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Associate Professor

Isaac Sia

Associate Professor
Doctor of Philosophy (Rehabilitation Science) , University of Florida, United States
Cluster:
Health and Social Sciences
Email

Biography

Isaac has a keen interest in leadership, mentoring and people development. He is a Senior Principal Speech Therapist and oversees physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and podiatry services as the Head of Department, Department of Rehabilitation, National University Hospital. He is also mentor-supervisor to Allied Health Professional Section Leaders in the Department of Paediatrics’s Child Development Unit and an Allied Health Lead for the National University Health System’s College of Health Professionals Training. Previously, Isaac served as the Co-Chair of the Ministry of Health Allied Health Panel for Speech Therapy and was the Domain Consultant for Dysphagia on the Curriculum Committee for the Singapore Institute of Technology Speech Therapy Degree Programme.

Isaac joined the National University Hospital in 2000 upon graduating from University College London (UK) with 1st Class Honours in the B.Sc. (Speech Sciences) degree programme. Previously, he served as an elected President of Speech-Language and Hearing Association Singapore for two terms from 2006 to 2009. During his tenure, he led the profession in national initiatives spanning professional training and education, professional self-regulation, as well as patient and professional advocacy. In 2009, Isaac was awarded the Singapore Ministry of Health Allied Health Postgraduate Scholarship - National University Hospital Talent Development Award to pursue a PhD. He completed his training in Rehabilitation Science under the tutelage of Dr. Michael Crary in the Swallowing Research Laboratory at the University of Florida. His work has been presented at international meetings such as Dysphagia Research Society Meeting, American Speech-Language and Hearing Association Convention and International Conference on Autonomous Agents and Multiagent Systems. He has won several research presentation awards and has co-authored 16 peer-reviewed research papers to date. His research interests are in swallowing physiology, dysphagia management and educational applications of virtual patients. While studying at the University of Florida, Isaac concurrently pursued a Masters of Public Health (MPH) degree with a concentration in biostatistics. He continues to maintain an interest in quality, value and innovation in rehabilitation services.

SIT Appointments

  • Associate Professor
    – Present

Education

  • Doctor of Philosophy (Rehabilitation Science)
    University of Florida , United States
  • Master of Public Health (Biostatistics Concentration)
    University of Florida , United States
  • B.Sc. (1st Class Honours) (Speech Sciences)
    University College London (UK) ,

Achievements

  • Domain Consultant, Speech Therapy Degree Programme (Undergraduate), Singapore Institute of Technology (
  • Domain Coordinator, BSc / BSc (Hons) Speech Therapy Degree Programme Curriculum Committee, Singapore Institute of Technology
    –
  • UF Faculty in Aging - $1200 Leighton E. Cluff Award for Aging Research
    –
  • University of Florida College of Public Health and Health Professions – Public Health & Health Profession Collaboration Award
    –
  • Dysphagia Research Society – Poster Award (Third Place)
    –
  • University of Florida College of Public Health and Health Professions – Public Health & Health Profession Collaboration Award
    –
  • UF International Center - Outstanding Academic Achievement
    –
  • Florida Association of Speech-Language Pathologists & Audiologists (FLASHA) – 1 st Place (Scientific Poster)
    –
  • Singapore Ministry of Health Allied Health Postgraduate Scholarship - National University Hospital Talent Development Award S$603,000
    –
  • Task Force Member, SHAS Position Paper on Supervision and Mentoring of Newly Qualified Practitioners
    –
  • Team Leader, SHAS-Singapore International Foundation Speech Therapy Workshops in Cambodia
    –
  • Member, SHAS Strategic Planning and Regulation Committee
    –
  • Member, Singapore Workforce Skills Qualifications System Framework for Therapy Assistants Workgroup
    –
  • Spring Singapore - Excellent Service Star Award
    –
  • Member, SHAS Publications Committee and Co-Editor, Association Newsletter Tongue In Cheek!
    –
  • National University Hospital Undergraduate Scholarship in Speech Therapy S$222,000
    –

