Contact Information

Biography

Panayiota Senekkis-Florent, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, BCS-S is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Speech-Language Pathology at Duquesne University. She received her bachelor’s degree from Louisiana State University in Communication Sciences and Disorders and her master’s degree from Southern University in Speech-Language Pathology, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Panayiota received her Ph.D in Clinical Speech and Language Studies, University of Dublin, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland.

Dr. Senekkis-Florent is a certified speech-language pathologist and board-certified specialist in swallowing and swallowing disorders. She has a passion for working with infants and children with Pediatric Feeding Disorders (PFD) whereby she has served this population in acute and sub-acute settings for 25 years. Her interest in this population propelled her to pursue a research doctorate examining the prevalence, etiology, and impact of PFDs in preterm infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).  Other research interests include cultural competence and health care disparities.

Education

  • Ph.D., Trinity college Dublin, University of Dublin, Ireland
  • M.Ed., Southern University, Baton Rouge Louisiana
  • B.A., Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Research Interests or Expertise

  • Pediatric Dysphagia
  • Early Identification
  • Early Intervention

 

Publications

Senekki-Florent, P., & Walshe, M.  (2021). Prevalence, Impact, and Extent of Feeding and Swallowing Difficulties in Preterm Infants admitted to a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit on Cyprus. Advances in Communication and Swallowing, 24:45-53. doi:10.3233/ACS-210025.

Santiago, P., Gorenberg, B., Hurtubise, C., Senekki-Florent, P., & Kudchadkar, S. Speech-Language Pathologist Involvement in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit: Results from the US PARK-PICU Study. (Under Review)

Ryan, M. A, Upchurch, P. A, Senekki-Florent, P. (2020) Neonatal Vocal Fold Paralysis. Neoreviews, 21(5):e308‐e322. doi:10.1542/neo.21-5-e308

Senekki-Florent, P., Karaoli, C., & Walshe, M. (2015). Frequency, Nature, and Extent of Feeding and Swallowing Difficulties in Preterm Infants in Cyprus: A Large Scale Epidemiological Study. Dysphagia, 30:223. https://doi:10.1007/s00455-015-9608-3

  • Member of American Speech-Language and Hearing Association (ASHA), SIG13
  • Associate Member of Dysphagia Research Society (DRS)
BCS-S - Board Certified Specialist in Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders, American Board of Swallowing and Swallowing DIsorders (AB-SSD)

CCC-SLP - Certificate of Alincial Competence, American Speech-Language and Hearing Association (ASHA)