Murray State University’s Center for Communication Disorders receives designation as Kentucky’s official SPEAK OUT! Therapy and Research Center

The Center for Communication Disorders at Murray State University in Kentucky has recently been designated at the state’s official SPEAK OUT! Therapy and Research Center by Parkinson Voice Project. This designation makes the school one of the region’s leaders in providing speech therapy services, as well as research into and clinical education for people living with Parkinson’s disease and Parkinson’s Plus syndromes.

The designation comes along with a $50,000 grant for the next half decade to help fund the expansion of both in-person as well as telehealth services at the Murray State University Speech and Hearing Clinic, as well as student learning opportunities, and research into communication disorders.

In an article posted on Murray State University’s website, associate professor in the Center for Communication Disorders, Dr. Kikki Gaylord, noted that the designation will increase the higher education institution’s ability to provide free specialized speech therapy services to members of the community, as well as provide more care to people in the region with Parkinson’s disease, and create more opportunities for research.

People who have Parkinson’s disease or related neurological disorders often lose, or have negatively impacted, their ability to communicate and swallow safely. As patients’ symptoms continue, they may experience impaired facial expression, slurred speech, vocal loudness, and difficulty swallowing that may negatively impact their independence and quality of life.

The Center for Communication Disorders’ undergraduate coordinator, Megan Smetana, talked about how the destination will allow the school to help more patients link up with better treatment while also help close healthcare access gaps that rural communities often have to deal with. She said, "Expanding access to speech therapy in rural or underserved communities throughout Kentucky allows individuals with Parkinson's disease and Parkinson's Plus syndromes to receive evidence-based interventions earlier and more consistently. Ultimately, this improves functional communication, enhances quality of life, reduces caregiver burden and supports safer participation in daily activities."

The Center for Communication Disorders at Murray State will use the incoming grant money to support a number of actions that are already under way. Patients who do not have access to reliable transportation, have geographic barriers to healthcare, or are dealing with mobility limitations will be able to receive teletherapy services, bringing evidence-based treatment to their homes or wherever they have access to the internet.

The school will also be able to create more opportunities for students and faculty to take part in research. These research efforts will primarily look into the effectiveness of various treatments, and also look into evidence-based interventions around the aforementioned swallowing and communications disorders associated with Parkinson’s disease. Participating students will be mentored by faculty members in projects involving professional presentations, literature reviews, and data collection.

Gaylord made the point that universities are crucial in working to close gaps in healthcare through community engagement, research, and education: "Programs like this improve free, accessible care for underserved populations while also preparing future speech-language pathologists to meet growing healthcare needs across the state."

Leaders at Murray State University believe that the initiative will have a long lasting and positive impact on the region’s Parkinson’s care by expanding access to specialized services, encouraging earlier intervention among patients, and increasing awareness about the disease. The program is expected to encourage new research collaborations and community partnerships, as well as bring more speech language pathologists who are trained in neurological disorders to the area. 

Thanks to the assistance of the SPEAK OUT! Therapy and Research Center designation, the University will be able to continue its mission of serving the region through research, clinical care, and education, while also benefitting the lives of patients and families affected by Parkinson’s disease.

Information is available about free therapy services beginning this September for people diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease by contacting Megan Smetana by email at msmetana@murraystate.edu, or by phone at 270-809-6840. Dr. Kikki Gaylord can also be reached by email at jgaylord1@murraystate.edu or by phone at 270-809-5622.

More information about all the educational opportunities and services provided by Murray State University can be found at the school’s website.