Foundation History
A few years ago, several veteran Laryngectomees representing Voice Clubs in Northern California, met to sort out better methods of serving the Laryngectomee community, especially the new Laryngectomee and family. Each of these representatives were designated Patient Visitors by their respective Voice Clubs and thus, had very specific concerns with the lack of available Educational and Instructional materials that they could share with the new Laryngectomees and Family / Caregivers. The conclusions were presented to Dr. Mark Singer and Dr. Carla Gress at the UCSF Medical Center in San Francisco, to determine how to proceed. Doctors Singer and Gress are known internationally for their expertise in the treatment of head and neck cancer patients.
Their direction was to outline the medical, clinical and psychological Instructional and Educational needs of the new Laryngectomee patient and Family. Medical and Clinical professionals as well as Laryngectomee groups and medical facilities throughout the country were surveyed to establish what professional Educational materials were available, timely and relevant, so as not to duplicate efforts.
The FOUNDATION FOR VOICE RESTORATION was founded as a Tax Exempt 501 © 3 Non Profit, Charitable organization.
The Medical / Clinical Oversight Board is established to review all submitted materials considered for Foundation publication.
Mission
Statement
The Foundation for Voice Restoration is dedicated to the development of improved communication for individuals afflicted by cancer of the larynx. Educational efforts are directed to the head and neck surgery and speech-language pathology communities to promote and encourage current and future methods of speech rehabilitation. Funding is directed towards innovative speech research programs and prosthetic development.
Additional funding areas include initiatives to prevent laryngeal cancer, understanding the molecular basis of laryngeal cancer, and to reduce the complications of therapeutic interventions for head and neck cancers.
Medical and
Clinical Direction
Edward J Damrose, MD FACS, is Assistant Professor and Chief of the Division of Laryngology, Department of Otolaryngology/HEad and Neck Sugery, Stanford Voice and Swallowing Center. Dr. Damrose specializes in endoscopic surgeryof the larynx, conservation surgery for laryngeal cancer, and reconstructive surgery for voice restoration.
Daniel G. Deschler, MD,FACS, is the Director of Head and Neck Surgery at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Director of Head and Neck Surgical Oncology at the Massachusetts General Hospital and an Associate Professor of Otology and Laryngology at Harvard Medical School in Boston. He has a particular interest in voice production after laryngeal cancer surgery, and the quality of life of head and neck cancer patients.
Carla DeLassus Gress, Sc.D., CCC-SLP, is a speech–language pathologist with expertise in the evaluation and treatment of voice and speech disorders associated with head and neck cancer utilizing acoustic, aerodynamic, and videoendoscopic techniques.
In collaboration with Dr. Singer, she developed the Voice Center at the University of California-San Francisco, and has been responsible for the development and organization of numerous professional continuing education programs.
She is currently engaged in private practice in Virginia.
Mark I. Singer, M.D., F.A.C.S., is the Robert K Werbe Distinguished Professor and Vice-Chair of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of California–San Francisco. He is well known for his revolutionary work in surgical-prosthetic voice restoration following total laryngectomy.
Dr. Singer is also responsible for the introduction of several re-constructive and therapeutic operative techniques at UCSF.
Widely published, he has been the recipient of numerous awards and honors for his contributions to the field of laryngology. Currently he is affiliated with the California - Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco.
