SLI Celebrates its Fourth Anniversary

The Speech-Language Institute (SLI) of Salus University recently marked its four year anniversary.

Since opening its doors in July 2015, SLI has served both adults and children with a wide variety of speech, language, communication, feeding and swallowing disorders at no cost. Individuals who receive treatment at SLI can rest assured they are receiving the highest-quality care from specialists in the field. As the clinical facility for Salus University’s Department of Speech-Language Pathology (SLP), the staff, clinical educators and SLP students utilize the latest approaches and techniques to ensure disorders are addressed effectively.

Robert Serianni, interim chair/program director, was instrumental in developing the clinic and its curriculum. “SLI is a clinical training facility for Master of Science SLP students at Salus University. We are fortunate to be able to offer a variety of clinical services – from assessments to intervention to group treatment – for all sorts of communication and swallowing disorders,” said Serianni. 

Assessments and treatment are performed by the SLP student, who have had extensive training prior to working in the clinical facility and are under the supervision of a professional, credentialed SLP the entire time. The student reviews the case history and provides assessments to identify the patients’ needs/treatment options. After evaluating the current status, the student and clinical educator will review what treatment options are available and explain how they may help. Each treatment plan is tailored to the patient’s individual needs and goals. 

Below is a breakdown of appointments SLI has logged in the last four years for evaluations and treatments related to speech sound disorders, pediatric language delays, fluency, apraxia, aphasia, dysphagia, and Parkinson's disease. They’ve registered more than 98% client satisfaction from 2015 to present. 

Building upon their treatment sessions, over the years, SLI has introduced several specialized support groups for clients, parents, and caregivers focusing on intervention and techniques to improve communication. According to Serianni, “these support groups provide students with insights that go beyond the classroom teaching as clients share how their lives are impacted by their communication differences.” SLI has also made landmark contributions to the community through screenings, educational partnerships, and increased participation in local events.

The success of the clinical facility has been guided by a combination of strong leadership, passionate students, and a dedicated staff of clinical speech-language pathology educators. “Our team is strong because we each bring a unique set of work and life experiences together around one major theme – teaching the next generation of SLPs,” Serianni adds. “We are all so fortunate to have this opportunity!”

SLI looks forward to evaluating and treating current and future clients in the years to come. For more information or to make an appointment, please call 215.780.3150 or email SLInstitute@salus.edu.