SARAH ALMALIK
Speech-Language Pathologist Supervsior| Dysphagia Specialist | Clinical & Administrative Leader
Riyadh
Summary
Saudi and American-certified Speech-Language Pathologist with a Master of Science degree and over 16 years of experience, specializing in dysphagia across rehabilitation, acute care, and private settings. Currently leading the Speech-Language Pathology services at Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Humanitarian City (SBAHC), with a focus on administrative leadership, clinical development, and strategic planning. A national leader within the Saudi Arabia International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI) Reference Group, driving the implementation of standardized dysphagia care and patient safety initiatives across sectors. Passionate about innovation, service quality, and expanding patient access, with a strong commitment to improving healthcare outcomes through evidence-based practices and regional collaboration.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
4021
4021
years of post-secondary education
6
6
Certifications
Work History
Co-Leader of Saudi Arabia Group
The International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI)
12.2023 - Current
- Lead efforts to advocate for, educate about, and implement the IDDSI framework across public and private healthcare sectors in Saudi Arabia.
- Support the structured, nationally endorsed expansion of IDDSI implementation to enhance patient safety and healthcare quality.
- Collaborate with external partners and the Ministry of Health (MOH) on developing KPIs and improving the quality of dysphagia-related services.
Clinical Supervisor for Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) Programs
Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Humanitarian City (SBAHC)
02.2015 - Current
- Overseeing both adult and pediatric services.
- Managed a range of supervisory responsibilities, including clinical staff development and training.
- Served as a core member in key accreditation processes, including CARF and Planetree.
- Led external collaborations and partnerships for rehabilitation and SLP services.
- Supervised day-to-day operations, budget management, resource allocation, and performance monitoring, while spearheading the development and implementation of new services.
- Contributed to the strategic planning and execution of rehabilitation programs.
- Developed and reviewed the annual SLP budget, including equipment procurement.
- Established and updated SLP policies to align with best practices.
- Collaborated with multiple departments, including Medical Affairs, Patient Experience, Corporate and Business Development, Dietetics, Nursing, and IT, to enhance interdisciplinary services and optimize patient care.
- Designed and implemented competency and training programs for SLPs in swallowing and communication disorders.
- Provided direct clinical supervision and specialized training in dysphagia management.
- Partnered with rehabilitation leadership and the quality department to implement SLP quality indicators and outcome measures.
- Led the Dysphagia and International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI) projects at SBAHC.
- Collaborated with the IT team on a new Health Information System (HIS) project to update and integrate SLP documentation and forms.
- Developed informal assessment tools for aphasia and cognitive-communication deficits.
- Identified educational needs and organized training sessions for SLPs, nursing staff, and other healthcare professionals.
- Participated in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) research projects in collaboration with King Saud University (KSU).
Part Time- Lecturer
King Khalid University
01.2024 - 12.2024
- Teach Swallowing and Dysphagia course to the undergraduate students
Dysphagia Specialist
Saudi German Hospital
02.2023 - 08.2023
- Developed the swallowing and feeding services including clinic set up, services coding and collaborated with medical and RCM team to enter the service in the hospital.
- Worked as a swallowing specialist part timer covering both inpatient and outpatient clinic dealing with both pediatrics and adult population.
Graduate Adult Externship
Banner Good Samaritan Rehabilitation Institute
01.2014 - 04.2014
- Company Overview: Phoenix, Arizona
- Evaluated and treated adults with speech, language, voice, and swallowing disorders in the acute, rehab, and outpatient settings.
- Gained clinical experience of Modified Barium Swallow Studies.
- Participated in group therapy for individuals with multiple sclerosis.
- Phoenix, Arizona
Graduate pediatric externship
Speech Pathology Associates
05.2013 - 08.2013
- Company Overview: Irvine, California
- Assessed pediatric speech and language disorders with various evaluation tools.
- Worked individually with children with craniofacial anomalies and used a variety of diagnostics, as well as therapeutic tools to deal with resonance disorders secondary to cleft palate.
- Worked individually with children with autism and pediatric language disorders.
- Irvine, California
Graduate Practicum
Nova Southeastern University
05.2011 - 04.2013
- Company Overview: Davie, Florida
- Assessed adults with voice disorders via investigative case history, Kay Elemetrics Visi-Pitch II, and nasometer.
