Feeding and Swallowing

Please submit enquiry details below – alternatively, make an enquiry by calling us on 03 9035 7199:

A/Prof Kelly A Weir

Speech Pathologist

Kelly is the Director of Allied Health Research at The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne, and Associate Professor (Speech Pathology) at The University of Melbourne. She a certified practicing speech pathologist with extensive clinical paediatric dysphagia practice in quaternary paediatric hospitals. Kelly specialises and researches in the area of paediatric dysphagia (paediatric feeding disorder), aspiration-related respiratory disease, paediatric and neonatal intensive/acute care management, paediatric tracheostomy, dysphagia in children with disability and paediatric palliative care; and is taking on PhD candidates in these areas. She is an international presenter on paediatric dysphagia, and regularly supports paediatric dysphagia education for low resource countries. At present, Kelly is involved in a number of research projects including investigating the use of cervical auscultation to detect aspiration in neonates, oral feeding and aspiration risk for infants receiving high flow nasal cannula respiratory support, oropharyngeal dysphagia in children with cerebral palsy or disability, and paediatric videofluoroscopy.

Ellie Woodruff

Speech Pathologist

Ellie is a speech pathologist from Wales with a warm and compassionate approach to care. She holds a Master of Speech Pathology from the University of Melbourne and began her career in the NDIS-sector before joining the team at MSPC. She was inspired to become a speech pathologist after learning about communication disorders as part of her undergraduate studies and developing a deep desire to help those who face challenges in expressing themselves.

Ellie is passionate about neurodiversity-affirming practice and has experience supporting neurodivergent individuals of all ages, including those with autism, ADHD, intellectual disabilities, and bipolar disorder. She has also worked with individuals with physical conditions such as cerebral palsy and progressive neurological disorders like Parkinson’s disease, helping them achieve their unique communication goals.

Ellie believes that building relationships and engagement are crucial for achieving the best outcomes. She strives to ensure that all individuals and families she supports feel valued, safe, and included in their care. Ellie prioritises helping her clients continue practising in the home environment to support ongoing progress and assists families in overcoming practical barriers they may face. Her clients have shared that they enjoy coming to speech therapy, appreciating the fun and meaningful sessions, as well as Ellie’s ability to build strong connections and make them feel at ease.

Outside of work, you will find Ellie running one of Melbourne’s many trails, swimming in the ocean, enjoying a long bike ride or enjoying a well-deserved pastry and a coffee afterwards.

Dr Olga Birchall

Clinic Director

Olga Birchall is a speech pathologist with a passion for innovation, informed decision making, and equity in healthcare service delivery. Her role as Clinic Director at MSPC is underpinned by Olga’s commitment to compassionate care, service, and life-long learning.

Olga graduated from La Trobe university with first class honours in 2000, and over the past 23 years has worked in clinical care, clinical education, and leadership across multiple healthcare settings, including acute teaching hospitals in Australia (Royal Melbourne Hospital, Western Hospital, St Vincent’s Hospital, Monash Medical Centre) and the UK (National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Charing Cross Hospital, Royal Brompton Hospital, and others). Since 2004 she has concurrently run a successful mobile Speech Pathology practice servicing adults living in the community, residential aged care homes (RACHs), and acute hospitals. Olga has had extensive experience in leading teams through service development, delivery, and evaluation across acute, rehabilitation, palliative care, community, and outreach settings.

In 2022 Olga completed PhD research, supported by the University of Melbourne (and funded by the Australian Government Research Training Scholarship) to generate evidence about onsite mobile flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (mFEES). Olga was the first provider of mobile instrumental swallowing assessment in Australia. Olga is also working to raise community, government, and professional awareness of mobile FEES by lobbying government ministers, health departments, through social media and by initiating the first international mFEES special interest group and research database. Olga has published research in international peer reviewed journals, presented at numerous conferences, and media platforms – including an award-winning online Speech Pathology media campaign, and being guest speaker on 774 ABC Melbourne.

Beyond speech pathology, Olga is grateful for her husband and two vivacious children. She enjoys hiking, pottering in her garden, Latin dancing, and getting lost in books. She is mindful of her personal journey as a consumer of healthcare services, the power of hope, and the value of striving for humility in delivering person-centred and timely healthcare.