From left: Chandler Thompson, Jessica Taylor, Jayme Dowdall and Thomas Carroll perform together at one of two BWH World Voice Day celebrations.

Members of BWH’s Division of Otolaryngology came together to perform a special concert for the BWH community on April 14 in honor of World Voice Day. An international celebration and awareness day for the human voice and the power it gives us, World Voice Day is held annually on April 16.

“It is wonderful to come to work every day and care for people who love to do something that you love to do—sing,” said Thomas Carroll, MD. Carroll is the director of the division’s Voice Program, which provides coordinated care and innovative therapies to patients with voice and airway conditions, including voice professionals, performing artists and patients with complex medical and surgical conditions.

The performance, which was held in Cabot Atrium, included classical pieces, as well as more modern songs by Adele and James Taylor, accompanied by pianist Rob Bezubka. Laryngologist and Voice Program Co-Director Jayme Dowdall, MD, speech pathologist and Voice Program team member Chandler Thompson, DMA, MS, CCC-SLP, and Otolaryngology practice assistant Jessica Taylor, MM, all performed solos, as well as a final song together with Carroll.

In addition to the performances, speech pathologist and Voice Program team member Maxine van Doren, CCC-SLP, and medical interpreter Marta Solis spoke about vocal health. Division Chief Jo Shapiro, MD, also provided a welcome and introduction.

The Division of Otolaryngology provides comprehensive medical and surgical services for diseases of the head and neck, including the management of diseases of the ears, hearing disorders, ear infections, nasal and sinus problems, sleep disorders, swallowing disorders, voice pathology and disease, tumors of the head and neck, and plastic and reconstructive surgery.

The most basic definition of a voice problem is having a pitch, loudness or vocal quality that draws attention to itself rather than to what the speaker is saying. A voice problem may also include pain, discomfort or fatigue while speaking.

“The voice is so much of who we are,” said Dowdall. “We want people to know that they don’t have to suffer from vocal problems.”

As part of its World Voice Day celebration, BWH also held an event on April 16 featuring musical performances by the Voice Program team members and BWH patients, including Broadway actor Josh Franklin.

To learn more about the program, visit www.brighamandwomens.org/voice.