The Unseen Battle: How One Alumna Conquered a Rare Specialty in Healing

There’s a quiet, often unseen battle fought in hospital rooms every single day, one where the simplest acts — like swallowing a bite of food or a sip of water — become monumental challenges. And for patients grappling with these profound difficulties, a beacon of hope often arrives in the form of dedicated professionals. University of Tulsa alumna Andrea Rusk, who earned both her bachelor's (BS '06) and master's (MS '08) degrees from our very own campus, has, for want of a better phrase, achieved something truly remarkable in this specialized field.

She recently secured what’s known as Board Certification in Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders, or BCS-S for short. Now, you might be thinking, "What’s so special about that?" Well, in truth, it's an exceptionally rare credential. Picture this: out of all the speech-language pathologists across the entire nation, only about 400 individuals hold this specific, highly respected badge of honor. It’s a recognition, really, of an advanced level of clinical knowledge, a depth of skill, and an abundance of experience in understanding, assessing, and ultimately treating those often-debilitating swallowing disorders we call dysphagia.

Andrea, you see, spends her days, and some of her nights too, as a vital speech-language pathologist over at Mercy Hospital in Oklahoma City. And where does she often find herself? Right there in the Intensive Care Unit, the ICU, a place where life hangs delicately in the balance. Her expertise, her unwavering focus, is squarely on dysphagia – those very real, very frightening swallowing disorders. She’s there to guide patients back, slowly but surely, to the fundamental, joyous act of eating and drinking without fear, to safely nourish themselves once more. What an incredible improvement that is to their quality of life, wouldn't you agree?

Many of the folks she cares for, she’s quick to tell you, have just come off ventilators, perhaps after a lengthy intubation. Some even have a tracheostomy, making every breath, every sound, a challenge. Their stories are varied, but often heartbreaking: a stroke, a traumatic brain injury, or even a severe illness like, yes, the dreaded COVID-19, which, as we know, can leave a devastating trail of complications. "They simply can't eat, they can't drink, and sometimes they can't even manage their own saliva without a terrifying bout of coughing, choking, or worse, aspirating that fluid right into their lungs," Rusk shared, with a tone that truly conveyed the gravity of their situation. "For me, honestly, helping these patients, seeing them regain that ability to safely eat and drink? It's profoundly rewarding. It changes everything for them."

Now, getting this BCS-S certification? Oh, it’s no walk in the park; it’s genuinely a testament to an individual's sheer dedication. Applicants, for one, have to lay bare their advanced knowledge and skill through a process that’s, well, undeniably rigorous. It demands an incredibly extensive application, one that meticulously details every facet of their clinical experience. Then, there's the nerve-wracking presentation of a complex case study – imagine standing there, explaining every nuance of a challenging patient’s journey. And finally, of course, a truly comprehensive written examination, a deep dive into the subject matter. "The whole experience," Rusk reflected, "it really did push me to broaden my knowledge, especially in those less common areas, the ones you don't necessarily bump into every single day in your practice." And that's the beauty of it, isn't it? "It truly made me a better clinician," she continued, "and I honestly hope that means I can serve my patients, my community, with even greater effectiveness now."

Where did this incredible journey truly begin for Andrea? She’s quick, quite rightly, to point to her time at the University of Tulsa. It was there, she insists, that she received the foundational knowledge, the very bedrock, upon which her entire career has been built. "That master's program at TU," she recalled, a touch of fondness in her voice, "it gave me an incredible base of knowledge, yes, but also those critical clinical skills you absolutely need." And for anyone wondering about a specific spark, a particular influence, Andrea doesn’t hesitate: "Dr. Jessica Salmon, without a doubt, was instrumental. She truly shaped my passion for swallowing disorders." Her classes, her mentorship—they weren't just academic exercises; no, they actually ignited an interest and equipped Andrea with the precise tools she needed to dive headfirst into this highly specialized field.

And it's quite something, isn't it, that Dr. Salmon herself is a clinical professor right there at TU? She's not just any professor, mind you, but a nationally recognized expert in dysphagia, someone whose insights are sought after far and wide. In fact, she even sits on the board of the American Board of Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders—the very organization, ironically enough, that bestows this prestigious BCS-S certification. It really speaks volumes about the caliber of education one receives at TU, doesn’t it?

Andrea Rusk’s remarkable achievement isn't just a personal triumph, you could say; it's also a shining example of the dedication embedded within speech-language pathology. It showcases a deep, enduring commitment to advanced specialization, and perhaps more importantly, highlights the truly profound impact these professionals have on patient recovery and, ultimately, their overall well-being. Her unwavering focus, her pursuit of excellence, means that anyone facing the terrifying prospect of dysphagia can rest assured they’re receiving the absolute highest level of care. It's about helping them reclaim not just the ability to swallow, but to rediscover a vital part of what it means to live, truly improving their quality of life, one safe, confident swallow at a time. And isn't that, honestly, what true healing is all about?