Humbert Swallowing Training Program
The Humbert Swallowing Training Program (HSTP) was created to address the long-standing and well-published limitations of current education and training for professionals who manage swallowing disorders. Our mission is clear: to provide a diverse range of educational experiences, both virtual and in-person, with a common objective — delivering intensive, rigorous, and clinically relevant training that helps improve patient care, elevates the profession, and raises awareness about swallowing disorders.
HSTP is based on Dr. Ianessa Humbert’s 20+ years of accumulated research, education, and training experience in swallowing and swallowing disorders (dysphagia). Ianessa Humbert, Ph.D., is an accomplished scientist, professor, and highly sought-after speaker with expertise in swallowing and swallowing disorders. With hundreds of speaking invitations worldwide, the most common feedback from attendees continues to be, “This is the first time a course has forced me to think about what I’m doing.” Dr. Humbert’s teaching philosophy requires attendees to question everything they think they know before learning can begin.
We are excited to offer a range of learning experiences designed to empower students, clinicians, and scholars with world-class knowledge, skills, and training in dysphagia management. Through our virtual Humbert Experiential Learning Program (HELP) sessions and in-person Swallowing Residencies and MBSS Intensives, trainees will gain access to dysphagia expertise and experiences that will elevate their practice, enrich their careers, and allow them to make a meaningful impact in the lives of those living with swallowing disorders. Join us in this journey towards excellence in swallowing wellness. Explore our offerings below.
V I R T U A L L E A R N I N G
The Humbert Experiential Learning Program (HELP) is an all-virtual learning experience designed to simulate real-world clinical scenarios in dysphagia management. HELP delivers a dynamic and immersive learning experience through topical sessions that are available online in two phases - Pre-Recorded and Live-Streamed:
1) Pre-Recorded: Watch pre-recorded courses on Swallowing Training and Education Portal (STEP) relevant to the course topic to strengthen foundational knowledge in preparation for the live-streamed clinical scenarios.
2) Live-Streamed: Attend live-streamed diagnostic and treatment scenarios in a clinical setting with volunteer patients. Mock clinical encounters will be streamed to you from the Swallowing Wellness Center to demonstrate real-world clinical experiences for clinicians and patients.
Each HELP Session will feature a different swallowing disorder, diagnostic technique, patient population, or treatment modality. You can learn more and register for our HELP sessions here.
I N - P E R S O N L E A R N I N G
Our In-Person Swallowing Residency at The Swallowing Wellness Center is designed to provide healthcare professionals with a one-of-a-kind, immersive, in-person learning experience that will take their clinical skills to the next level. Each residency program will be customized to meet the individual needs of the resident and will provide a comprehensive learning experience that combines theoretical and practical knowledge in dysphagia management. Residents will work alongside our experienced team of clinicians and educators and will receive hands-on training and mentorship in dysphagia assessment and treatment at a private outpatient clinical setting in Washington, DC.
Residents will also gain access to comprehensive dysphagia education via Swallowing Training and Education Portal (STEP) online courses throughout the residency. After each residency, residents will have gained the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in their careers as confident, critically thinking dysphagia specialists across the continuum of care. Additional details about our swallowing residencies are coming soon.
Modified Barium Swallow Study (MBSS) Intensive
The In-Person Swallowing Wellness MBSS Intensive empowers healthcare professionals with the skills and knowledge required to excel in conducting and interpreting Modified Barium Swallow Studies (MBSS). Our comprehensive program offers an immersive learning experience with expert guidance and hands-on training.
Objective: To equip participants with the expertise to perform MBSS effectively and safely
Location: In-person experience at The Swallowing Wellness Center in Washington, DC
Training Topics: In addition to hands-on training, our intensive covers a wide range of essential topics, including:
Introduction to MBSS and its significance in swallowing assessment
In-depth exploration of normal and abnormal swallow anatomy and physiology
Hands-on practice in setting up MBSS equipment and conducting MBS studies
Discussions for managing clinical scenarios and complex cases
Understanding radiation safety, policy, and industry equipment
Interdisciplinary collaboration application
Additional details about our MBSS intensives are coming soon.
Our Online Education Partner
The Swallowing Wellness Center has partnered with STEP Community (Swallowing Training Education Portal), a leading online all-in-one learning platform for swallowing and swallowing disorders.
