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The International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative is a global effort to standardize terminology and test methods for the dysphagia diet. The promise is better research and better patient outcomes. The diet is ASHA endorsed and is the process of being implemented across the country.
About the Presenters:
John Holahan

President and Founder of SimplyThick, LLC. Mr. Holahan is also the inventor of the company’s patented thickener - SimplyThick. He graduated from the University of Minnesota a B.S. in Paper Science and Engineering in 1992. In 2001, Mr. Holahan graduated from the Executive MBA program at Washington University in St. Louis. As part of his academic career, he has been elected to both the honor societies for forestry and business – Xi Sigma Pi and Beta Gamma Sigma. Mr. Holahan has worked with thickeners – and not just in healthcare -- for his entire business career. Initially, he worked for Kelco – a thickener company owned by Merck and eventually sold to Monsanto – where he became an expert in several industrial thickeners. During his MBA, Mr. Holahan developed the business plan for SimplyThick and upon graduation in 2001, founded the company and has worked there ever since.
John Holahan's Presenter Disclosures:
Financial: President and Founder of SimplyThick, LLC. Paid by SimplyThick.
Non-financial: SimplyThick, LLC is a financial supporter of IDDSI but has no input on the content or direction of IDDSI.
Mr. Holahan is a member of the Canadian IDDSI Expert Reference Group.
Laurie Berger

Laurie Berger, MBA RD LD is a Regional Manager for Simplythick LLC in the Midwest Region. She works with acute, long term care and chain accounts, and distribution and home healthcare customers in educating on dysphagia and the use of Simplythick. Laurie earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Dietetics and Restaurant Hotel Management from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, and her Masters of Business Administration with a Marketing emphasis from Webster University in St. Louis, MO. Laurie is a Registered and Licensed Dietitian. Besides working in the dysphagia area for the last 18 years, Laurie has worked in various areas in nutrition and food service, including sales and marketing for adult and pediatric medical nutritional products, soy protein products, as a clinical dietitian and in the pharmaceutical and medical device industries.
Laurie is a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the Missouri Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. She is also a member of Dietitians in Health Care Communities, Medical Nutrition Practice Group, Dietitians in Business and Communications and Clinical Nutrition Management.
Laurie lives in St. Louis and in normal times likes international travel, hiking, taking walks with her dog - Petula, attending St. Louis Blues and St. Louis Cardinals games, eating at ethnic restaurants and reading.
Laurie Berger's Presenter Disclosures:
Financial: Employee of SimplyThick, LLC. Paid by SimplyThick.
Non-financial: No non-financial relationships to disclose.
Sponsor Disclosure:
This course is presented by CEU-Espresso, Inc.
Content Disclosure:
This learning event does not focus exclusively on any specific product or service.
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