Education
- Loyola University Maryland, M.S., Speech-Language Pathology, 2005
- Loyola University Maryland, B.A., Speech-Language Pathology, 2003
Phi Beta Kappa, 2003; Alpha Sigma Nu, 2003; Recipient of the Scottish Rite John W. Brockman Fellowship, 2004
Areas of Specialization
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Clinical Specialist in Aphasia
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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.
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Full-time clinical supervisor for the adult neuro rotation at the Loyola Clinical Centers at Belvedere Square.
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Continue PRN work in acute care, acute rehab, and outpatient 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.
- Alexander, T. (June, 2025). Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA): Key Concepts for the Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP). Environment of Learning Presentation to SLPs throughout the MedStar National Rehabilitation Network.
- Alexander, T. (October, 2024 and May, 2025). Mapping the Brain for Neuro Rehabilitation: An Interprofessional Approach. CEU presentation to PT/OT/SLP staff throughout MedStar National Rehabilitation Network.
- Alexander, T. (October, 2024 and September, 2025). Stroke Rehab: Speech, Language, & Swallowing. Guest lecture to Doctoral Students in Occupational Therapy Program at Notre Dame University, Maryland.
- Alexander, T. (June, 2024). Aphasia: Tips and Resources. Presentation to the public as an invited speaker by the Baltimore County Department of Aging.
- Alexander, T. (April, 2022). 5-minute live interview regarding aphasia on WBAL with Jennifer Franciotti following Bruce Willis’ and family public disclosure of his diagnosis of Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA).
- Faculty Fellow for Equity & Inclusion (2020-2021)
- Nominee: Faculty Award for Excellence in Graduate Teaching (2025, 2024)
- Certificate of Completion: Safe Zone Training (2025)
Theresa has been an invited speaker for continuing education presentations to SLPs, PTs, OTs, students, professionals, communication partners, and others. Recent invited presentations included MedStar National Rehabilitation Network: Brain Mapping for Neurorehabilitation, and Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA): Key Concepts for the Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP). She has also provided guest lectures for undergraduate courses at Loyola University Maryland in the SLHS department, as well as for OT students working towards their clinical doctorate at nearby Notre Dame University Maryland. She has also provided community education and training regarding aphasia as an invited speaker by the Baltimore County Department of Aging.
Most notably, Theresa has recently established her own private practice as an SLP through the Faculty Practice Plan at the Loyola Clinical Centers. Charm City Brains, LLC, serves adults with swallowing and neurogenic communication disorders.
In her full-time role as clinical faculty, Theresa trains graduate clinicians in the evaluation and treatment of adults with 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. She has also established an innovative Peer Mentor program for stroke survivors which includes a focus on wellness strategies for secondary stroke prevention, as well as a focus on leveraging the principles of neuroplasticity for continued progress beyond the window of spontaneous recovery.
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, Neuropsychology 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, or 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 gathers monthly to share current information about PPA 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 meetings and through an email list of over 250 people.
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 understand others, that may also impair reading and 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 the carryover of communication skills in the community. Clients also use technology to maximize communication skills and receive follow-up recommendations to promote continued improvement.
About Theresa Alexander
Theresa has been practicing as an SLP for over 20 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. She continues to care for inpatients at all four MedStar north hospitals evaluating and treating swallowing and communication disorders, occasionally covering other hospitals within the MedStar Health network throughout the state of Maryland, even providing innovative telehealth services to patients in a hospital in a rural location. Outside of work, Theresa enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and English bulldog as well as running and swimming.