Assistant Clinical Professor

Email: tbennett1@loyola.edu
Phone: 410-617-1231

Education

• Loyola University Maryland Class of '03 and '05

Areas of Specialization

• Clinical Specialist in Aphasia
• Areas of specialization include work with adults who have neurogenic swallowing and communication disorders including aphasia, apraxia, dysarthria, cognitive-communication disorders, dysphagia, tracheostomy/ventilator, in acute medical and rehabilitation settings.  
• Full-time clinical supervisor for the adult neuro rotation at the Loyola Clinical Centers at Belvedere Square. 
• Continues PRN work in acute care, acute rehab, and subacute rehab, and has also worked in home health, as well as a classroom instructor in Aphasia and Neurology coursework for graduate students.  
  Areas of clinical interest also include working with patients who have tracheostomy tubes, using speaking valves including in-line with a ventilator. 

Achievements (past 5 years)

Theresa trains graduate clinicians in Adult Neurogenic communication disorders, both individual and group sessions both in person and via telehealth as well as hybrid groups which allow clients to access care in ways that work best for each person. Group treatment sessions have included community outings in partnership with the Downtown Sailing Center’s Accessible Sailing Program, visits from Pets on Wheels, and outings to Maryland Therapeutic Riding. Theresa remains involved in graduate clinician training through several programs including: 

ABI: (Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) Interprofessional Assessment Team): this is an interdisciplinary program that includes SLP, Psychology and Audiology. A unique interprofessional assessment and treatment program serving the diverse cognitive, communication, and psychosocial needs of adults with acquired brain injury and disease. Our clients typically have neurological disorders resulting from stroke, traumatic brain injury, and progressive neurological disease. They often present with problems such as aphasia, apraxia of speech, dysarthria, and cognitive communication deficits. The interprofessional team includes members of the divisions of psychology, speech-language pathology, and audiology. 

PPA: Primary Progressive Aphasia Resource & Discussion Group. The group’s vision is to develop a strong, sustainable support network for people affected by PPA. The group strives to gather and share current information about the disease and other community resources with the people who need it most. This is accomplished through expert guest speakers, open discussions, and materials that are shared regularly at the meetings and through an email list. 

ITAP: Intensive Treatment for Aphasia Program: Summer evaluation and treatment program for adults with aphasia. Intensive= 6 hours per day, 2 days per week, for 6+ weeks of care. Aphasia is an acquired language disorder that impairs the ability to speak and/or understand others, that may also impair reading and/or writing abilities. ITAP is an intensive treatment program for adults with aphasia. Graduate students in speech-language pathology work with clients to improve overall communication abilities and life participation through 1:1 and group treatment sessions for up to 6 hours/day, 2 days per week, for 6 weeks. Following individualized assessment, a task-specific approach is employed; student clinicians work with clients to help them choose their own goals. Goals are targeted through traditional therapeutic approaches, as well as by activities that encourage carry-over of communication skills in the community. Clients also use technology to maximize communication skills and receive follow-up recommendations to promote continued improvement. 

Publications

Renaud, A., Alexander, T., Atticks, A., Preis, J. & Henson, A. (March, 2020). Utilizing IPE to enhance collaboration between nursing and speech-language pathology students in patients with tracheostomies. Poster presentation at the Nursing Education Research Conference, Washington, D.C. (*conference cancelled due to COVID-19)  

Preis, J., Atticks, A. Renaud, A., Henson, A., & Alexander, T. (2019, November 21-23). IPE Simulation: Enhancing Collaboration between nursing and speech-language pathology students for improved patient care [Poster Session]. ASHA, Orlando, Florida.  

About Theresa Alexander

Theresa has been practicing as an SLP for over 18 years, for much of her career on the Comprehensive Inpatient Rehabilitation (CIR) unit at MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital serving adult patients who have sustained stroke, spinal cord injury, and other illnesses. She achieved the title of Clinical Specialist in Aphasia on the clinical ladder before moving on to providing home care. She has worked full time as clinical faculty since 2015 at the Loyola Clinical Centers. Theresa has supported partnerships for training SLP graduate clinicians alongside nursing students at Notre Dame University of Maryland as well as interprofessional panels including members of rehabilitation teams including Physician Assistants, Physical Therapists, and Occupational Therapists. Outside of work, Theresa enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and English bulldog as well as running and swimming.