Our Physicians

Karen M. Lyons, MD

Karen M. Lyons, MD is Clinical Associate Professor of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery in the Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery at Drexel University College of Medicine. She graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1979 after having received her undergraduate degree in mathematics from the University of Connecticut. She completed her residency in otorhinolaryngology at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in 1983. Dr. Lyons became assistant professor of otolaryngology at Harvard Medical School/Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary. In 1985, she returned to Philadelphia and has practiced at Pennsylvania Hospital, Northeastern Hospital,Graduate Hospital and Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. She has been associated with our office since 1996. Her publications include works on evaluation of flap perfusion and on vocal fold physiology.

If you have questions for Dr. Karen Lyons, you may e-mail her at office@phillyent.com.

Yolanda D. Heman-Ackah, MD

Yolanda D. Heman-Ackah, MD  is an otolaryngologist, certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology, who subspecializes in professional voice care and laryngology. Her background as a trained musician, dancer, and singer makes her uniquely qualified to understand the vocal demands of the performing artist, and to tailor treatment of professional voice disorders based on this understanding. Her primary practice focus is in treating the professional voice user (singers, actors, public speakers), but she also treats other voice and airway problems such as reflux, spasmodic dysphonia, laryngeal papillomatosis, airway stenosis, vocal fold paralysis, arytenoid dislocation, and laryngeal cancer. Her approach to the care of the professional voice is multidisciplinary and includes the active involvement of a speaking voice therapist, acting voice therapists, singing voice therapists, gastroenterologists, neurologists, pulmonologists, general surgeons, and other healthcare professionals, as indicated by the individual patient's needs. Her additional interests include pediatric airway and voice disorders and head and neck cancer surgery.

Dr. Heman-Ackah received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and her Doctor of Medicine degree from Northwestern University as part of the Honors Program in Medical Education. She completed a residency in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Minnesota and then completed a fellowship in Professional Voice Care and Laryngology under the preceptorship of Robert T. Sataloff, M.D., D.M.A. in Philadelphia, PA. Following her fellowship, she founded and directed the Voice Center at the University of Illinois at Chicago, where she brought professional voice care to the Chicago voice community and was Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. She has also held the position as Head of the Section of Laryngology and Co-Director of the Voice Center at the Cleveland Clinic. She currently has an appointment as Associate Professor at Drexel University College of Medicine and Adjunct Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at Thomas Jefferson University Medical College here in Philadelphia.

Dr. Heman-Ackah is known nationally and internationally for her pioneering research on the laryngeal chemoreflex, which has furthered our understanding of how laryngeal reflexes can contribute to sudden infant death syndrome, as well as for her research in developing measures for voice analysis and in describing strobovideolarngoscopic findings in singers. Dr. Heman-Ackah has received numerous awards and grants for her research, including awards from the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, the American Laryngological Association, and the American Laryngological Voice Research and Education Foundation. She has been elected to membership in the International Association of Phonosurgeons, the American Laryngological Association, the Triologic Society, and the American Broncho-Esophagological Society. She is also a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS), the Voice and Speech Trainer's Association (VASTA), the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, the Latin Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, and of the Voice Foundation. She is the current National Medical Advisor for VASTA, as well. She has written numerous publications, including co-authoring the first textbook on laryngeal electromyography. She is a member of the Editorial Board of the Journal of Voice and a reviewer for Laryngoscope, Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery Journal, and Annals of Otology, Rhinology, and Laryngology. She has been recognized by the state and Federal governments, and has been appointed to the Physicians' Advisory Board by the National Republican Congressional Committee and to the Pennsylvania Hearing Aid Sales Registration Law Advisory Council by Governor Rendell. She continues to pioneer advancements in voice care through her basic science and clinical research, as well as through educational programs for medical students, residents, singing teachers, speech-language pathologists, otolaryngologists, and other physicians and voice professionals.

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If you have questions for Dr. Yolanda D. Heman-Ackah, you may e-mail her at voice@phillyent.com.

Robert J. Wolfson, MD

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If you have questions for Dr. Robert Wolfson, you may e-mail him at Robert.Wolfson@DrexelMed.edu.

Venu Divi, MD

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If you have questions for Dr. Venu Divi, you may e-mail him at office@phillyent.com.