Though she’s excited to retire and return to New Mexico for a new chapter, Linda Spencer, PhD, CCC-SLP, fondly looks back on her time from 2016-24 as the Director of the Master of Science in Medical Speech-Language Pathology (MS MedSLP) program at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions (RMU).
“It’s been a wild ride here at RMU. It started out kind of like being on a bucking bronco. We fell a couple of times but got back on the horse. We had our high points,” Dr. Spencer said. “This program is a gem. It’s a diamond.”
Being replaced by a trusted colleague, current Center for Communication Disorders (CCD) Clinic Director Wendy Chase, MA, CCC-SLP, gives Dr. Spencer a measure of comfort and confidence. She knows that RMU’s MS MedSLP program is in good hands. They have worked together since 2017, spearheading a powerhouse faculty and program, and propelling the CCD to the benefit of students and the community.
“Wendy is an amazing innovator. She’s like a racehorse. You can’t hold her back. Just stay out of her way and let her do what she wants. And it’s contagious,” Dr. Spencer said. “That’s been my philosophy. I really do lead from behind, and I’ve been able to do that because of the faculty and our strong support staff of Sausha Herget and Lauren Murray.”
In addition, ElBea Stonier, MS, CCC-SLP, has been promoted to the position of Director of Clinical Education and Clinic Director. In this dual role, previously fulfilled by Chase, Stonier will oversee the clinic and supervise the clinical education of RMU’s MS MedSLP students. She will also continue to teach as an Assistant Clinical Professor, which she’s done at RMU since 2018.
Dr. Spencer has been an integral cornerstone of the MS MedSLP program. In addition to her directorial duties, she has also carried a full load as a professor.
“The Master of Science in Medical Speech-Language Pathology program has blossomed under the direction and leadership of Dr. Linda Spencer,” said Dr. Malissa Martin, RMU Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs & Provost. “Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions commends Dr. Spencer for her diligent work and for the impact she’s made on our students and alumni, and for the advancements she’s helped make in the speech-language pathology community. Her work in the community, highlighting inclusiveness in practice, is a cornerstone of her contributions. We wish her the best in retirement.
“At the same time, we optimistically look forward to a bright future and have utmost confidence in Wendy Chase as she smoothly transitions from Clinic Director to Program Director of our excellent MS MedSLP program.”
Along with building the MS MedSLP program from scratch at RMU, Dr. Spencer has pride in a variety of things her team has accomplished in seven years.
That includes:
- RMU’s work with helping the transgender community find their voice (led by Chase)
- A robust simulation training program — in partnership with local hospitals — that has become one of the best in the nation for SLP students (a group effort led by Chase and Associate Professor Dr. Phil Sechtem)
- State-of-the-art equipment and top-tier training for Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) education (led by Sechtem)
- Advancements in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) training and treatment (led by Assistant Professor ElBea Stonier)
- Pediatric feeding success (Stonier)
- Partnering with the Franklin Community Center to assist underserved people in Utah County (led by Assistant Professor Kristen Ipson)
- Aid provided and doors opened through African humanitarian service trips
- Established a renowned Dysphagia Conference, which is highly respected across the country (Spencer and Ipson)
- A medical focus that helps alumni enter the workforce with a high level of preparedness (whole faculty).
Dr. Spencer, who earned bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees at the University of Iowa, was the Program Director of the Communication Disorders department at New Mexico State University before coming to RMU in 2016. Her area of research includes the speech, language and literacy development of children with severe to profound hearing loss.
Chase joined RMU as a professor and Clinic Director in July 2017. She earned a bachelor’s degree at Central Michigan University and a master’s degree at Northwestern University. She has three decades of experience in clinical positions, treating clients from infancy through geriatrics and in locations from home care to hospitals. Prior to coming to RMU, Chase was employed as the Director of Clinical Education at the University of Connecticut.
Over the years, Chase has focused on interprofessional education and practice, communication and voice treatment with transgender or gender fluid clients, and assessment of swallowing in clients with ventilator dependency. Her classroom teaching has focused on dysphagia and clinical methods. She believes that critical thinking and evidence-influenced practice are hallmarks of an excellent speech-language pathologist and strives to support student acquisition of these core skills through quality clinical education.
Stonier specializes in treating infants and toddlers with communication, feeding and swallowing, and cognitive delays. She earned degrees at Boise State (bachelor’s) and Idaho State (master’s).
“I think there are a lot of opportunities to continue to entice students to come to this program over other programs,” Dr. Spencer said. “This program has used an innovative way to handle rough spots. It’s a hidden gem. There are a lot of opportunities for this program to just explode because it will give students some of the best preparation in the whole country for working in the medical field.”
