Speech Therapy | Voice and Swallowing Center | Waldo County General Hospital


EXCELLENT CONFERENCE:   Speech Sound Disorders: Let's Get Practical & 101 Best Ways to Help Children Learn. Presented by Wayne Secord. April 29 & 30, 2010.  Click here for more information! 


Waldo County General Hospital (WCGH) recognized as one of the top three rural hospitals nationally by The Leapfrog Group.  Learn more....










Meet Our Voice and Swallowing Specialists


Mike ToweyMichael Towey, M.A., CCC-SLP: Mike has many years of professional experience and is a Fellow of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Mike provides voice training nationwide, in homes and offices, utilizing computer based video conferencing/telemedicine. He uses advanced video-editing software and state-of-the-art fiberoptics to evaluate vocal fold movement.  These high quality DVDs are  sent to physicians and patients for additional viewing, diagnostics and treatment. Mike makes presentations at national conferences; was appointed by the governor to the Maine Board of Examiners on Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and is past president of the Maine Speech-Language-Hearing Association. He is an instructor in voice disorders at the University of Maine and teaches voice and swallowing courses at Northern Arizona University.




Erica RickerErica Ricker, M.A., CCC-SLP: Erica is a graduate of the University of Maine. She has completed research in voice and fluency disorders and has presented her findings at national conferences. Erica has completed advanced training in laryngeal stroboscopic voice assessment and has expertise in both the Estill and Verdolini Lessac Madsen Voice Training techniques. Erica was an invited presenter at the Third Annual Vocal Cord Dysfunction Conference at National Jewish Hospital Medical Center in Denver, CO. She has presented on voice treatment at regional and national conferences, including the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. She is nationally certified in the Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT), a scientific treatment for voice disorders for Parkinson’s disease. Erica is from Ft. Fairfield, ME and a graduate of the University of Maine. She is past President of the Maine Speech Language Hearing Association.




Risa SmallMarisa Small M.S., CCC-SLP: Risa is a graduate of Boston University and Nova Southeastern University. She has expertise in assessment and management of swallowing disorders and is the primary swallow specialist at Waldo County General Hospital. She also works with therapists in other locations to assist in feeding and swallowing disorders. Risa is experienced in Modified Barium Swallow (MBS) studies and has advanced expertise using fiberoptic endoscopic imaging to complete FEES evaluations of swallowing. Fiberoptic examinations are prepared using advanced video-editing software, edited with clinical comments and provided to patients for treatment planning and to physicians for further diagnostic review. Risa also provides training to nurses and other health care professionals in the proper evaluation and management of swallowing disorders.

The Voice and Swallowing Center can be contacted by telephone at (207) 338-9349 or by email at speech@wcgh.org


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