The Center For Voice and Swallowing of Columbia University Medical Center

The Center for Voice & Seallowing is a cutting-edge clinical and research program dedicated to studying and developing treatments for voice and swallowing disorders. The VSI is dedicated to providing comprehensive state of the art laryngeal care to patients in a compassionate atmosphere, while effecting groundbreaking research and educating future laryngologists and speech language pathologists. When you experience a change in your voice, difficulty swallowing or breathing, or the feeling of a sore throat, it can indicate one of many medical conditions. At the Voice and Swallowing Institute, our voice and swallowing team have extensive training and years of experience in the evaluation and treatment of these disorders. We understand the anxiety that can accompany a voice disorder and know that it can be frustrating trying to get a proper diagnosis. Here at the Institute, your voice, breathing, and swallowing goals are our primary concern. We not only listen to your voice, but we also listen to your individual needs, concerns, and goals. Working closely with you, we utilize the most current diagnostic techniques along with medical, surgical, and therapeutic treatments, so that you can be sure you are receiving the best medical care possible. Please visit our page to see what the members of the Institute are working on, the research they are doing, lectures and seminars that are happening and and learn tips to care for your vocal and swallowing health. Faculty

Michael J. Pitman, MD, Chief of the Division of Laryngology and Director of the Voice and Swallowing Institute at CUMC. Dr. Pitman is an internationally-recognized expert in voice restoration, conservation, and care of the professional voice, and the care of swallowing and airway disorders. Evan Kennedy, MS, CCC-SLP, is a speech language pathologist with clinical expertise in voice disorders, and voice disorders of the singer and professional voice user. He is also an accomplished musical theater performer. Holly Reckers, MS, CCC-SLP, is a speech language pathologist with clinical expertise in voice disorders, swallowing disorders, and voice disorders of the singer and professional voice user. She is also an accomplished classical singer. Ignacio Hernandez-Morata, PhD, is a research scientist who specializes in basic scientific research related to nerve regeneration and restoration of the voice following nerve injury. Yalda Moayedi PhD is a research scientist who specializes in basic scientific research related to sensory organs of the throat and their impact on swallowing. Michelle Troche PhD, CCC-SLP, is a clinician and research scientist specializing in the development of treatment paradigms to improve swallowing and airway protection in patients with neurodegenerative disease. Staff

Tiffany Ilarraza
Practice Assistant

Damaryst Johnson
Practice Assistant

Justine Munoz
Medical Assistant

Vimmy Seajatan
Medical Assistant

Abhinav Joshi
Research Technician

Angela Kemfack
Research Technician