Linda Ganz
Speech-Language Pathologist & Owner
Linda is a board certified speech-language pathologist with more than 18 years of experience specializing in the treatment of aphasia, cognitive-memory problems, voice and swallowing disorders.
Linda developed her interest in music and voice at the age of 3 when her father would sing hymns while she banged on the piano keys. She was enrolled in piano lessons at age 4 and continued to study classical piano earning a music scholarship at the University. During a voice lesson, her professor commented “you should become a speech pathologist and move to Las Vegas and work with singers who damage their voices.” She then observed a voice therapy session and at that moment knew her career path was in place!
She graduated from Northern State University with a Bachelors of Science degree in Communication Disorders in 1992. Linda worked in the education system for 5 years as a speech therapist while completing her Masters of Science degree in Speech Pathology with honors at Minot State University in 1996. She then had the opportunity to work in nursing homes, rehab hospitals, vent/trach hospitals, acute hospitals, and outpatient clinics. She was the head of the speech pathology department at St. Rose Dominican Hospital from 1998-2003 and developed TouchPoint Stroke Support Group, a group therapy program for stroke and head injury patients, implemented the Trach Team along with Dr. Soderberg, established the Head/Neck Cancer Protocol for the dysphagia program and developed the outpatient speech therapy program.
Linda gained first hand knowledge of the challenges of a loved-one having memory problems when her grandmother developed dementia. She developed the first group cognitive-memory–aphasia program in the city which started in 1999 and continues to date. Group therapy allows patients with a brain injury, stroke, dementia, and other related disorders to improve memory and cognitive skills in a functional setting. She had the opportunity to train at the University of Michigan’s Intensive Aphasia Program. She has developed a program for our soldiers who have served in the military and returning from Iraq and Afghanistan who have sustained a traumatic brain injury and having cognitive-memory problems. She works hand-in-hand with both Nellis Air Force Base and the VA to serve these brave young women and men.
Linda saw a need in Las Vegas for a specialized voice and swallowing clinic that would serve the voice clientele eliminating patients need for an out-of town trip to UCLA or Mayo Clinic. In 2003, she opened her private practice, Vegas Voice Institute, to fulfill that goal and serve this community. Linda has received extensive training in the field of swallowing disorders and was trained in the study of Modified Barium Swallow Studies and been performing this procedure for 12 years. She was encouraged to attend a NMES VitalStim course by an otolaryngologist who said “you should go to this course to help that one or two head and neck cancer patients who we can’t get to eat again.”
Linda became a VitalStim Certified Provider and today serves the Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and California states with VitalStim dysphagia therapy that is not available in many areas of these states. Vegas Voice Institute was the first clinic to offer the state-of-the art NMES Experia treatment which was specifically designed for head and neck cancer patients with swallowing problems.
She was trained in Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation (FEES) at Scripps Memorial Hospital. She then received extensive training in videostroboscopy by Dr. Peak Woo, Dr. Edie Hapner, Dr. Benninger, and Dr. Lundy. Vegas Voice Institute is the only facility within 400 miles that has this state-of-the art equipment and training in order to perform stroboscopy. She has also completed speciality training and certification in Lee Silverman Voice Treatment Program for Parkinson’s, Dysphagia for Head/Neck Cancer Patients, Aphasia Program Development, and group therapy sessions for head injury and aphasia patients currently running for 12 years.
Linda received the prestigious award of Las Vegas Courtesy Ambassador Award 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003. She received the Presidential Scholarship Award in 1994-1996. Speaking engagements include: Parkinson’s Convention Lecturer on Lee Silverman Voice Treatment Program 2006. Linda is certified by the State of Nevada Speech Board since 1997 and the California Speech Pathology Board since 2009. She is board certified by the American Speech and Hearing Association and holds a certificate of clinical competence in speech-language pathology since 1997. She is a member of Special ASHA Interest Division 3 Voice Disorders and Special Interest Division 13 Swallowing Disorders.
Linda is one of six children and is proudly from the great state of North Dakota. She attributes her hard work ethics to growing up in a large family and in a small community where people learn how to work together. She is happily married to the love of her life who shares her passion for helping others in the therapy world as a physical therapist. Karl and Linda met while working at St. Rose Dominican Hospital. She enjoys playing classical piano, sings in a praise team, scrapbooks, and enjoys spending time with family and friends. If you would like to contact Linda she can be reached at: Linda@vegasvoiceinstitute.com