Acute Care Speech-Language Pathology Fellowship
This intensive fellowship program is designed to help you learn to apply didactic information to clinical practice with adult patients who have a wide range of disorders, in the acute care hospital setting.
Duration: 12 months
Apply: Apply through Interfolio. Applicants will create a free account in Dossier. Uploaded documents will be saved in the user’s account and can be used for other Interfolio-hosted applications.
Application period: January 1, 2026 - March 1, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. EST
Interview date: End of March
Interview decision timeline: April
Program start: August
Prerequisites: applicant must be eligible for a limited license in Maryland and to work in the United States without visa sponsorship by the PMR department.
View fellowship flyer
Please click the pay application fee link to pay the supplementary application fee. Application will not be processed until the fee is received and application is complete. All fees must be paid by midnight E.S.T. on date of application deadline. All fees are non-refundable.
This program has provided me the opportunity to attend and present at several conferences, as well as write for the ASHA Leader. The acute care therapy leadership supports additional experiences and professional development.
Kristen Martin, Class of 2018
Fellowship Features
- Clinical evaluation and treatment experience in the areas of motor speech, language, cognition, swallowing, tracheostomy management, speech generating devices and alternative communication.
- One-on-one mentorship with experienced SLPs.
- Didactic experience, including: surgery observations, participation in multidisciplinary rounds, monthly swallowing conference and monthly journal club meetings.
- MBS-IMP certification.
- Participation in scholarly activities including: case presentations, multidisciplinary education, and research project with the opportunity to present at a conference or submit for publication.
Fellowship Director
Dana Kilonsky, M.A., CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Director of the and Acute Care SLP Fellowship Program
Email: [email protected]
Director of the and Acute Care SLP Fellowship Program
Email: [email protected]
Current Fellow
Roxy Miltenberger, CF-SLP | Class of 2026
Undergraduate school: University of Florida, bachelor's in psychology-neuroscience
Graduate school: Purdue University, master's in speech-language pathology
Hometown: Tampa, Florida
Professional interests: all things neuro especially aphasia and cognition, instrumental swallow studies for dysphagia management and tracheostomy care with use of Passy Muir speaking valves
Why I chose Johns Hopkins: I chose Hopkins because of the robust clinical fellowship program that allows for in-depth learning across the spectrum of SLP services which is made possible by the diversity of the patient population that I'll have the chance to work with. Additionally, I admired the expertise and genuine support that the team offered and knew I would be part of a healthy and accepting work environment.
What I like about Baltimore: I love that I live close enough to walk to the hospital for work every day! I'm also constantly exploring the area and finding new places to go and things to see!
Graduate school: Purdue University, master's in speech-language pathology
Hometown: Tampa, Florida
Professional interests: all things neuro especially aphasia and cognition, instrumental swallow studies for dysphagia management and tracheostomy care with use of Passy Muir speaking valves
Why I chose Johns Hopkins: I chose Hopkins because of the robust clinical fellowship program that allows for in-depth learning across the spectrum of SLP services which is made possible by the diversity of the patient population that I'll have the chance to work with. Additionally, I admired the expertise and genuine support that the team offered and knew I would be part of a healthy and accepting work environment.
What I like about Baltimore: I love that I live close enough to walk to the hospital for work every day! I'm also constantly exploring the area and finding new places to go and things to see!
Fellowship Alumni
Kristen Anita Henry, CF-SLP | Class of 2025
Undergraduate school: Southeastern Louisiana University, bachelor's of arts
Graduate school: University of Washington, master's of science in medical speech language pathology
Hometown: Louisiana
Professional interests: Augmentative and alternative communication in acute care, dysphagia, cognition, aphasia, trach/vent
Why I chose Johns Hopkins: I chose this program to continue to establish the best speech therapy foundation with intensive complex patients. My goal in the near future is to bring those resources to Louisiana.
Graduate school: University of Washington, master's of science in medical speech language pathology
Hometown: Louisiana
Professional interests: Augmentative and alternative communication in acute care, dysphagia, cognition, aphasia, trach/vent
Why I chose Johns Hopkins: I chose this program to continue to establish the best speech therapy foundation with intensive complex patients. My goal in the near future is to bring those resources to Louisiana.
Julia Pan, CF-SLP | Class of 2024
Undergraduate school: University of Pittsburgh, bachelor's of arts in communication science disorders
Graduate school: University of Pittsburgh, master's of arts in speech-language pathology
Hometown: Allentown, Pennsylvania
Professional interests: dysphagia, aphasia, cognition, trach/vent
Why I chose Johns Hopkins: I chose this program because of the incredibly supportive learning environment and the wealth of opportunities offered. From rotating in different service lines to research and other didactic experiences, I knew that I would be equipped with the skills to advocate for patients and become a competent clinician across a wide spectrum of practice areas.
What I like about Baltimore: I have really enjoyed exploring the culture and history of Baltimore. I love walking by the water or checking out new restaurants with the other residents and fellows.
Graduate school: University of Pittsburgh, master's of arts in speech-language pathology
Hometown: Allentown, Pennsylvania
Professional interests: dysphagia, aphasia, cognition, trach/vent
Why I chose Johns Hopkins: I chose this program because of the incredibly supportive learning environment and the wealth of opportunities offered. From rotating in different service lines to research and other didactic experiences, I knew that I would be equipped with the skills to advocate for patients and become a competent clinician across a wide spectrum of practice areas.
