WVU Medicine St. Joseph’s Hospital now offers Outpatient Speech Therapy with Speech-Language Pathologist, MacKenzee Watson, M.S. CCC-SLP.  This is the only Outpatient Speech Therapy in Upshur County.

Patients will be seen Monday and Wednesday afternoons. A physical referral is required.  For questions, call 304-473-2150.

Services Provided:

Treatment for ADULT patients (ages 18 and older) with the following:

  • Swallowing disorders, such as oral, pharyngeal, and esophageal dysphagia
  • Speech disorders, such as dysarthria and apraxia
  • Language disorders, such as expressive and receptive aphasia
  • Voice disorders, such as dysphonia and aphonia
  • Cognitive-communication disorders, such as memory impairment
  • Augmentative/alternative communication use, such as speech-generating devices or picture communication boards

Patient populations to monitor who may exhibit symptoms of the aforementioned disorders:

  • Stroke
  • Brain injury
  • Neurodegenerative diseases
  • Cancer in the head, neck, or esophagus
  • Surgery to the head, neck, or cervical spine
  • Head, neck, or spinal cord injuries
  • Gastroenterology patients
  • Respiratory diseases
  • Tracheostomy and ventilator dependence
  • Vocal fold nodules, polyps, or paralysis
  • Congenital disorders/developmental delays

MacKenzee Watson is a certified member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and holds a license to practice speech-language pathology in the state of West Virginia. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from West Virginia University (WVU) in 2019, followed by a Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology from WVU in 2021. Since 2021, MacKenzee has been employed with WVU Medicine St. Joseph’s Hospital, where she has successfully implemented the use of video fluoroscopy swallowing studies (i.e., modified barium swallow), integrated the Nurse Aspiration Screening Tool policy and procedure, and actively participated in various interdisciplinary teams. In addition to her role at St. Joseph’s Hospital, she has served as adjunct faculty at WVU and currently works on a PRN basis for a skilled nursing facility in her hometown. MacKenzee’s clinical experience spans acute care, skilled nursing, long-term care, and outpatient settings. Her clinical interests include dysphagia and aphasia, as well as working with patients with neurological etiologies.