Professional Certification

  • McNeil Dysphagia Therapy Program (MDTP)
    McNeil Dysphagia Therapy Program
    –
  • English Group A-V3 – 1 st Certification
    National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale
    –
  • Fibreoptic Endoscopic Examination of Swallowing (FEES) Training Program
    –
  • Comprehensive DPNS Workshop Effective Treatment of Pharyngeal Dysphagia
    –
  • Facial Muscle Exercise Program
    –

Professional Memberships

  • Member, Panel of Chairmen for Disciplinary Tribunals, Allied Health Professional Council
    – Present
  • Member, Complaints Panel, Allied Health Professional Council
    – Present
  • Member, Allied Health Professionals Steering Committee, Ministry of Health
    –
  • Co-Chair, Allied Health Panel for Speech Therapy, Ministry of Health
    –
  • Chair, Allied Health Panel for Speech Therapy, Ministry of Health
    –
  • Member, Singapore Ministry of Health Allied Health Professional Regulation Focus Group
    –
  • Member, Singapore Ministry of Health National Allied Health Training Priority Workgroup
    –
  • President, Speech-Language and Hearing Association Singapore (SHAS)
    –
  • Member, Singapore Ministry of Health Speech Therapy Credential Evaluation Pane
    –

Corporate Experience

  • Department of Rehabilitation, National University Hospital (Singapore) - Head of Department
    Present
  • Domain Consultant, Speech Therapy Degree Programme (Undergraduate), Singapore Institute of Technology
    Present
  • Department of Rehabilitation, National University Hospital (Singapore) - Senior Principal Speech Therapist
    Present
  • Department of Paediatrics, National University Hospital (Singapore) - Mentor-Supervisor for AHPs (Therapists), Child Development Unit
    Present
  • Department of Paediatrics, National University Hospital (Singapore) - Project Director, MOH Health Service Development Programme (HSDP)
    Present
  • Coordinator-Trainer - Videofluoroscopic Study of Swallowing (VFS) – National University Hospital
    Present
  • Coordinator-Trainer - Clinical Management of Communication and Swallowing Disorders in Patients with Tracheostomy and/or Mechanical Ventilation - National University Hospital (
    Present
  • Facilitator - Core Module in Healthcare Ethics, Law & Professionalism (Allied Health), NUS Centre for Biomedical Ethics
    –
  • Department of Rehabilitation, National University Hospital (Singapore) -Deputy Head of Department
    –
  • Domain Coordinator, BSc / BSc (Hons) Speech Therapy Degree Programme Curriculum Committee, Singapore Institute of Technology
    –
  • Department of Rehabilitation, National University Hospital (Singapore) - Speech Therapy Section Head
    –
  • Guest Lecture - Communication and Swallowing Disorders in Older Persons, SPH5408 Public Health & Ageing, National University of Singapore Master of Public Health Course
    –
  • Reviewer for Peer-Reviewed Journals - Clinical Rehabilitation
    –
  • Reviewer for Peer-Reviewed Journals - Neurogastroenterology and Motility
    –
  • Guest Lecture -The Cranial Nerves, SPA 4104 Neurological Bases of Communication, University of Florida BS in Communication Sciences & Disorders (
    –
  • Lecturer, Dysphagia Management Graduate Course - University of Florida MA in Speech Language Pathology Program
    –
  • Course Coordination - MOH HMDP Motor Speech Disorders by Dr. Thomas Marquardt, University of Texas at Austin (
    –
  • Workshop Developer-Trainer - Feeding and Communication Skills Workshops Metro-SVO Workshop (Speech Therapy) Phnom Penh, Cambodia
    –
  • Guest Lecture - Clinical Efficiency and Performance Measurement. – National University of Singapore MSc in SpeechLanguage Pathology Program (
    –
  • Guest Lecture - The Art and Science of Speech and Language Therapy. – National University of Singapore BA in English Program
    –
  • Trainer- BDAE Skill Workshop - National University of Singapore MSc in Speech-Language Pathology Program
    –
  • Course Coordination - Manometric Evaluation of Swallowing by Dr. Maggie-Lee Huckabee, University of Canterbury (
    –
  • Clinical Educator - Acquired Communication and Swallowing Disorders - National University of Singapore MSc in SpeechLanguage Pathology Program
    –
  • Course Coordination - Dysphagia Management by Dr. Maggie-Lee Huckabee, University of Canterbury
    –

