Professor

Darci Becker, PhD

Darci Becker received her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology in 1991 from the University of Northern Iowa and her PhD in Speech and Hearing Science in 2011 from the University of Iowa. She has been an Iowa-licensed and ASHA-certified speech-language pathologist for 32 years and worked for 26 years in an inpatient hospital setting. While working in the hospital, she acquired and maintained Board Certification in Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders (BCS-S) from the American Board of Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders for 10 years.

She is a professor at St. Ambrose University having joining the faculty in 2009. She teaches graduate courses in dysphagia and acquired language, cognitive, and motor speech disorders and serves as a clinical supervisor for clients receiving speech-language services at the St. Ambrose Rite Care Clinic. She has served as the faculty researcher at St. Ambrose University for over 40 master’s level graduate research projects. Darci has presented lectures and research at many regional, state and national conferences.

Contact Us

Center for Communication and Social Development

563-333-3925

BeckerDarciL@sau.edu

Education and Training

PhD, University of Iowa, Speech and Hearing Science
MA, BA, University of Northern Iowa, Speech-Language Pathology
Certifications: Board Recognized Specialist in Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders (2011-21), Speak Out Provider, MBSImP Certified

Recent Publications

Becker, D. "Dysphagia Across the Lifespan," Iowa Conference on Communicative Disorders, April 15, 2021 (Invited Virtual Presentation)
Finn, M., Nevarez, G., & Becker, D, "Productivity Requirements for Speech-Language Pathologists Working in Healthcare: The Impact on Therapists and Patients," October 2020 Iowa Speech-Language-Association Annual Convention (Virtual poster presentation)
Finn, M., Nevarez, G., & Becker, D, "Productivity Requirements for Speech-Language Pathologists Working in Healthcare: The Impact on Therapists and Patients," November 2020 Annual Convention of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, San Diego, CA (Convention canceled) (Poster presentation)
Becker, D. "Employing Best Practice: A Clinical Review of Dysphagia Updates Across the Lifespan" Quad Cities Speech-Language-Hearing Association, May 7, 2020 (Invited Virtual Presentation)
Marquis, K & Becker, D. "Speech-Language Pathologists' Confidence, Preparation and Experience with Providing Services to Children with Tracheostomy Tubes in the School Setting" Iowa Speech-Language-Hearing Association Annual Convention, Des Moines, Iowa, October 16-17, 2019 (Poster Presentation)
Racelis, H, Wagner, A & Becker, D "Job Satisfaction for Speech-Language Pathologists: Medical versus School-based Setting," Iowa Speech-Language-Hearing Association Annual Convention, Des Moines, Iowa October 16-17, 2019 (Poster Presentation)
Chaney, S, Schwendinger, A & Becker, D. "The Weekend Dilemma: A Survey Regarding Weekend Staffing and Instrumental Swallowing Assessment Practices", November 2018 Annual Convention of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Boston, Massachusetts (Poster Presentation)
Wehling, P, Cruchton, C & Becker, D. "The Impact of New Onset of Aphasia on Discharge Setting From the Hospital" November 2018 Annual Convention of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Boston Massachusetts (Poster Presentation)
Wilson, A., Rehmert, J. & Becker, D. "Performance on Two Variations of N-Back Tasks in Young Adults" 2017 American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Annual Convention, Los Angeles, CA (Poster presentation)
Andujar, J. & Becker, D. "Training and Detraining Effects of a Lingual and Labial Resistive Exercise Regimen on Lingual and Labial Strength, Speech and Swallowing in an Adult with Chronic Dysphagia and Dysarthria" 2017 American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Annual Convention, Los Angeles, CA (Poster presentation)
Becker, D., "Evidence-Based Practice: Dysphagia" Quad City Speech-Language-Hearing event, Bettendorf, Iowa, May 25, 2017 (Invited Presentation)
Barr, J., Becker, D., Hughes, B., Kalber, S., Oh, H., Seetharaman, S., & Trujillo, K. "Making Best Choices As We Age," Center for Aging presentation, St. Ambrose University, April 28, 2017 (Presentation)
Becker, D. "Providing Valuable Dysphagia Services in Today's Health Care Climate." Iowa Conference on Communicative Disorders, Cedar Falls, Iowa, 2015 (Invited Presentation)
Locricchio K., Schieferdecker, C. & Becker, D., "Modified Barium Swallow Study Research" Genesis Research Summit, June 18, 2015, Adler Education Center Auditorium, Davenport, Iowa (Presentation)
Davis, R, Ponce, C., St. Peter, L., & Becker, D. "Speech-Language Therapy via Telepractice for Two Adults with Aphasia," Iowa Speech and Hearing Association Annual Convention, October 24, 2014 (Poster presentation)
Becker, D. & Tews, L., "Dysphagia"(Chapter 54), A Comprehensive Guide to Geriatric Rehabilitation, 3rd, ed., text by Kauffman, Scott, Barr, Moran & Wolf, Elsevier, October 2014 (Publication)
Rohman, K. & Becker, D. "Four Protocols for Eliciting Tongue-Strength Measures Using the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument," 2013 American Speech-Language-Hearing Association convention, "Chicago, Illinois (Poster Presentation)
Kellen, P., Becker, D., Reinhardt, J. and Van Daele, D. , "Computer-Assisted Assessment of Hyoid Bone Motion from Videofluoroscopic Swallow Studies," Dysphagia, 2010 Dec 25(4), 298-306. (Publication)
Becker, D., Tews, L. & Lemke, J. (2008). "An Oral Water Protocol in Rehabilitation Patients With Dysphagia for Liquids" American Speech-Language- Hearing Annual Convention presentation, Chicago, Illinois (Presentation)

