|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
The Duke Voice Care Team
Laryngologists—are ear, nose, and throat surgeons who have undergone specialty training related to voice disorders. The laryngologist assesses and treats the medical factors that are contributing to the voice problem.
Seth Cohen, MD
Richard Scher, MD
David Witsell, MD
Speech pathologists—are clinicians with a master’s degree who specialize in evaluating and treating conditions related to communication. All speech pathologists at the DVCC have a specialty in managing voice disorders. Speech pathologists evaluate and treat the physiology (function) of voice, educate patients extensively on factors which influence voice production, and rehabilitate the voice with an exercise and treatment program unique to each patient.
Caroline Banka
Gina Vess
Singing voice specialists—are speech pathologists with extensive background in singing and vocal pedagogy (teaching singing), but may also be a singing teacher with extensive training in voice disorders and voice rehabilitation. The singing voice specialist helps determine the role of performing in the vocal injury and provides therapy for the special needs of the performing voice. In addition, the singing voice specialist often advocates for the patient with artistic personnel regarding a particular performance and helps with vocal pacing and making scheduling decisions.
Leda Scearce |
|
|
|
 |
|
David Witsell, MD, MHS is the Director of the Duke Voice Care Center and an Associate Professor of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at Duke University Medical Center Department of Surgery. Dr. Witsell received his Medical Degree from the University of Colorado in Denver in 1990 and completed his intership and residency at university of North Carolina in 1995. Because of his interest in outcomes research and evidence-based medicine, Dr. Witsell also completed a Masters in Health Sciences and Clinical Research at Duke University Medical School in 2000. Dr Witsell has pursued his interest in quality of life research and evidence-based medicine as a faculty member of the Duke Clinical Research Institute and as the Research Coordinator of the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgey. Dr. Witsell trained in the evaluation and management of voice disorders under the direction of Dr Patrick Kenan, MD who was a both an Otolaryngologist and entertainer in North Carolina. Dr. Witsell’s clinical interests include providing comprehensive state-of-the-art medical and surgical management for patients with voice problems, cancer, and sleep disorders. He enjoys the Hiking and biking, carpentry, international travel, family time, and home repair. |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Caroline Banka, MS, CCC-SLP is a Clinical Speech-Language Pathologist in the Division of Speech Pathology & Audiology at Duke University Medical Center. Ms. Banka received her Master of Science Degree in Speech-Language Pathology at UNC Chapel Hill. She has specialized in the area of voice for 7 years, providing voice evaluations as well as voice therapy. She has advanced training in voice, including courses at the Summer Vocology Institute at the National Center for Voice and Speech. She has worked with practitioners of body awareness and movement training, including the Alexander Technique and Fitzmaurice Voicework. She applies these principles in voice therapy, as she helps patients find their most efficient voice production. She works with teachers and clergy and others who have significant vocal demands in their careers. She co-teaches the Voice Disorders class in the Master’s degree program at UNC-CH. Ms. Banka is a member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. She is an avid choral singer and is a member of the Choral Society of Durham. |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Seth M. Cohen, MD, MPH is an Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at Duke University Medical Center Department of Surgery. Dr. Cohen received his Medical Degree from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill in 2000. Because of his interest in clinical research, Dr. Cohen also completed a Masters in Public Health in Epidemiology in 1999. He then completed his Surgical Internship at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in 2001 and his Otolaryngology-Head and Neck residency at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in 2005. During his residency, Dr. Cohen developed an interest in voice disorders and became active in research endeavors exploring patient outcomes and health-related quality of life. To further develop this interest, Dr. Cohen completed a fellowship in Laryngology and Care of the Professional Voice at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in 2006. Dr. Cohen’s clinical interests include providing state-of-the-art medical and surgical management for patients with voice problems. He enjoys the outdoors, tennis, music (jazz and blues), ethnic food, travel, and spending time with his wife and children. |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Leda Scearce, MM, MS, CCC-SLP is Clinical Coordinator/Speech-Language Pathologist and Professional/Singing Voice Specialist for the Duke Voice Care Center at Duke University Medical Center. As a voice therapist and singing voice specialist, Ms. Scearce combines her passion for helping people with voice disorders with her extensive background as a singer and voice teacher. Ms. Scearce holds the Bachelor and Master of Music degrees in Voice Performance from Indiana University. Her performance experience includes appearances as leading soprano and soloist with opera companies, orchestras and music festivals across the United States. A voice teacher for over twenty years, she has served on the faculties of five universities and colleges. Ms. Scearce obtained the Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Boston University, where she completed an internship in voice disorders at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary. As a member of the Duke Voice Care Center team, she provides voice evaluation and rehabilitation therapy to singers, actors and other vocal performers with voice injuries. Ms. Scearce is a member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and the National Association of Teachers of Singing. She enjoys birding, the outdoors and spending time with her husband, composer J. Mark Scearce. |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Richard Scher, MD, FACS
Dr. Scher is Associate Professor and Associate Chief of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery in the Department of Surgery at the Duke University Health System. He received his medical degree from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, and went on to receive his surgical and otolarynogologic training at the University of Virginia. Following completion of residency training, he went to the Johns Hopkins University where he served and trained as a fellow in Head and Neck Surgical Oncology, Instructor in the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, and Surgical Oncology Fellow of the American Cancer Society. Since that time, Dr. Scher has practiced at Duke University, where he has been instrumental in researching and developing minimally invasive surgical techniques to treat diseases of the head and neck, with a goal to apply less invasive methods of treatment for patients with head and neck malignancy and disorders of swallowing. His experience with endoscopic surgery for patients with swallowing disorders is among the largest in the world. His interests include helping patients with disorders of the throat and voice box that result in swallowing difficulties. |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Gina Vess, MA, CCC/SLP is a Clinical Associate in the School of Medicine and Clinical Coordinator/Voice Specialist/Speech-Language Pathologist for the Duke Voice Care Center at Duke University Medical Center. Ms. Vess received her BA from UNC Chapel Hill and MA degree in Communication Disorders from Appalachian State University. She has specialized in the areas of voice, swallowing, and head/neck cancer for over 13 years. Her voice expertise is evaluating and treating people who have medically complex and multi-factorial voice conditions as well as the aging voice. She also specializes in voice restoration and prosthetic management via tracheo-esophageal speech after cancer of the larynx, and management of swallowing disorders. Additionally, she is considered an expert in the area of paradoxical vocal cord dysfunction and related irritable larynx conditions. She co-teaches the Voice Disorders class in the Master’s degree program at UNC-CH. Ms. Vess is a member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Her personal interests include rock climbing, hiking, and cycling. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