What I like about Baltimore: I have really enjoyed exploring the culture and history of Baltimore. I love walking by the water or checking out new restaurants with the other residents and fellows.
Mary Gentile, CF-SLP | Class of 2023
Undergraduate school: Case Western Reserve University, bachelor's of arts in communication sciences and psychology
Graduate school: University of Pittsburgh, master's of arts in speech-language pathology
Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Professional interests: instrumental assessment of dysphagia, trach/vent, aphasia, and enriched cognitive therapy
Why I chose Johns Hopkins: I chose this program because I knew it would help me develop into a highly competent clinician that practices at the top of my license in the acute care setting. My patients deserve the best care possible, and I knew that the mentorship and guidance I would receive at JH would mold me into a clinician that could provide that standard of care.
What I like about Baltimore: I like that Baltimore has the feel of a smaller city in which everyone is friendly and kind to each other. It is heartwarming to share a genuine smile with a passing stranger for no other reason than to spread joy.
Graduate school: University of Pittsburgh, master's of arts in speech-language pathology
Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Professional interests: instrumental assessment of dysphagia, trach/vent, aphasia, and enriched cognitive therapy
Why I chose Johns Hopkins: I chose this program because I knew it would help me develop into a highly competent clinician that practices at the top of my license in the acute care setting. My patients deserve the best care possible, and I knew that the mentorship and guidance I would receive at JH would mold me into a clinician that could provide that standard of care.
What I like about Baltimore: I like that Baltimore has the feel of a smaller city in which everyone is friendly and kind to each other. It is heartwarming to share a genuine smile with a passing stranger for no other reason than to spread joy.
Annalise Irvine, M.S., CF-SLP | Class of 2022
Undergraduate school: University of Central Florida, bachelor's of science in communication sciences and disorders
Graduate school: Towson University, master's of science in speech-language pathology
Hometown: Orlando, Florida
Professional interests: dysphagia, trach/vent, cognition
Why I chose Johns Hopkins: I knew I wanted to be part of an organization that supported and challenged me daily, both personally and professionally.
What I like about Baltimore: Baltimore is a city with fantastic food and culture; there's always something going on! I have enjoyed getting out and exploring the city with other residents and fellows.
Graduate school: Towson University, master's of science in speech-language pathology
Hometown: Orlando, Florida
Professional interests: dysphagia, trach/vent, cognition
Why I chose Johns Hopkins: I knew I wanted to be part of an organization that supported and challenged me daily, both personally and professionally.
What I like about Baltimore: Baltimore is a city with fantastic food and culture; there's always something going on! I have enjoyed getting out and exploring the city with other residents and fellows.
Annamarie King, CF-SLP | Class of 2021
Undergraduate school: Indiana University, bachelor's of arts in speech and hearing sciences; Spanish
Graduate school: Purdue University, master's of science in speech-language pathology
Hometown: Fishers, Indiana
Professional interests: dysphagia, trachs and vents
Why I chose Johns Hopkins: I knew that Johns Hopkins would not only host outstanding clinical, research and didactic opportunities, but also foster a supportive learning environment. Additionally, I was eager to continue participating in research during my clinical fellowship.
What I like about Baltimore: I appreciate the diversity of the city! I have also enjoyed trying some of the restaurants downtown and spending time outside with other clinical fellows and residents.
Noor Zaghlula, CF-SLP | Class of 2020
Undergraduate school: The George Washington University, bachelor's of science in cell and molecular biology
Graduate school: MGH Institute of Health Professions, master's of science communication sciences and disorders
Hometown: Vienna, Austria
Professional interests: dysphagia, trachs and vents
Why I chose Johns Hopkins: Johns Hopkins is an incredible institution set out to support your personal and professional development any way they can.
What I like about Baltimore: I love the rich culture and diversity in the city.
Shelby Creelman, CF-SLP | Class of 2019
Undergraduate school: University of Maryland College Park, bachelor's of arts in hearing and speech sciences
Graduate school: Towson University, master's of science in speech-language pathology
Hometown: Indian Head, Maryland
Professional interests: dysphagia and trach/vent
Why I chose Johns Hopkins: It’s an incredible place to learn where I know I will be challenged every day.
What I like about Baltimore: I love being able to walk almost anywhere I want to go (especially all the amazing restaurants)!
Kristen Martin, CCC-SLP | Class of 2018
Read a Q&A with Kristen about her experience in the program.
Undergraduate school: The University of Maine, Orono; bachelor's of arts in communication sciences and disorders with a minor in disability studies
Graduate school: The University of North Carolina at Greensboro; master's of arts in speech-language pathology
Hometown: Morrill, Maine
Professional interests: translational research, enhancing communication options for patients, acute care rehabilitation
Why I chose Johns Hopkins: In addition to all the learning opportunities, the staff at Johns Hopkins was so welcoming, kind and supportive, I knew it would be a community that would foster personal and professional growth.
What I like about Baltimore: I enjoy having friends and numerous restaurants within walking distance from where I live. There is a lot to do and explore in the city and within an hour or two. Baltimore is a great location for going to other cities on the East Coast as well. There is an airport and a train station, or you could just drive to go away for a day or for a weekend.
