Southern Minnesota
— Speech Pathology, LLC —
Our Mission
Southern Minnesota Speech Pathology provides diagnosis, treatment, and therapy for speech, language, swallowing, and voice disorders for adolescents and adults.
Aphasia & Articulation
Helping patients regain language, speech clarity, and communication skills lost due to stroke, traumatic brain injury, or neurological conditions, and helping people with developmental delay acquire functional communication skills. Toward these goals, the use of alternative communication devices may be used.
Swallowing Disorders
Evaluation and treatment of dysphagia — difficulty swallowing food or liquids — using evidence-based therapy for safe eating and nutrition.
Voice Disorders
Specialized vocology care for hoarseness, vocal fatigue, pitch issues, and voice disorders in both everyday speakers and professional singers.
Our Therapists
Licensed Speech-Language Pathologists & Vocologists
Note: Rebecca Gummow's detailed information and photo will be added soon.
Rafi Dworsky
LSLP-CCC, MA, MM
I am a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist and Vocologist. I earned combined Master Degrees in Music–Vocal Performance and Communication Disorders from the University of Minnesota in 1985 and 1988 respectively, becoming one of the first degreed vocologists in the United States.
Before entering graduate studies I worked as a voice coach and therapist for singers with damaged voices, which I continue to do today as part of my practice.
Background
After completing my graduate programs, I worked in several hospital settings including the Sister Kenny Institute at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis from 1988–1989, the Minnesota State Hospital in Faribault, MN from 1989–1995, and Northfield Hospital from 1996–2007.
At Northfield Hospital I also managed sister programs in Speech and Swallowing therapy at Rice County District One Hospital and Owatonna Hospital under sub-contracts. I entered private practice in 2007, establishing Southern Minnesota Speech Pathology, LLC (SMSP) in 2010, specializing in treating patients referred for communication, swallowing, and voice disorders.
I have given workshops to medical doctors, clinical staff, nursing staff, and group home staff on these disorders, and I and two colleagues taught a graduate course in Swallowing Disorders at the University of Minnesota–Mankato.
Services & Fees
Personalized care for communication, swallowing, and voice
Treatment
Treatment is provided on an individual basis. Clients may be seen in the clinic, virtually, or at home. Family members and significant others may participate depending on their potential involvement and participation in the treatment process.
SMSP also provides evaluation for and training in the use of alternative communication and speech generating devices for clients whose verbal communication deficits warrant it.
In-Clinic Sessions
One-on-one appointments at our clinical location.
Telehealth / Virtual
Convenient remote sessions from the comfort of your home, anywhere in Minnesota.
Home Visits
On-site appointments for clients who benefit from treatment in their own environment.
AAC & Assistive Devices
Evaluation and training for alternative communication and speech generating devices.
Fee Information
SMSP is in network with a number of insurers. If your plan is out of network, less robust benefits usually apply, and we do our best to work out affordable coverage. We also offer private pay options for clients without insurance coverage.
| In-Network Insurers | BCBS, Medica, HealthPartners, United Health Care, Mayo Health Plan, Cigna, Medicare, Medicaid, SCHA, and others |
| Out-of-Network | We work to arrange affordable coverage on a case-by-case basis |
| Private Pay | Available for clients without insurance coverage |
| Payment Methods | All major credit cards, HSA / FSA accounts, personal check |
Contact Us
We'd love to hear from you
