Countering Speech and Swallowing Challenges in PD

Last updated on March 3, 2025.

Guest Speaker: Ariana Hansen, M.A. CCC-SLP, Speech Therapist, Presbyterian Hospital, 505-379-4748

Ariana is a local New Mexican who has been treating patients in our community for the last 7 years. She obtained her Master’s in Speech Language Pathology from NMSU in 2017 and began her career at Presbyterian Rust Hospital in 2018. She has been certified in Speak Out Parkinson’s Voice Program since 2019 when she assisted in the opening of Presbyterian Hospital Santa Fe. Her areas of specialty while providing outpatient services in Santa Fe included Parkinson’s dysphagia + voice disorders and Video Swallow Studies. Currently, she teaches a once a month class at POP Santa Fe to target Parkinson’s related voice, swallowing, and cognitive difficulties. 

This class will provide a brief overview of swallow/voice anatomy, how PD can impact swallow/voice systems, and importance of Speech Therapy as early after diagnosis as possible. We will be completing some basic voice and swallowing exercises and all attendees will be provided with handouts for follow up. All questions welcome!