The Wake Forest Baptist Health Voice and Swallowing Center is the only multidisciplinary center in the region providing state of the art evaluation and treatment for people with voice, swallowing, and upper airway problems. We are staffed by a highly skilled team of fellowship-trained laryngologists and specialized speech-language pathologists who work together towards the collective vision of defining clinical excellence in the evaluation and treatment of laryngeal (voice box) disorders. Our team is unified by the mission to provide the highest level of care to our patients and to be leaders in patient-centered research and innovation in the care of laryngeal disorders.
Our clinical care is integrated with the team’s commitment to provide training programs for future physicians and clinicians through our affiliation with the Wake Forest School of Medicine, a nationally and internationally recognized leader in education and biomedical research. Providing support to local universities and community groups through vocal health screenings and educational workshops is at the heart of our Center’s dedication to caring for our neighbors and improving the health of people in the community we serve.
Voice, Swallowing, and Upper Airway Specialty Services
Whether you suffer from hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, chronic cough, or a more complex breathing problem, our specialists have the medical and surgical expertise to diagnose and manage your condition. Learn more about the conditions we treat through the links below.
Meet the Team
Laryngologists
Our team includes two fellowship trained laryngologists (ear, nose and throat doctors with advanced training and expertise in voice, swallowing, and upper airway disorders). Our laryngologists are nationally and internationally recognized for their expertise in advanced diagnostics of laryngeal disorders, cutting edge surgical treatments, and clinical research. Learn more.
Specialized Speech-Language Pathologists
Our physicians work hand in hand with our unique team of specialized speech-language pathologists (SLPs) who have expertise in the sub-specialties of voice, airway, and swallowing conditions. Many of our patients are evaluated same day by one of our speech-language pathologists to allow for enhanced patient convenience and treatment planning. Learn more about our specialty SLP teams below:
Dysphagia/Head and Neck Cancer SLP Team
The dysphagia and head and neck cancer SLP team provides high-quality evaluation and treatment of swallowing disorders that can result from stroke, head and neck cancer, Parkinson’s, ALS, and other conditions. Patients may experience coughing and choking during meals, feeling like liquids “go down the wrong pipe,” and the sensation of food or pills sticking in their throat. Our team also provides pre-operative and post-operative care for patients undergoing a total laryngectomy, a surgery to treat cancer of the larynx (voice box). Learn more through the links below:
- Swallowing Evaluation
- Swallowing Therapy
- Chemoradiation Dysphagia Program
- Laryngectomy
Voice and Upper Airway SLP Team
Our voice pathologists (voice-specialized speech-language pathologists) evaluate and treat a wide range of voice disorders including vocal fold lesions, aging voice, neurologic conditions, or even misuse/overuse of the vocal system. Our clinicians treat all patients who experience voice problems, including professional singers, actors, teachers, clergy, and other voice professionals. They also collaborate with other medical disciplines to treat upper airway disorders such as chronic cough, chronic throat clearing, exercise-induced laryngeal obstruction, or paradoxical vocal fold movement (PVFM)/vocal cord dysfunction. Learn more through the links below:
Neurogenic Communication SLP Team
The neurogenic communication SLP team specializes in treating patients with acquired, neurogenic communication disorders. This type of communication impairment typically results from injury to the brain such as stroke, traumatic brain injury (TBI), brain tumors, or progressive neurological diseases (e.g. Parkinson disease, Alzheimer's dementia, ALS, Primary Progressive Aphasia). Our SLPs work closely with neurologists, neuropsychologists and other neuro-rehabilitation disciplines including physical therapy, occupational therapy, and recreational therapy to develop a treatment plan that focuses on optimizing rehabilitation and improving overall participation and quality of life. Learn more through the links below: