About PSSD
Who We Are
Brenda started Puget Sound Swallow Diagnostics in 2017 in response to seeing the need for increased access to instrumental swallow evaluations for patients in local rehabilitation centers. With the encouragement of SLP friends and her family, PSSD launched and the first mobile FEES were done in November 2017. As the business has grown, PSSD now serves patients in Gray’s Harbor, Thurston, Lewis, Mason, Kitsap and Pierce counties.
In addition to doing FEES, PSSD also provides supervision to speech-language pathologists working to meet FEES competency standards.
Our Values
EXCELLENCE
We strive to provide up-to-date practice, high quality assessments and useful reports. Staying current in our field is an ongoing priority!
PROFESSIONALISM
PSSD is known for reliable customer service, timely responses and scheduling, and professional manner while working in various buildings. As a guest in buildings, we value being respectful to the staff, SLPs, and patients.
PARTNERSHIP
One of the joys of doing mobile FEES is the relationships we get to form with so many SLPs! We partner with SLPs, offering support and mentorship as well as simple camaraderie. Being the sole SLP in a building can feel isolating and we are all better together!
Meet Brenda
Brenda Arend, MA, CCC-SLP
OWNER | SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST
Brenda Arend, MA, CCC-SLP has over 30 years of experience as a speech-language pathologist. She attended Washington State University for her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Speech.
Most of her career has been in the acute and rehab hospital settings, with concentrations in dysphagia assessment and treatment and palliative swallow.
She serves on the Providence St. Peter Hospital ethics board and has presented at state and national conferences on the topics of FEES, complex cases in dysphagia, and palliative swallow.
Outside of SLP work, Brenda enjoys exploring the Pacific Northwest, listening to music of all types, playing her violin, and attending any baseball game she can get to with her family!