Presentations

2023:

Iowa Speech-Language Hearing Association Convention Poster Presentations:

“Investigating the Team Approach for Speaking Valve Use in Tracheostomized Patients in Hospital Settings,” Behn, Jargo, Sellers & Becker
“Exploring SLPs Use of the Dysphagia Competency Validation Tool and Other Competency Assessments,” McDonnell, Weigel, Wynne, & Becker
“The Role of Speech-Language Pathologists Working With Individuals Serving Time in the Correctional System,” MacGillivray, Slade, Smith & Becker

2022:

ASHA convention Poster Presentation, New Orleans, LA, “Productivity Requirements for Hospital Speech-Language Pathologists and the Impact of COVID-19,” Galbato, Krapfl & Becker) *earned designation of “Meritorious Poster Submission” by the Convention Topic Committee
Invited presentation (virtual) “The Aging Swallow,” 5th Annual UnityPoint Health Therapy Conference, (1 hour)
Institute for Person-Centered Care 2022 conference, St. Ambrose University, Co-Presenter “Talk With Me, Not To Me: Facilitating Patient-Provider Communication as the Cornerstone of Person-Centered Care.”

2021:

Invited presentation Iowa Conference on Communicative Disorders, Cedar Falls, Iowa, “Dysphagia Across the Lifespan,” (2 hours)

2020:

Iowa Speech-Language Hearing Association Convention Poster Presentation

“Productivity Requirements for Speech-Language Pathologists Working in Healthcare: The Impact on Therapists and Patients,” Finn, Nevarez, & Becker

American Speech-Language Hearing Convention, Sand Diego, CA Accepted Poster Presentation, “Productivity Requirements for Speech-Language Pathologists Working in Healthcare: The Impact on Therapists and Patients,” Finn, Nevarez, & Becker (Convention canceled)
Invited Presentation Quad Cities Speech-Language-Hearing Association “Employing Best Practice: A Clinical Review of Dysphagia Updates Across the Lifespan"
Presentation at Handicapped Development Center, Davenport “Implementing IDDSI: Lunch and Learn” (presented with graduate student Clarissa Thomas)

2019:

Iowa Speech-Language Hearing Convention Poster Presentation, ISHA Convention -“Speech-Language Pathologists’ Confidence, Preparation and Experience with Providing Services to Children with Tracheostomy Tubes in the School Setting," Marquis & Becker (presented by Kendra Marquis, graduate student)
“Job Satisfaction for Speech-Language Pathologists: Medical versus School-based Setting,” Racelis, Wagner & Becker)
Invited Presentation Genesis Medical Center, Outpatient Therapy, Bettendorf, “The IDDSI (International Dysphagia Diet Standardization Initiative” Framework

Courses Taught

Acquired Language and Cognitive Disorders

This course includes information related to etiology, prevention, assessment, and intervention of language and cognitive disorders secondary to acquired brain damage across the lifespan. Topics include: anatomy, neuropathology, and cognitive and communication characteristics associated with aphasia, right hemisphere disorders, acquired brain injury and dementia. Students will differentiate these disorders on the basis of site of neurologic damage and cognitive-communicative characteristics. Students will integrate information and refine skills in prevention, assessment and intervention of persons through real life and hypothetical experiences, such as role-playing activities and lab assignments. Evidence-based practice in assessment and treatment will be a key focus, as well as multicultural issues in service delivery and client advocacy.

