to 3
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary team including outpatient speech-language pathologists, feeding teams, physicians, schools, and community agencies to provide holistic care to children and their families.
- Provided therapy for children who have a variety of diagnoses/disorders such as hemimegalencephaly, Phelan-McDermid syndrome, Autism, Spina Bifida with a Chiari malformation, traumatic brain injuries, and Down syndrome.
- Establish Individualized Family Service Plans, develop goals in collaboration with families, and provide strategies to help children meet developmental milestones.
- Utilized formal and informal evaluation tools to assess speech, language, and feeding skills in medically complex children.
- Participated in specialized interdisciplinary Evaluation Team to assess eligibility for services utilizing the Battelle Developmental Inventory, Second Edition
Registered Vascular Technologist
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, MA
07.2011 - 02.2017
- Worked within a team of 15 to provide exceptional care to patients with sensitive and severe medical conditions including cancer, stroke, obesity, diabetes, dementia, and amputations. Perform and provide preliminary diagnostic reports on all vascular exams.
Registered Vascular Technologist
South Suburban Hospital
Hazel Crest, IL
06.2010 - 07.2011
- Performed and provided preliminary reports on all vascular exams.
Teacher’s Assistant
Pennsylvania School for the Deaf
Philadelphia, PA
08.2005 - 08.2008
- Supervised classroom of deaf/hard-of-hearing children and provided hearing aid and cochlear implant maintenance such as switch checks, cleaning and part replacement. Taught daily lessons and activities in group and one-on-one settings and delivered behavioral and emotional support.
Education
Master of Science - Speech-Language Pathology
MGH Institute of Health Professions
Boston, MA08-2017
Bachelor of Science - Vascular Ultrasound
Rush University
Chicago, IL06-2009
Bachelor of Science - Speech and Language Pathology & Audiology
Purdue University
West Lafayette, IL06-2005
Skills
- CPR certified
- Proficient in American Sign Language
- Modified Barium Swallow Impairment Profile (MBSImP)
- Registered Vascular Ultrasound Technologist
Certification
- ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence - #14178240
- Licensed Speech-Language Pathologist- State of Massachusetts - #76859
CLINICAL FIELDWORK
- Brigham Women’s Hospital Boston, MA January 2017-May 2017
- Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Boston, MA September 2016-December 2016
- MGH Institute Speech Language and Literacy Center (SLLC) Boston, MA October 2015-April 2016
HONORS/AWARDS/MEMBERSHIPS
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) 2018, National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA) 2017, Chicago Area Vascular Association 2010, Ellis-Jones Scholarship for Outstanding Professionalism, Rush University 2009
Timeline
Speech-Language Pathologist
Massachusetts General Hospital
12.2018 - Current
Speech-Language Pathologist
Life Care Center of the North Shore
08.2018 - 12.2018
Speech-Language Pathologist
Northeast Arc Early Intervention, North Shore
08.2017 - 08.2018
Registered Vascular Technologist
Massachusetts General Hospital
07.2011 - 02.2017
Registered Vascular Technologist
South Suburban Hospital
06.2010 - 07.2011
Teacher’s Assistant
Pennsylvania School for the Deaf
08.2005 - 08.2008
Master of Science - Speech-Language Pathology
MGH Institute of Health Professions
Bachelor of Science - Vascular Ultrasound
Rush University
Bachelor of Science - Speech and Language Pathology & Audiology
Purdue University