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New Emory Center Offers Voice Care for Professional Speakers and Singers
ATLANTA From baritones to broadcasters, from salespersons to schoolteachers,
millions of Americans depend on the normal functioning of their voices
to win friends, influence people and bring home the bacon. Yet scores
of factors ranging from poor vocal technique to diseases of the mouth
and throat, can threaten our ability to speak or sing with confidence
and authority.
To provide a resource in Atlanta for those suffering from vocal diseases
and disorders, a voice care center has been created at Emory. Directed
by Michael M. Johns, III, MD, a voice and throat specialist who developed
his expertise in the voice care community of Music City, the center
is located at Emory Crawford Long Hospital in Midtown. The Emory Voice
Center provides novel imaging systems for viewing the larynx; a special
lab for testing purposes; a speech and language pathologist; and a voice
specialist. The Center is equipped to diagnose, treat and rehabilitate
voice disorders for those who make their living by using their voice.
"The Emory Voice Center fills a void for Atlantans," said Doug Mattox,
MD, chairman of the Emory University Department of Otolaryngology. "A
metropolitan area of this size will benefit from the convenience of
multidisciplinary care of skilled professionals who are accomplished
in the treatment of voice disorders. We offer our patients a well-rounded
team, in one location, to serve their needs in the most competent way."
Dr. Johns comes to Emory from Vanderbilt University Medical Center where
he was actively involved in the diagnosis and treatment of voice disorders.
He is the author of numerous papers, abstracts and book chapters and
participated in a study funded by an American Laryngological Voice Research
and Education Foundation grant on Vocal Fold Paralysis.
"An important component of maintaining voice health is comprehensive
treatment by a designated team of experienced voice experts," said Dr.
Johns. "We intend to provide a thorough, multidisciplinary approach
which will be enhanced by patient access to education, and a research
arm that will provide opportunities to consistently stay abreast of
new developments. Our connection to the Emory University School of Medicine
faculty and the Emory Healthcare clinicians affords us the capability
to utilize the highest standards of care."
Patient care is not just limited to voice disorders such as voice misuse
and overuse. Patients will receive treatment for such ailments as laryngopharyngeal
reflux, laryngeal tumors, spasmodic dysphonia, vocal cord paralysis,
vocal fold scarring, vocal fold nodules and polyps, vocal fold bowing,
and vocal hydration. The Center plans to develop its own preventive
health program for the speaking voice. Both a clinical and basic science
research component in collaboration with labs at Emory and Georgia Tech
will also be an integral part of the program.
Dr. Johns received his medical degree from the Johns Hopkins University
School of Medicine and his residency training in the Department of Otolaryngology
at the University of Michigan Medical Center. He was a research fellow
through an NIH training grant at the University of Michigan Muscle Mechanics
Laboratory and followed that with a fellowship in laryngology and care
of the professional voice at Vanderbilt University.
Dr. Johns is a member of the Academy of Otolaryngology and the American
Medical Association. His research articles have been published in Archives
of OtolaryngologyHead and Neck Surgery; International Journal of Cancer;
American Journal of Roentgenology; Laryngoscope; Annals of Otolaryngology;
and Human Molecular Genetics. His special interest is in vocal fold
motion impairment.
For more information call Emory Health Connection at 404/778-7777 or
1-800/ 75-EMORY.
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