Dysphagia

This course provides a thorough understanding of normal and abnormal swallowing anatomy and physiology across the lifespan. Topics include the prevention, assessment, and treatment of swallowing disorders; etiologies of abnormal swallowing; multicultural issues; ethical dilemmas; special populations, such as tracheotomy/ventilator dependent populations or head and neck cancer patients; diagnostics (instrumental and non-instrumental), assessment, and intervention; and inter-professional approaches to the assessment and treatment of swallowing disorders. An emphasis on evidence-based practice is discussed along with client advocacy. Students integrate and refine skills through lab assignments, role-playing, simulations, real life experiences, and hypothetical case studies.

Voice and Resonance Disorders

This course provides a thorough understanding of basic physical, physiological, pedagogical principles in understanding professional and nonprofessional impaired voice production; vocal anatomy, voice classification; control of loudness, pitch, register, quality; efficient and inefficient use of voice; and instrumentation for voice analysis. This course is also designed to provide students with a practical foundation in the area of craniofacial anomalies, specifically, etiologies, embryology, genetics, impact of anomalies on speech, assessment procedures, and intervention techniques. In addition, best practice in assessment and treatment with emphasis on evidence-based practice will be discussed along with client advocacy. Students integrate and refine skills in prevention, evaluation, assessment, and intervention for these disorders thorugh real life experiences, as well as hypothetical case studies and role playing experiences.

Motor Speech Disorders

This course covers topics relevant to the etiology, prevention, assessment, and treatment of speech disorders secondary to developmental and acquired central and/or peripheral damage to the nervous system in children and adults. Topics include identification of motor speech disorders which result from neurologic disease or injury and differentiation of these disorders from other related disorders. Students participate in real and/or hypothetical assessment and intervention experiences related to motor speech disorders. In addition, evidence-based practice, multicultural issues and client advocacy are addressed.

Community Service

St. Ambrose University Grievance Panel Volunteer

Health Sciences Camp Faculty Regular Presenter

Panel with Dr. Burmeister, ENT for World Voice Day in Voice Pedagogy class/Nathan Windt (April 2024)

Faculty Lead: Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) program (2018-present)

Clinical Supervisor for St. Ambrose University Interprofessional screening event at CASI, Davenport, Iowa (April 2023)

Call Committee member, First Lutheran Church, Maquoketa, Iowa (October 2016-present)

First Lutheran Women Vice Chair, First Lutheran Church, Maquoketa, Iowa (January 2016-present)

First Lutheran Women Council Representative, First Lutheran Church, Maquoketa, Iowa (2017)

Facilitator, Interdisciplinary Day, CHHS programs, St. Ambrose University April 2017

New Faculty Mentor, St. Ambrose University (3rd consecutive year)

Center for Teaching Excellence Advisory Board, St. Ambrose University (2015 to present)

Center on Aging Committee, MSLP Representative, St. Ambrose University (2015 to present)

Chair of MSLP Applicant Appeals Committee, St. Ambrose University (5th consecutive year)

Passing on the Faith committee (a ministry for college-age members), First Lutheran Church, Maquoketa, Iowa (2014 to present)

President of Congregation, First Lutheran Church council, Maquoketa, Iowa (2015)

Higher Learning Commission Criterion 2 Subcommittee, St. Ambrose University (2014-2017)

Health Careers Exploration Course Committee, St. Ambrose University (2014)

Vice President of Congregation, First Lutheran Church, Maquoketa, Iowa (2014)

Professional Memberships

Member of American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), Certificate of Clinical Competence

ASHA Special Interest Divisions Member

SIG 2 - Neurophysiology and Neurogenic Speech
SIG 3 - Voice and Upper Airway Disorders
SIG 13 - Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders

Member of the Iowa Speech-Language-Hearing Association

Member of the Quad City Speech-Language-Hearing Association

Member of Dysphagia Research Society

Board Certified Specialist in Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders, American Board Specialty Recognition in Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders

Earned/maintained while working at Genesis Medical Center; 2011-2021

Honors and Awards

2024: Earned 9th American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Award for Continuing Education (requires 70 contact hours of continuing education credit in a 36 month period, more than twice the minimum number of required continuing education hours required by ASHA to maintain clinical certification)