Welcome from the Director
Lesley F. Childs, M.D.
April 16, 2026
It is with genuine excitement and gratitude that I welcome you to the fifth edition of our UT Southwestern Voice Center Update. This spring brings a true sense of renewal for our team - a season marked by fresh energy, new faces, and a strengthened commitment to our mission of delivering world-class patient care, advancing impactful research, and training the next generation of outstanding physicians and speech-language pathologists.
Now in my 15th year at UT Southwestern, I am profoundly honored to step into the role of Director of Laryngology. Leading our remarkable Voice Center team - which is recognized nationally and internationally for excellence in the management of complex voice, airway, and swallowing disorders - is a privilege and an inspiration. I remain committed to fostering an environment where patients feel deeply supported, clinicians and trainees thrive, and groundbreaking research continues to shape the field of laryngology.
As we turn this exciting page, we are thrilled to welcome two exceptional new colleagues to UT Southwestern: Kevin Liang, M.D., our newest laryngologist, and Caroline Crocker Hurt, M.S., CCC-SLP, who joins us as a skilled speech-language pathologist. Their expertise, clinical insight, and collaborative spirit elevate our Voice Center in meaningful ways, and we are eager for you to get to know them.
Our dedication to excellence is unwavering. From innovative surgical and clinical techniques and comprehensive voice and swallowing rehabilitation to research that influences practice across the country and around the world, we continue to push the boundaries of what is possible in our field. Every member of our team plays a vital role in ensuring the care we provide is highly specialized and deeply patient-centered.
This season of growth also calls us to reflect on those whose leadership has shaped our trajectory. Our longtime colleague and friend Ted Mau, M.D., Ph.D., recently began an exciting new chapter at Stanford University. His contributions remain woven into the fabric of our Center. We are grateful for the legacy of excellence and innovation he helped establish.
We are optimistic for the future as our UT Southwestern Voice Center moves forward with renewed leadership, new team members, and a shared sense of purpose. Thank you for your trust, partnership, and belief in our mission. We look forward to continuing to grow, discover, and care together in the months and years ahead.
Sincerely,
Lesley F. Childs, M.D.
Professor of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery
Director of Laryngology, Voice Center