Her Story
About Melissa
Melissa Bingham is an accomplished speech-language pathologist with 28 years of experience across school-based services, long-term acute care, pediatric diagnostics, private practice, teletherapy, and international settings. She is ASHA-certified and licensed in Oklahoma, with extensive expertise in communication and swallowing disorders, particularly dysphagia management. Her clinical experience includes modified barium swallow studies, videofluoroscopy, Passy-Muir speaking valves, sEMG biofeedback, neuromuscular electrical stimulation, and IDDSI protocol development. She has also trained clinicians, nursing staff, graduate students, and families in dysphagia identification and safe feeding practices.
Melissa earned a master's degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Oklahoma State University and is currently a doctoral candidate in Language, Literacy, and Culture with a cognate in International Education. Her doctoral research focuses on adapting dialogic reading for adolescents with developmental language disorder, using graphic novels and sociocultural discourse analysis to examine clinician-student interactions. She is also conducting qualitative research on burnout among speech-language pathologists, reflecting her interest in addressing challenges within the profession and connecting research with practical clinical care.
Throughout her career, Melissa has combined clinical practice, research, education, and community service. She developed a literacy program for Hispanic families through a WIC program and received an FDA commendation for the initiative. Her international experiences in Belgium, Belize, and Finland have further influenced her interest in education and cultural perspectives. Through her clinical expertise and doctoral research, Melissa continues to contribute to the advancement of speech-language pathology while advocating for evidence-based approaches that improve communication, swallowing safety, and quality of life.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Melissa
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my passion for academics and my commitment to advancing the science of speech pathology. I pursued my doctoral degree to deepen my knowledge and contribute to the field, while helping others maintain the ability to eat, communicate, and enjoy life.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
I’ve learned that the more you know, the more you grow. I always stay open to new experiences and embrace challenges because they create opportunities to learn, improve, and grow professionally.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the industry is to focus on execution, stay adaptable, and embrace the power of the pivot. Stand tall and be proud of your work, while always advocating for yourself and your value.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in the field is that medical doctors can override the recommendations of licensed and certified speech-language pathologists. Variations in training, along with high caseloads and very short patient visits, can also contribute to burnout and make it difficult to provide the quality of care patients deserve.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are keeping things in perspective, making thoughtful decisions, and leading by example. I also value being open and honest with others and remaining willing to learn and grow through new experiences.
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