Speech Therapy (ST)
The Speech-Language Pathologists (SLP’s) at Columbus Community Hospital work with people of all ages who may have trouble speaking, listening, reading, writing, thinking, and/or swallowing because of stroke, head injury, head and neck cancer, vocal cord injury or abuse, and diseases like Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Our Speech-Language Pathologists can be involved in your individualized assessment and treatment plan if you or someone you know is having trouble with:
- Speaking clearly or making sounds precisely
- Speech rhythm and fluency problems such as stuttering
- Decreased loudness, inappropriate pitch, or hoarseness
- Attention, memory, and problem-solving
- Swallowing
- Understanding language, such as following written or spoken directions
- Word-finding, verbal expression, and organizing thoughts
- Being understood because of an accent
Columbus Community Hospital’s SLP’s are licensed by the state of Nebraska and are credentialed by the American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA). They provide care for inpatients, outpatients and patients in their home environments. Our SLP’s and Radiology Department provide Modified Barium Swallow (MBS) studies to assist with the diagnosis of Dysphagia (difficulty in swallowing).
Because effective communication and safe swallowing are essential to everyone’s quality of life, our Speech-Language Pathologists have additional certification in Vital Stim™ therapy for people with swallowing problems and the
Lee Silverman Voice Treatment, LSVT-LOUD® program for voice disorders caused by Parkinson’s Disease and other neurological disorders. Effective treatments for your great outcome is our number one goal.
Our Speech-Language Pathologists are experienced at evaluating the need for and training individuals with Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) devices for significant communication disorders caused by stroke, ALS, brain injury, and laryngectomy.
To learn more about Speech Therapy or to schedule an appointment, contact Rehabilitiative Services at 402-562-3333.
Michell Ruskamp, M.S., CCC-SLP
Michell received her Bachelor’s degree in Education in May 2005 and her Master of Science degree in Speech Language Pathology in December 2006 from the University of Nebraska-Omaha. She has been with Columbus Community Hospital since June 2009. Michell works with young children and adults who have difficulty with communication and swallowing because of autism, brain injury, stroke, ALS, Parkinson disease, developmental delay, stuttering, apraxia, and cleft palate. Two areas she is particularly interested in are alternative augmentative communication (AAC) and Parkinson Disease. Michell is certified in the Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT-Loud) program for treatment of voice in people with Parkinson’s disease and other neurological impairments. In her spare time, Michell enjoys gardening and camping with family.
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Janine Carlow, M. A.CCC-SLP
Janine received her Master’s degree in speech-language pathology from the University of South Dakota in 1984. She has worked for Columbus Community Hospital since 2005. Prior to joining Columbus Community hospital staff she provided speech-language therapy in a variety of settings including acute care, nursing homes and in-patient and outpatient rehabilitation centers. Janine specializes in rehabilitation for stroke, traumatic brain injury, swallowing disorders, voice and degenerative neurological diseases. She is certified in Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation and Deep Pharyngeal Neuromuscular Stimulation for swallowing disorders. In her free time Janine enjoys spending time with her family and her two dogs, reading, sailing, and home improvement projects.
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