15 Years of Industry Experience

Our Staff

Emily Nelson

Emily Nelson, MA, CCC-SLP, is the owner and president of NMF, which opened in 2015. She completed her bachelor’s degree in speech-language pathology from Kansas State University and her master’s degree in the same field from Wichita State University. Over the last 14 years, Emily has worked in skilled nursing facilities and hospitals in Kansas and Colorado.
Emily is dedicated to providing the most innovative therapy to persons with dysphagia. In 2017, she opened Nelson Swallowing & Neurological Rehab to offer outpatient services in Denver. She enjoys facilitating competency training in FEES for speech-language pathologists pursuing a career where FEES is utilized. She can provide you with one-on-one training; contact her for more information.
Competencies and Certifications:
  • Licensed by the States of Colorado, Wyoming, and Kansas
  • Received the Certificate of Clinical Competence by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
  • Trained as an Endoscopist for State-of-the-Art Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing
  • Certified as a Provider of the McNeill Dysphagia Therapy Program (MDTP)
  • Certified in VitalStim Therapy
  • Certified in LSVT LOUD
  • Receives the ACE Award in continuing education
Affiliations:
  • Member of the Dysphagia Research Society
  • Board Member of the Colorado Speech-Language-Hearing Association
Training
Emily received training from SEC Medical with Kathy Fitzgerald, MS, CCC-SLP, and further training with Susan Langmore, PhD, at the Langmore Advanced Training for FEES in Boston, and ccompleted Advanced Training for FEES with SASS in Nashville. Over the years, Emily has completed numerous FEES procedures in many clinical settings.
Personal
Emily resides in Denver with her husband and dog. She enjoys hiking, reading, skiing, running and spending time with friends and family while finding new restaurants to try in CO!
Personal
Kaitlyn resides in Denver with her husband, two sons, and two dogs. She enjoys snowboarding, spending time with her family, and exploring all the beautiful places Colorado has to offer.

Kaitlyn Santillana

Kaitlyn Santillana, M.A., CCC-SLP, completed her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in communicative sciences and disorders from the University of Central Florida. Over the last thirteen years, Kaitlyn has worked in private practive and skilled nursing facilities as a Senior Therapist and Director of Rehabilitation, providing dysphagia, voice, and cognitive therapy to the geriatric population.
In 2013, she completed her FEES training and began focusing her career on improving the quality of life for the dysphagia population. Kaitlyn has been working with NMF since January 2017.
Competencies and Certifications:
  • Trained to Perform State-of-the-Art FEES Independently According to the ASHA Clinical Competencies
  • Trained under Susan Langmore for FEES Training
  • Certified in VitalStim, LSVT LOUD, and Myofascial Release
  • Current with ASHA Clinical Competencies
  • Licensed Speech Pathologist in the State of Colorado & Wyoming
  • Receives the ACE Award in Continuing Education

Alaine Smeltzer

Alaine graduated with her master's degree from Purdue University in 2014. She has experience working with adults focusing on dysphagia and neurocognitive rehabilitation in various settings including long term care, acute care, subacute rehab, outpatient, private practice and home health. She is passionate about helping adults strive for quality of life and to maintain their independence and continue to participate in the activities that bring them joy in the face of neurodegenerative diseases and overall aging.
Competencies and Certifications:
  • Trained to Perform State-of-the-Art FEES Independently According to the ASHA Clinical Competencies from Nelson Mobile FEES in 2023.
  • Certified in VitalStim Therapy
  • Current with ASHA Clinical Competencies
  • Licensed Speech Pathologist in the State of Colorado
Personal
In her free time, she enjoys skiing, hiking, and being with her family including her husband, two daughters and a Bernese Mountain Dog.
Personal
Ashley resides in Denver with her boyfriend and two dogs. She enjoys exercising, traveling, watching reality TV, and spending time with Isaac and her dogs!

Ashley Carfagno

Ashley Carfagno, MS, CCC-SLP, completed her bachelor’s degree at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and her master’s degree in communicative sciences and disorders from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Ashley has worked in acute care since 2018 and continues to do so.
In 2021, she completed her FEES training and has a passion for improving the quality of life for the dysphagia population. She continues to advocate providing access to instrumental swallow evaluations to better diagnose dysphagia. Ashley has been working with NMF since May 2023.
Competencies and Certifications:
  • Trained to Perform State-of-the-Art FEES Independently According to the ASHA Clinical Competencies
  • Education Coach in Trauma 1 hospital
  • Current with ASHA Clinical Competencies
  • Licensed Speech Pathologist in the State of Colorado
  • Receives the ACE Award in Continuing Education

Ali Folken

Ali Folken, MA, CCC-SLP graduated in 2014 with a bachelor's degree in speech-language pathology and Spanish language, followed by a master's degree in 2016 from the University of Northern Iowa. Ali has a background in providing dysphagia and cognitive-linguistic therapy across diverse settings including outpatient care, skilled nursing facilities, and senior roles in inpatient rehabilitation and acute care settings. Ali completed her FEES training in 2021 and began working with Nelson Mobile FEES in June 2023.
Competencies and Certifications:
  • Trained to Perform State-of-the-Art FEES Independently According to the ASHA Clinical Competencies .
  • Certified as a Provider of the McNeill Dysphagia Therapy Program (MDTP)
  • Certified in VitalStim Therapy and Vital StimPlus
  • Current with ASHA Clinical Competencies
  • Licensed Speech Pathologist in the State of Colorado
  • ASHA's Distinguished Early Career Professional certificate and successfully completed the Leadership Development Program through ASHA in 2021/22.
  • Receives the ACE Award in continuing education
Personal
Ali's resides in Colorado Springs with her husband, son, and beloved cat. Ali finds joy in hiking, backpacking, reading, playing the piano, and cherishing quality time with her family.