Kendrea L. (Focht) Garand

Dr. Kendrea Garand is currently an assistant professor in the Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology in the College of Allied Health Professions at the University of South Alabama. Further, she is the founder and director of the Swallowing Disorders Initiative Research Laboratory. She holds board certification in swallowing and swallowing disorders (BCS-S) and serves on the board of the American Board of Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders. Her primary research interests include assessment and management of dysphagia in patients with progressive neurodegenerative disease, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Her research efforts have been funded through Veterans Affairs, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, and the University of South Alabama.

Dr. Garand has published and presented at national and international levels, including at numerous proceedings of the Northeast ALS (NEALS) Consortium, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, and the Dysphagia Research Society. Further, she serves as co-chair of the Swallowing Working Group as part of the NEALS Bulbar Committee. Lastly, Dr. Garand continues to be activity involved in providing speech-language pathology services to adults with neurologic diseases/conditions resulting in swallowing and communication impairments.