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Donna Scarborough
Department Chair,
Professor
Speech Pathology and Audiology

Donna Scarborough, Ph.D.

Contact Info

Dysphagia Page

Education and Background

  • Doctorate of Philosophy in Speech Pathology, University of Cincinnati, 2002
  • Master of Science, University of Louisville, 1993
  • Bachelor of Science, University of Illinois, 1991

Dr. Scarborough is a speech-language pathologist and Professor in the Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology. She has taught a number of different classes at both the undergraduate and graduate levels over the past two decades.

Her research interests include developmental neurosensory physiology, dysphagia, transitional feeding, and medical pediatrics.

Dr. Scarborough has engaged in cross-disciplinary activities with Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering, Physician Associate Program, Nursing, Nutrition, Neuroscience, Statistics, and Farmer School of Business at Miami University. In conjunction with Dr. Bailey-Van Kuren (of Engineering) holds 2 patents. She currently holds an NIH, R21 grant titled, A Comparison of Treatment Strategies for Recovery of Swallow and Swallow-Respiratory Coupling Following a Prolonged Liquid Diet in a Young Animal Model. She collaborates with Dr. Susan Williams, from the College of Osteopathic Medicine Ohio University.

Dr. Scarborough was the Director of Graduate Studies August 2013-July 2022 after which time she became the interim Chair of the Department and then in 2023 became the Chair and Program Director. She has also held national board positions for the Dysphagia Research Society, American Speech-Language Hearing Association Special Interest Group (SIG) 13-Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders, and the American Board of Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders.

Professional Recognition and Affiliation

  • Member of American Speech Language Hearing Association (1993-present)
  • Member of Ohio Speech-Language Hearing Association (1996-present)
  • Member of Kentucky Speech Language Hearing Association (1997-present)
  • Dysphagia Research Society (2006-present)
  • Society for Ear, Nose, and Throat Advancement in Children (SENTAC) (2020-present)
  • Board Certified Specialist in Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders, pediatric clinical specialist, (2011-2022).

Selected Publications

  • Bailey-Van Kuren, M. Scarborough, D.R., Schubert, M.S**. (2023). A design-driven approach to develop innovative clinical experiences in dysphagia. Perspectives, SIG 13 Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders (Dysphagia). Epub ahead of print, 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1044/2023_PERSP-23-00112
  • Fishbein, M.H., Kronberg, J., Alvarado, S., Bohm, D., Ideran, P., & Scarborough, D.R. (2023). A multidisciplinary approach to infants with GERD-like symptoms: A new paradigm. Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology & Nutrition, 77 (1), 39-46(8). https://doi.org/10.1097/MPG.0000000000003802
  • Miller, C.K., Reynolds, J., Kelchner, L.N., Scarborough, D.R., Langmore, S.E., & Gosa, M. (2023). Tutorial on clinical practice for use of the fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) procedure with pediatric populations: Part 2. American Journal of Speech-Language , 32(1), 55-82. Pathology. https://doi.org/10.1044/2022_AJSLP-22-00057
  • Langmore, S.E., Scarborough, D.R., Kelchner, L.N., Swigert, N.B., Murray, J., Reece, S., Harrigan, L.C., Cavanaugh, T., Scheel, R., Gosa, M.M., & Rule, D. (2022) Tutorial on clinical practice for use of the fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) procedure with adult populations: Part 1. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 31, 163-187.
  • Bailey-Van Kuren, M. & Scarborough, D.R. (2021). Modeling of a controlled flow cup for improved transitional drinking development in children.Journal of Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies Engineering (RATE), 8,1-15.https://doi.org/10.1177/20556683211008765.
  • Olszewski, A.J., Scarborough, D.R., & Szumlas, G. (2021). The intersection of education and healthcare: Supporting children with chronic health conditions. Health Behavior and Policy Review,8(2), 184-193. DOI: https://doi.org/10.14485/HBPR.8.2.8.
  • Visconti, A**. Hayes, E.**Ealy, K.**, &  Scarborough, D.R. (2021), A Systematic Review: The Effects of Frenotomy on Breastfeeding and Speech in Children with Ankyloglossia. International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, pp. 349-358 (online pub) https://doi.org/10.1080/17549507.2020.1849399.
  • Budhan, J.**, Scarborough, D.R., Bailey-Van Kuren (2019). The Impact of a Novel Gaming Reinforcement System on Oral Intake Outcomes in Pediatric Feeding Therapy: A Single Case Study, American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 28(2):394-407. doi: 10.1044/2018_AJSLP-18-0120.
  • Creech TN**, Bailey-Van Kuren M, Sparks J, Becker SB*, Kou RSN, Wnek OC, Scarborough D.R. (2019),  A Comparison of Measurements of a Pediatric Supplement. Dysphagia, 34(2):269-270. doi:10.1007/s00455-018-9939-y
  • Scarborough, D.R., Brink, K**, Bailey Van Kuren (2018) Open-cup drinking development: A review of the literature, Dysphagia 33(3) 293-302.DOI: 10.1007/s00455-017-9871-6.

**student co-authors

Dysphagia

Dr. Donna Scarborough’s current research includes the following collaborations:

  • Collaboration with Susan Williams, from the College of Osteopathic Medicine Ohio University with an NIH, R21 grant titled, A Comparison of Treatment Strategies for Recovery of Swallow and Swallow-Respiratory Coupling Following a Prolonged Liquid Diet in a Young Animal Model. We are examining transitional feeding in a porcine model.
  • UNC-Chapel Hill Feeding team. In collaboration with Dr Krisi Brackett, they are examining the aberrant gag reflex responses in the PFD population. Additionally, Dr. Scarborough is collaborating with Dr. Christina Greeson in a study examining the effects of the clinical response and outcomes of cyproheptadine use in children two years old and younger who are treated for a pediatric feeding disorder (PFD) in an interdisciplinary feeding team
  • Collaboration with Dr. Mark Fishbein at Lurie Children’s Hospital examining feeding approaches in the pediatric population.
  • Ongoing collaboration with Dr. Michael Bailey-Van Kuren Emerging Technology in Business + Design, Chair and Associate Professor at Miami University. Together, they hold 2 patents. One patent involves the development of a “smart” transitional or sippy cup. The other patent involves the development of a hand glove device that alters the afferent limb of the gag reflex. Research continues with the “smart” cup and the development of 3-D measurement tools to study open cup drinking development and perceptions of children regarding the flow and rate of different prototype cups. Research also continues with the hand glove device to determine FDA parameters and utilization within a variety of clinical settings.