Past Projects

  • CJY Lam, QQ Phua, YM Guo, I Sia Impact of a moulded puree diet on taste, appearance, recognizability, and overa;l liking among patients in an acute hospital.
    –

    NUHS Centre Grant Seed Funding $24,600.00

  • I Sia, Chong SC, Kang YQ, Yoong SYJ Tele-rehabilitative programme: an innovative and sustainable early intervention service for children with autism spectrum disorders.
    –

    MOH Health Service Development Programme (HSDP) $2,053,870.00

     

     

  • Phua QQ, Ho S, Sia, I Comparing patient preferences and compliance to modified liquids using starch and gum-based thickeners - a longitudinal study.
    –

    National Healthcare Group Cluster Research Grant S$760.80

     

  • Sia I, Yen, SH, Tay A, Koh GCH Tele-Rehabilitation Solutions for Dysphagia Assessment and Rehabilitation - Development and Field Testing of Innovations for Removing Barriers of Access and Reducing Demand on Face-to-Face Therapist Contact
    –

     

     

  • Sia I Pharyngeal Swallowing Power (PSP): Developing a Novel Measure of Swallowing Function and Examining its Impact on Upper Esophageal Sphincter Function
    –
  • Sia I, Building Predictive Models of Swallowing and Dysphagia - A Multivariate Systems Approach.
    –
  • Sia, I Videofluoroscopy for Oropharyngeal Dysphagia – Utilisation and Patient Demographics In The Acute Tertiary Healthcare Setting.
    –

Journal Papers

  • Sia I, Crary MA, Kairalla J, Carnaby GD, Sheplak M, McCulloch T (2019) Derivation and measurement consistency of a novel biofluid dynamics measure of deglutitive bolus‐driving function—pharyngeal swallowing power. Neurogastroenterol Motil ; 31:e13465. https://doi.org/10.1111/nmo.13465

  • Halan S, Sia I, Miles A, Crary MA, Lok B (2018). Engineering Social Agent Creation into an Opportunity for Inter- viewing and Interpersonal Skills Training. In Proc. of the 17th International Conference on Autonomous Agents and Multiagent Systems (AAMAS 2018), Stockholm, Sweden, July 10–15, 2018, IFAAMAS, 9 pages.

  • Sia I, Crary MA, Kairalla J, Carnaby GD, Sheplak M, McCulloch T (2018) Bolus volume and viscosity effects on pharyngeal swallowing power—How physiological bolus accommodation affects bolus dynamics. Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2018; 30:e13481. https://doi.org/10.1111/nmo.13481

  • Sia I, Halan S, Lok B, Crary MA (2016) Virtual Patient Simulation Training in Graduate Dysphagia Management Education – A Research-led Enhancement Targeting Development of Clinical Interviewing and Clinical Reasoning Skills. Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups SIG 13, Vol. 1(Part 3), 2016

  • Halan S, Sia I, Crary MA, Lok B (2015) Exploring the Effects of Healthcare Students Creating Virtual Patients for Empathy Training. 15th International Conference on Intelligent Virtual Agents (IVA 2015), Aug. 25-28, 2015, Delft, Netherlands

  • Halan S, Sia I, Crary M, Lok B. Virtual Agent Constructionism: Experiences from Health Professions Students Creating Virtual Conversational Agent Virtual Agent Representations of Patients. Presented at the IEEE 14th International Conference on Advanced Learning Technologies (ICALT), 7-10 July 2014, Athens, Greece.

