The Orthopedic Institute at Southwest Health

Speech Therapy

We help people speak better and gain confidence in the process. Our therapies help strengthen speech, improve clarity, produce better sound and improve articulation.

Speech Conditions Treated

language disorders
aphasia
apraxia
dysarthria
dyslexia

dysphagia
modified barium swallow (aka cookie swallow)
echolalia
slurred speech
anomia / word retrieval

Voice Fluency Conditions Treated

Aphonia
Dysphonia
Stammering/stuttering
Vocal nodules

Cognitive Disorders Treated

CHI
CVA
Hemianopsia
Memory

Other Conditions Treated

Parkinson’s
Huntington’s chorea

SPEECH THERAPY TEAM MEMBERS

Kristina Ruch, MS, CCC-SLP

Education: Master in Speech-Language Pathology from Florida International University in Miami, Florida
Certifications/Training: Certificate of clinical competence, Modified barium swallow studies, CPR
Special Interests: Geriatrics, Stroke Recovery, Dementia
Experience: Outpatient, acute care, home health, skilled nursing and private practice
Personal Passions: Spending time with her friends and family, gardening, traveling and learning new things.
More About Kristina

Francine Gates, MS, CF-SLP

Education: Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology from Emerson College in Boston, MA
Certifications/Training: CPR, Basic Life Support
Special Interests: Geriatrics, Dementia
Experience: Outpatient, Skilled Nursing Facility, and Schools
Personal Passions: Doing crafts, dancing and hanging out with her family and friends.
More About Fracine