logo
episode-header-image
Oct 30
1h 9m

Strategies for Effective Collaboration B...

Michelle Dawson & Erin Forward
About this episode

Full conversation with Melissa Davis, MS, CCC-SLP and Jenna Nassar, MS, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, for "Intraprofessional Practice: Strategies for Effective Collaboration Between SLPs" an episode of the First Bite podcast.

Hosted by: Michelle Dawson MS, CCC-SLP, CLC, BCS-S

Earn 0.1 ASHA CEU for this episode with Speech Therapy PD: https://www.speechtherapypd.com/courses/intraprofessional-practice-strategies

In this episode of First Bite, we’re exploring what effective intraprofessional practice really looks like for SLPs in pediatrics. When colleagues collaborate well, everyone benefits—especially the little ones we serve.

Join Michelle Dawson, MS, CCC-SLP, CLC, BCS-S, as she interviews Melissa Davis, MS, CCC-SLP, owner of Speech Therapy for Kids and co-owner of Kids Therapy Spot in Starkville and Columbus, MS, and Jenna Nassar, MS, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, clinician and instructor in the Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. Together, they share how they make intraprofessional collaboration work for optimal continuity of care.

Tune in to learn what a typical day looks like for a pediatric medical SLP in different settings, discover strategies to strengthen your clinical skills across those settings, and gain practical ideas for communicating effectively—even across hundreds of miles—so that the little ones on both your caseloads thrive.

About the Guest(s): Melissa Davis, MS CCC-SLP, is the owner of Speech Therapy for Kids and co-owner of Kids Therapy Spot located in Starkville and Columbus, MS. Melissa received her bachelor’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Middle Tennessee State University in May of 2000 and her master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Mississippi University for Women in May of 2002. Melissa worked for two rehabilitation companies from 2002 to 2009, providing speech therapy services in homes and daycare centers for children in the early intervention program. In January 2010, Melissa went into private practice. She now has two outpatient clinics in Starkville and Columbus, MS, in addition to contracting speech therapy services at three Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care Facilities and the private schools in Starkville, MS. In addition to owning a private practice, Melissa continues to be a treating SLP primarily focusing on treating children with pediatric feeding disorders at her two outpatient clinics, in addition to the PPEC in Starkville, MS. She also consults on patients with PFD at the PPECs located in Meridian and Columbus, MS. Melissa is an active volunteer with Feeding Matters and was on the 2023 and 2024 ASHA PFD topic committee. She consistently speaks to undergraduate and graduate students at various universities about PFD and has also had numerous speaking engagements, presenting information on opening and operating a private practice.


Jenna Nassar, MS CCC-SLP, BCS-S, is a pediatric speech pathologist and an instructor in the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Cancer at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. In addition to these roles, she also serves as the pediatric outpatient team leader, clinical Internship coordinator for the Department of Speech Pathology, and as a member of the cleft and craniofacial team. She specializes in pediatric swallowing and feeding disorders and serves patients both inpatient and outpatient at Batson Children's Hospital. She holds Board Certification in swallow and swallowing disorders through the ABSSD. She is trained in a variety of treatment approaches for feeding and swallowing disorders. She is a member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, the Mississippi Speech-Language-Hearing Association, SIG 13, and Feeding Matters. She was awarded the 2023 Clinical Achievement Award from the Mississippi Speech-Language-Hearing Association and the Association's Honors in 2025. In 20024, she served on the Pediatric Feeding...

