Bon Secours St. Mary’s Hospital First in Virginia to Offer Innovative Therapy for Swallowing Disorders Following Stroke

Richmond, VA – August , 2026 – Bon Secours St. Mary’s Hospital is the first hospital in Virginia to offer the Phagenyx® System, an innovative therapy designed to help patients recover swallowing function following a stroke. The addition of this technology enhances the hospital’s comprehensive stroke program and provides a new treatment option for patients experiencing severe dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing, after stroke.

Dysphagia is one of the most common complications following a stroke. Left untreated, it can increase the risk of aspiration pneumonia, malnutrition, dehydration and prolonged hospital stays while significantly impacting a patient’s quality of life and recovery.

Unlike traditional therapies that focus primarily on strengthening the muscles involved in swallowing, the Phagenyx System uses pharyngeal electrical stimulation to activate the nerves and pathways involved in swallowing. By delivering gentle electrical stimulation through a temporary catheter, the therapy is designed to support recovery of swallowing function in eligible patients.

“Recovering the ability to swallow safely is a major milestone for many stroke survivors and can have a profound impact on their recovery and quality of life,” said Rachel Greif, Speech Language Pathologist with Bon Secours St. Mary’s Hospital. “As the first hospital in Virginia to offer the Phagenyx System, we’re bringing another evidence-based treatment option to patients with severe post-stroke dysphagia. This technology gives our team another tool to support patients on their recovery journey and may help reduce the need for long-term feeding tubes.”

The Phagenyx System is offered through a multidisciplinary approach involving Bon Secours St. Mary’s speech-language pathology team in collaboration with ICU physicians, nurses and other members of the stroke care team. Together, they identify eligible patients and provide comprehensive care focused on improving recovery and long-term outcomes.

Clinical studies have shown the Phagenyx System may help eligible patients improve swallowing safety, resume eating and drinking sooner, reduce the risk of aspiration and pneumonia, shorten hospital stays and decrease the need for long-term feeding tube placement.

Bon Secours St. Mary’s Hospital is a designated Comprehensive Stroke Center, providing advanced, around-the-clock care for patients experiencing complex strokes. The introduction of the Phagenyx System further strengthens the hospital’s ability to provide advanced treatment throughout every stage of stroke recovery. Since implementing the technology, the hospital’s first patients have experienced encouraging progress as the care team continues evaluating its impact on recovery for stroke survivors across Central Virginia.