The Swallowing Training and Education Portal provides students, clinicians, and instructors with the dysphagia resources they need to succeed at every step - from basics to clinics. Their mission is to make evidence-based swallowing training and education affordable and accessible. STEP offers nearly 100 hours of immersive and clinically relevant courses and ASHA CEUs, at a reasonable cost, covering all the essentials of normal swallowing, swallow assessment, dysphagia treatment, and professional issues for students and clinicians in dysphagia management.
The STEP x Swallowing Wellness Center collaboration fulfills the long-awaited and frequently requested education and training clinicians need to practice dysphagia management at the top of their licenses. We are revolutionizing swallowing training and education from theory to practice, from online to hands-on training and experiences. Our goal is to broaden the scope of dysphagia education to move our clinical sub-specialty forward. Learn more at www.stepcommunity.com.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the Humbert Swallowing Training Program (HSTP)?
The Swallowing Wellness Center’s Humbert Swallowing Training Program is an innovative educational program designed to address the limitations of current education and training for professionals managing swallowing disorders (dysphagia). It offers a diverse range of educational experiences, both virtual and in-person, to deliver intensive, rigorous, and clinically relevant training to improve clinical outcomes, enhance patient care, and help raise awareness about swallowing disorders.
2. What are the key components of the Humbert Swallowing Training Program (HSTP)?
The key components of the Humbert Swallowing Training Program are our virtual and in-person educational offerings and experiences. Through our VIRTUAL Humbert Experiential Learning Program (HELP) and In-Person Residencies, trainees will gain access to dysphagia expertise, insights, and hands-on experiences that will elevate their clinical practice, enrich their careers, and allow them to make a meaningful impact in the lives of individuals living with swallowing disorders.
3. What does the virtual Humbert Experiential Learning Program (HELP) offer?
HELP is an all-virtual learning experience designed to simulate real-world clinical scenarios in dysphagia management. It consists of pre-recorded courses on the Swallowing Training and Education Portal (STEP) and live-streamed clinical scenarios in a clinical setting with volunteer patients. Each session covers a different aspect of swallowing disorders and treatment. You can learn more about our HELP sessions here.
4. What is the In-Person Swallowing Residency?
Our In-Person Swallowing Residencies are designed to provide healthcare professionals with a one-of-a-kind, immersive, in-person learning experience that will take their clinical skills to the next level. Each residency program will be customized to meet the resident’s individual needs and will provide a comprehensive learning experience that combines theoretical and practical knowledge in dysphagia management. Residents will work alongside our experienced team of clinicians and educators. They will receive hands-on training and mentorship in dysphagia assessment and treatment at a private outpatient clinical setting in Washington, DC.
5. What is the Swallowing Wellness MBSS Intensive?
The Swallowing Wellness MBSS Intensive is an accelerated training program that empowers healthcare professionals with the skills and knowledge required to excel in conducting and interpreting Modified Barium Swallow Studies (MBSS). It covers topics such as normal and abnormal swallow anatomy, hands-on practice with MBSS equipment, managing clinical scenarios, and more in an immersive, real-world clinical setting.
6. Are there any prerequisites for participation?
Prerequisites for participation in all our programs may vary depending on the specific training session. Most sessions are open to a wide range of participants, but please look at the individual session details for any specific requirements or recommended prerequisites. All our virtual experiential learning programs will require online pre-recorded coursework to be completed on www.stepcommunity.com prior to attendance.
7. How can I register for these education and training programs?
Registration and pricing details for all our virtual and in-person programs are coming soon.
8. Can I attend sessions online or are they in-person only?
We offer a hybrid learning experience, allowing you to choose between attending our training sessions in-person or online, depending on the progam. You can participate in the way that best fits your schedule and preferences.
9. Do you offer ASHA CEUs or certifications?
Yes, most of our sessions will offer ASHA continuing education units (ASHA CEUs). Check the details of each session to learn more about specific credit hours once we open registration.
10. How can I stay informed about updates and registration for upcoming programs and sessions?
You can check back on our website for updates or follow us on our social media channels. These platforms regularly update information about our upcoming sessions, news, and educational content. You can also contact us at education@swallowingwellness.com.