R. Jordan Hazelwood

Dr. R. Jordan Hazelwood serves as Associate Professor in the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences at Appalachian State University's Beaver College of Health Sciences. A Board Certified Specialist in Swallowing Disorders (BCS-S) and Clinical Research Ethics Fellow (CCRE), she directs the Appalachian State Lab for Competency, Education, and Evaluation of Dysphagia (AppLCEED) while maintaining clinical collaborations with Watauga Medical Center and the Appalachian Institute for Health and Wellness.

• Ph.D. in Health & Rehabilitation Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina (2016)
• M.Ed. in Communication Sciences & Disorders, University of Georgia (2006)
• B.S. in Speech & Hearing Sciences, University of Illinois (2004)

Her research centers on adult dysphagia with focus on physiologic impairment-quality of life relationships, standardized assessment protocols, and clinician training. The AppLCEED lab advances competency development through investigation of swallowing physiology, patient-reported outcomes, and evidence-based practice implementation across clinical settings.

• Outstanding Teaching Award, Beaver College of Health Sciences (2022)
• UNC Board of Governors Excellence in Teaching Award (2024)
• Certificate of Fellowship in Clinical Research Ethics (CCRE)
• Board Certified Specialist in Swallowing Disorders (BCS-S)

Dr. Hazelwood mentors graduate students through clinical research partnerships while teaching core courses in neuroanatomy, voice disorders, and dysphagia. Her leadership in ASHA's SIG-13 and Dysphagia Research Society drives national conversations on swallowing assessment standards and clinician competency development.

The AppLCEED lab operates at the intersection of clinical practice and research, with ongoing projects examining swallowing physiology measurement, dysphagia resource validation, and interprofessional education models through active hospital and community health partnerships.