- Assessed pediatric speech and language disorders with various evaluation tools.
- Worked individually with children with Autism and used different social/sensory integration/behavioral therapeutic strategies.
- Worked on treating school-age children with articulation, fluency and language disorders.
- Treated children with resonance disorders secondary to cleft palate.
- Treated adults with aphasia.
- Participated in hearing screening of elementary school children.
- Davie, Florida
Full-time speech language pathologist
King Abdulaziz Medical City
07.2007 - 09.2010
- Company Overview: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Worked in assessing and treating children with language delay in Arabic, articulation and resonance disorders.
- Worked in assessing and treating adults with language, motor-speech, and speech programming disorders.
- Worked as a member of the cochlear implant team to assess, screen, and treat children pre-implant and post-implant age 2-7.
- In in-patient clinic: Developed experience with swallowing disorders in stroke and traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients.
- Observed and participated in clinical as well as instrumental swallowing evaluation tools under supervision.
- Participated as a member of multi-disciplinary rehabilitation team to assess and treat both adults and pediatric population. Assessed, diagnosed, and treated individuals with aphasia, dysarthria, apraxia, cognitive disorders, as well as pediatric language disorders in children with cerebral palsy.
- Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Out-patient Speech and language clinic (undergraduate internship)
King Abdulaziz Medical City
09.2006 - 03.2007
- Company Overview: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Observed and worked with both children and adults with articulation, fluency, resonance, voice disorders, and language disorders.
- Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Audiology Department (undergraduate internship)
Armed Forces Hospital
02.2006 - 08.2006
- Company Overview: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Involved with hearing screening of children and adults who are at risk of hearing impairments.
- Developed experience with audiological assessment using a battery of tests.
- Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Education
Master of science - Speech Language Pathology
Nova Southeastern University
Davie, Florida01.2014
Bachelor degree - Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology
King Saud University
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia01.2006
Skills
- Bilingual Proficiency
- Strategic Leadership
- Service Management
- Clinical Supervision
- Workforce Development
- Innovation in Training
- Service Development
- Accreditation
- Quality Standards
- Intercultural communication skills
- Patient-Centered Care
Certification
Accredited by Saudi Commission of Health Specialties, Specialist I Speech Language Pathologist
Recommendations
Available upon request
Timeline
Part Time- Lecturer
King Khalid University
01.2024 - 12.2024
Co-Leader of Saudi Arabia Group
The International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI)
12.2023 - Current
Dysphagia Specialist
Saudi German Hospital
02.2023 - 08.2023
Clinical Supervisor for Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) Programs
Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Humanitarian City (SBAHC)
02.2015 - Current
Graduate Adult Externship
Banner Good Samaritan Rehabilitation Institute
01.2014 - 04.2014
Graduate pediatric externship
Speech Pathology Associates
05.2013 - 08.2013
Graduate Practicum
Nova Southeastern University
05.2011 - 04.2013
Full-time speech language pathologist
King Abdulaziz Medical City
07.2007 - 09.2010
Out-patient Speech and language clinic (undergraduate internship)
King Abdulaziz Medical City
09.2006 - 03.2007
Audiology Department (undergraduate internship)
Armed Forces Hospital
02.2006 - 08.2006
Master of science - Speech Language Pathology
Nova Southeastern University
Bachelor degree - Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology
King Saud University
Similar Profiles
Stacie LabruneStacie Labrune
Speech-Language Pathologist at Onsite Dysphagia DiagnosticsSpeech-Language Pathologist at Onsite Dysphagia Diagnostics
Subhajit SenSubhajit Sen
Technical Support Engineer at Defence Standardisation Cell,IchapurTechnical Support Engineer at Defence Standardisation Cell,Ichapur
Rebecca BreenRebecca Breen
Undergraduate Research Assistant at Dysphagia Lab, Miami UniversityUndergraduate Research Assistant at Dysphagia Lab, Miami University
ABDULAZIZ ALMUTLAQABDULAZIZ ALMUTLAQ
Executive Assistant at Alnada Plastic FactoryExecutive Assistant at Alnada Plastic Factory
Phani AyyagariPhani Ayyagari
Associate Director – Cloud Operations at Kyndryl India Pvt LtdAssociate Director – Cloud Operations at Kyndryl India Pvt Ltd