What if speech therapy for Parkinson’s didn’t just help… but stayed with patients for life?
In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Samantha Elandary, MA, CCC-SLP, founder and CEO of the Parkinson Voice Project—and the powerhouse behind the SPEAK OUT!® therapy program. From her early days as an SLP navigating hospital systems to launching a nonprofit that’s helped thousands access care regardless of insurance status, Samantha shares her deeply personal “why” and the bold vision driving her mission.
We talk about:
- The surprising root of communication challenges in Parkinson’s
- Why traditional models of care weren’t cutting it—and how she built something better
- How her Pay It Forward funding model is rewriting what access looks like
- What SLPs need to know to truly support this population—and how they can get trained
Whether you’re an SLP new to Parkinson’s care or a seasoned clinician looking to make a bigger impact, this episode is full of heart, hope, and tangible takeaways.
Tune in now to hear how one SLP’s vision became a voice for thousands.
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Special links:
https://parkinsonvoiceproject.org/
https://parkinsonvoiceproject.org/program/speak-out/
https://parkinsonvoiceproject.org/program/parkinsons-speech-exercises/
Bio:
Samantha Elandary, MA, CCC-SLP is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Parkinson Voice Project. She has devoted the past 26 years of her life to making quality speech therapy accessible to individuals with Parkinson’s disease and related disorders. Under her leadership, Parkinson Voice Project developed the evidence-based SPEAK OUT!® Therapy Program to help the Parkinson’s population REGAIN and RETAIN speech and swallowing abilities. The program can improve volume, articulation, breath support for speech, vocal quality, intonation, and facial expression. Patients and families also report reduced drooling and improved swallowing. This highly effective, research-based treatment combines education, individual and group speech therapy, and daily home practice.
Elandary believes clinicians need the clinical skills and compassion to provide quality treatment while adhering to business practices that promote cost-effectiveness and efficiency.
Since 2008, Parkinson Voice Project has proudly provided its speech therapy services without billing insurance or charging for its services. The organization is primarily funded through donations made by grateful patients, families, and the community. With this unique funding model, no person diagnosed with Parkinson’s has ever been denied treatment at Parkinson Voice Project due to insurance or financial limitations.
