Former Fellows
Laryngology Fellows
2010 - Manish D. Shah, MD, MPhil
Dr. Shah is a graduate of University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine, where he also completed post-graduate residency training in Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery. During his residency training he obtained a Master's degree in Epidemiology at the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom. Following his residency training, Dr. Shah pursued further training in Head & Neck Oncology through an American Head & Neck Society fellowship program at the University of Toronto. The strong clinical and research reputation of the fellowship program at the Emory Voice Center attracted Dr. Shah to come to Atlanta to obtain advanced training in the field of Laryngology and Voice Disorders.
2009 – 2010 – Taryn Davids MD, FRCSC
Dr. Davids is a graduate of the McMaster School of Medicine. She completed her residency in Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Toronto, Canada. She then went on to complete a fellowship in Laryngology and the Care of the Professional Voice at the Emory Voice Center, Atlanta GA.
She is currently on staff as a practicing laryngologist at the University of Toronto Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery. Her clinical specialties include general otolaryngology, laryngeal and swallowing disorders, and the professional voice. She is an active member of the American Academy of Otolaryngology, the Canadian Society of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Canadian Medical Association, and a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.
Speech Language Pathology Fellows
2010 - Aaron Ziegler, MA, CCC-SLP
Singing voice specialist and speech-language pathologist, Aaron Ziegler, is currently pursuing his Ph.D. at the University of Pittsburgh under Dr. Katherine Verdolini Abbott after recently completing his clinical fellowship at the Emory Voice Center. Concurrently, he is providing care at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. He has also worked as a voice trainer in his private studio, as a performing arts teacher in Hong Kong and Bangkok, and as adjunct faculty at Columbia College Chicago. He has written as first author a chapter on voice physiology for a performing arts text entitled The Thought Propels the Sound, and a review article on voice therapy for teachers that was published in Folia Phoniatrica. Aaron earned a BFA in theater from the University of Michigan where he studied with George Shirley and an MA from Northwestern University in Speech-Language Pathology. He cannot say enough about the amazing comprehensive experience at Emory!
2009 - Archie B. Harmon, MA, CCC-SLP
Undergraduate: University of Florida, BA in Communication Sciences and Disorders, 2002
Graduate: University of Central Florida, MA in Communication Sciences and Disorders, 2006
Current Education: Florida State University, Doctoral Candidate, Communication Sciences and Disorders
Personal Statement: Specialists often discuss their mentors when they are asked about their clinical knowledge and achievements. This principle remains true as a clinical fellow at the Emory Voice Center. The multidisciplinary team of experienced laryngologists, speech pathologists, radiation oncologists, and head and neck surgeons foster your growth as a competent clinician. I was surrounded with mentors that were passionate about sharing knowledge of laryngeal biomechanics, clinical assessment using videostroboscopy, and treatment of voice and swallowing disorders. You are encouraged to further research in the field and to refine your knowledge of evidence-based practice in Speech Pathology throughout the experience. To an extent, you are pleasantly spoiled with the cutting-edge technology and assessment tools which enhanced the patient care provided. When you leave the fellowship experience, you are competent and confident in assessment and treatment of voice and swallowing disorders
2008-2009 - Eva Lukkonen, MM, MA CCC-SLP
Undergraduate: University of Southern California, BM, Music Performance: Vocal Arts, 2003
Graduate: California State University, Long Beach, MA, Communicative Disorders, 2008; MM, Opera Performance, 2009
Personal statement: The rigorous training I received at the Emory Voice Center inifinitely developed my clinical skills, not only in voice therapy and laryngeal imaging, but also in dysphagia management and head and neck cancer. I was able to work with and learn from speech pathologists and physicians at the top of their fields, and I was honored to be part of such a collaborative and highly respected team.
2008 – Yumi Sumida
Mentoring! We give great lip-service to this process, but it is well demonstrated at the Emory Voice Center. Experienced and insightful SLP’s nudge me to explore various techniques beyond my comfort zone in voice therapy. The team of ENT’s and SLP’s steady hands have guided mine as I develop laryngeal imaging skills. I am mentored through dysphagia assessment and management, the research process, and professional development skills in a most collegial environment.
2007 – Maia Braden, MS, CCC-SLP
Undergraduate: University of Wisconsin - Madison, BA Music (Vocal Performance)
Graduate: University of Wisconsin – Madison, MS in Speech & Language Pathology
Personal Statement: The clinical fellowship at Emory Voice Center offers an outstanding learning experience in a multidisciplinary clinic. During my clinical fellowship year, I had the opportunity to develop assessment skills in laryngeal imaging, strobe interpretation, acoustic and aerodynamic assessment, modified barium swallow studies, and flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing, and developed my therapeutic skills in speaking and singing voice. In addition to clinical work, I had many chances to develop research and presentation skills. In collaboration with other team members, I developed and presented a research project at a national symposium. I am currently a voice pathologist/ singing voice specialist at the Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Laryngeal Surgery and Voice Rehabilitation in Boston, MA.
2006 – Amy Fields, SLP
Undergraduate: University of Delaware, BA, Music/Vocal Performance, 1998
Graduate: Indiana University, MA in Speech & Language Pathology, 2005 East Carolina University, MA, Music, Vocal Performance and Pedagogy
Fellowship: Thomas Jefferson University, Care of the Professional Voice with Dr. Rovert Sataloff
Personal statement: The opportunities presented by the Emory Voice Center have resulted in extensive clinical growth, both in therapeutic techniques and in laryngeal imaging skills. I have developed my first research project, the results of which I hope to present at a national symposium. The collaboration between the speech-language pathologists and laryngologists has created the ideal learning environment.
2005 – Carissa Portone, MS, CCC-SLP
Undergraduate: University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, BA in Psychology, 2001
Graduate: University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, MS in Speech & Language Pathology, 2004
Personal Statement: I had the honor of being selected as the first Voice and Swallowing Clinical Fellow at the Emory Voice Center. During my year-long fellowship, I developed my clinical and research skills in the voice field. I became comfortable with performing rigid and flexible videostroboscopy and honed my techniques in voice evaluation and treatment. I was able to gain independence quickly, but having the safety net of excellent supervisors helped me gain the confidence I needed to become a strong clinician. As the Emory Voice Center Clinical Fellow, excellence was expected. That expectation pushed me to achieve successes I never thought would be possible in my first year of professional work: I presented at state and national conferences and had my first article accepted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal. Thanks to my top-notch training at the Emory Voice Center, I was employed as a full-time voice therapist at the Evelyn Trammell Voice and Swallowing Center at Saint Joseph’s Hospital of Atlanta immediately upon completion of my CFY.