Up next
Nov 18
#BlackSLPMagic Paving the Way for the Future
<p>Guests: Chelsie Esek-Onyeahialam, MS, CCC-SLP, and Jordyn R. Montique, MS, CCC-SLP</p><p>Earn 0.1 ASHA CEU for this episode with Speech Therapy PD: <a href="https://www.speechtherapypd.com/courses/blackslpmagic" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.speechthera ... Show More
14m 22s
Nov 13
The Psychologist Role in Eating with Dr. Amy Talbot
In this episode of First Bite, Michelle Dawson, MS, CCC-SLP, CLC, BCS-S, is joined by Dr. Amy Talbot, Director and Clinical Psychologist of the Talbot Centre in Australia, to unpack the well-established overlap between Pediatric Feeding Disorder (PFD) and Avoidant Restrictive Foo ... Show More
1h 7m
Nov 5
Strategies for Starting AAC with Stephen Kneece
In this episode of First Bite, host Michelle Dawson, MS, CCC-SLP, CLC, BCS-S, wraps up October’s AAC Awareness Month with one of her favorite guests, Stephen Kneece, MS, CCC-SLP! Stephen, founder of Speech and Language Songs on Instagram, is an AAC guru with Forbes AAC, a seasone ... Show More
1h 5m
Recommended Episodes
Aug 2024
Jennifer Stano - Navigating Life, Sexuality, Explant Surgery, & Life In The Fast Lane
#743: On today's episode we are sitting down with Jennifer Stano. She is a multi-talented entrepreneur, designer, and influencer, who took the world by storm after moving to Beverly Hills at a young age. In this episode, Jennifer reflects back to her experience on TLC’s “Trophy W ... Show More
57m 5s
Oct 2024
Nicole Byer - How To Develop Confidence, A Positive Body Image, Manage Criticism, & Use Comedy To Heal
760: Join us as we sit down with Nicole Byer, an actress, comedian, podcaster, and writer. From navigating the stand-up comedy scene to getting real when dealing with online trolls, Nicole opens up to us about her career journey. In this episode, Nicole sheds light on the inspira ... Show More
48m 55s
Dec 2019
47: Gestational Surrogacy with Kelsey Nixon: A Deep Dive into Gestational Surrogacy and Kelsey's Message to "Just Keep Going" When Life Gets Hard
<p>My dear college friend and fellow broadcast journalism classmate from BYU, Kelsey Nixon is today's podcast guest. Kelsey is one of THE MOST successful students to come out of our graduating broadcast journalism class, as a contestant on Food Network Star season 4 to landing he ... Show More
49m 52s
Oct 2024
Embracing the End: The Role of End-of-Life Doulas | S4E5
Host Frantzces Lys explores the profound impact of end-of-life doulas with two deeply personal stories involving the death of a family member.First, David Duffin, a high school teacher, reflects on his experience working with a doula during his sister’s final days and how this su ... Show More
27m 28s
Mar 2020
How Kristina Meditates To Feel Better
<p>In this episode, Zara and Leo try out some awesome yoga poses, and a calming breathing exercise! We also hear from Kristina, a Big Life Kid who uses mindful meditations to help her feel better, and get to sleep!</p><br><p>In this episode, you will:</p><ul><li>learn how using < ... Show More
11m 8s
May 2019
Episode 134: The Beautiful No and Creating True Happiness with Sheri Salata
<p>She was in a position many would covet as the president of Harpo Studios, the co-president of OWN, and the former executive producer of The Oprah Winfrey Show, and she decided to choose something else: a life.</p> <p>Sheri had been so busy building a dream career that she’d fo ... Show More
51m 38s
Aug 2024
Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt - Family Dynamics, Balancing Parenthood, Boundaries, & Fertility Advocacy, & Pregnancy
746: On today’s episode we’re sitting down with Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt, a New York Times best-selling author and podcast host of “Before, During, and After Baby”. From misconceptions around fertility and the importance of examining sperm, to embracing Motherhood, and nurt ... Show More
1h 3m
Jan 2025
Establishing PFD and Dysphagia Services in the Schools with Carolyn Dolby - First Bite
<p>Guest: Carolyn Dolby MS, CCC-SLP</p><p>Earn 0.1 ASHA CEU for this episode with Speech Therapy PD: https://www.speechtherapypd.com/course?name=Establishing-PFD-and-Dysphagia-Services-in-the-Schools</p><p>In this episode, Michelle and Erin are joined by none other than Carolyn D ... Show More
1h 9m
Sep 2024
The Real Reason People Don’t Eat Well & What You Need To Know To Fix It - Ft. Elizabeth Stein Of Purely Elizabeth
#754: Join us as we sit down with Elizabeth Stein, the Founder of Purely Elizabeth, a better for you granola made with real ingredients. As a certified holistic nutritionist, Elizabeth tells her story on how she came up with the idea of healthier granola, from crafting the perfec ... Show More
40m 53s
Aug 2024
How Lauryn Transformed Her Life: Solo
#734: On today's episode Lauryn is solo discussing the ways she transformed here life after moving to Austiin, Texas. Lauryn discusses what changed when she moved, why she made the changes, and how viewers and listeners can also make positive changes that will impact their lives ... Show More
18m 54s