  • Chen C, Sia I, Ma H-m, Tai BC, Cheong A, et al. (2014) The Synergistic Effect of Functional Status and Comorbidity Burden on Mortality: A 16-Year Survival Analysis. PLoS ONE 9(8): e106248. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0106248

  • Berretin-Felix G, Sia I, Carnaby GD, Crary MA (2014) Immediate effects of transcutaneous electrical stimulation on physiological swallowing effort in older versus young adults. Gerodontology: 10.1111/ger.12166

  • Crary MA, Carnaby GD, Sia I (2014) Spontaneous Swallow Frequency Compared to Clinical Screening in the Identification of Dysphagia in Acute Stroke. Journal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases 23(8): 2047–2053

  • Crary MA, Carnaby GD, Sia I, Khanna A, Waters M (2013) Spontaneous Swallowing Frequency Has Potential to Identify Dysphagia in Acute Stroke. Stroke 44: 3452-3457

  • Crary MA, Carnaby GD, L Sura Sia I (2013) Spontaneous Swallow Frequency as a Screening Protocol for Dysphagia in Acute Stroke. Neurology 80 (7 Supplement), S32. 004-S32. 004

  • Lan Y, Okubo M, Carnaby-Mann G, Sia I, Berretin-Felix G, Crary MA (2012) Normalization of temporal aspects of swallowing physiology after the McNeill dysphagia therapy program. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 121(8): 525- 32

  • Sia I, Carvajal P, Carnaby-Mann GD, Crary MA (2012) Measurement of Hyoid and Laryngeal Displacement in Video Fluoroscopic Swallowing Studies: Variability, Reliability, and Measurement Error. Dysphagia 27(2):192-7

  • GD Carnaby, I Sia, Crary MA (2019) Associations Between Spontaneous Swallowing Frequency at Admission, Dysphagia, and Stroke-Related Outcomes in Acute Care. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Volume 100, Issue 7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2019.01.009

  • Sia I, Carvajal P, Lacy AA, Carnaby-Mann GD, Crary MA (2014) Hyoid and Laryngeal Excursion Kinematics - Magnitude, Duration and Velocity - Changes Following Successful Exercise-Based Dysphagia Rehabilitation: MDTP. Journal of Oral Rehabilitation 42(5):331-9

Conferences

  • Sia I, Halan S, Lok B, Crary MA (2017) Using Virtual Patients to Develop Patient Interview Skills in Student Dysphagia Clinicians. 14th Asia Pacific Medical Education Conference (APMEC)

  • Sia, I (2017) Optimizing Communication with Patients in the ICU. 4th SG-ANZICS Intensive Care Forum (SGANZICS 2017)

  • Crary MA, Groher M, Sia I (2016) Educating Tomorrow's Clinicians: How Can We Change the Future Today? American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Convention.

  • Sia I, Halan S, Lok B, Crary MA. (2014) "CYOVP: Create Your Own Virtual Patient (VP)!" VP Creation & Interviewing in Clinical Dysphagia Education. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Convention.

  • Sia I, Halan S, Lok B, Crary MA (2014) Improving Clinical Dysphagia Interviewing Skills By Virtual Patient Creation. Dysphagia Research Society Annual Meeting.

  • Sia I, Carnaby-Mann GD, Crary MA (2013) Oral Pain and Dryness in Oral Morbidities in RT-Treated Head & Neck Cancer Patients: Impact & 3-Month Swallowing Outcome. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Convention.

  • Sia I, Carvajal P, Lacy A, Lan Y, Carnaby-Mann GD, Crary MA (2011) Physiological Effects of MDTP: Biokinematic Timing Analysis. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Convention

  • Sia I, Carnaby-Mann GD, Crary MA (2011) Physiological Effects of MDTP: Lingual-Palatal and Pharyngeal Pressure Timing Analysis. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Convention.

Teaching Modules

Diagnostic Radiography, BSc (Hons)

  • HSC1004 - Psychological and Sociological Perspectives for Health Sciences

Occupational Therapy, BSc (Hons)

  • HSC1004 - Psychological and Sociological Perspectives for Health Sciences

Physiotherapy, BSc (Hons)

  • HSC1004 - Psychological and Sociological Perspectives for Health Sciences

Radiation Therapy, BSc (Hons)

  • HSC1004 - Psychological and Sociological Perspectives for Health Sciences

Speech and Language Therapy, BSc (Hons)

  • SLT2102 - Dysphagia Management in Adults
  • SLT1202 - Anatomy and Physiology for Human Communication and Swallowing

Physiotherapy, BSc

  • HSC1009 - Health Systems – Singapore’s Perspective