Treatment Philosophy

Here at CCM Health we believe communication is a basic need and right of all human beings. We strive to help our patients reach their goals so they can engage in daily activities involving effective communication and safe eating. We pride ourselves in providing services through the life cycle, from newborns to older adults. These services are provided in the following settings: inpatient, outpatient, home health and nursing homes.

Scope of Practice

Speech-language pathologists at CCM Health are certified by the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA) and licensed by the state of Minnesota. As defined by ASHA, SLP’s hold the ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP), which requires a master’s, doctoral, or other recognized post baccalaureate degree. ASHA-certified speech-language pathologists complete a supervised postgraduate professional experience and pass a national exam. Demonstration of continued professional development is mandated for the maintenance of the certification and licensure.

Specialty Services

1. CCMH Memory Care Clinic: We have to admit, as our population ages, we worry more about our memory. We ask ourselves if it’s normal to lose our keys or to forget appointments. We are here to help! Our primary goal at the Memory Care Clinic is to assist you, your loved ones/caregivers, and your healthcare provider in obtaining a complete and objective evaluation of your memory and other thinking skills, collectively known as cognition. If our findings suggest that cognition is less than what’s expected, our second goal is to determine the impact those challenges are having on your ability to communicate effectively and to safely take care of yourself and to successfully complete your daily responsibilities. Plus, we take a unique perspective on memory care and also assist your loved-ones/caregivers in determining the impact your situation is having on them. The Memory Care Clinic staff includes a speech-language pathologist, an occupational therapist, and a family nurse practitioner, all considered to be experts in the area of cognition (memory and other thinking skills). The evaluation process takes about 5 hours over the course of 2 days. At the end of the second day, the Memory Care Clinic staff meets with you and your family members/caregivers to share the evaluation results and to make recommendations. Our recommendations are intended to assist you, your loved-ones/caregivers and your healthcare provider in making educated and safe decisions regarding your health and safety.
2. Dementia Caregiver Support and Education Group (DCSE-“Dixie”): DCSE is facilitated by Gretchen Reeves who is a speech-language pathologist here at CCMH. The support group meets the 2nd Thursday of the month, from 10:30-12:00 noon in the Clinic Conference Room. The group is designed specifically for caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s-type dementia and other dementia-related illnesses. DCSE provides a safe and confidential environment where you can find support for your unique challenges and receive education about dementia.
3. Lee Silverman Voice Therapy (LSVT): 89% of people who have Parkinson’s disease (PD) will have problems with speech that start early in the disease process and will progressively worsen. This can include a soft voice, mumbled speech, and/or a hoarse voice. LSVT is a standardized treatment program designed specifically for people who have Parkinson’s disease affecting their ability to communicate. Gretchen Reeves is a certified LSVT clinician who provides this service at CCM Health.