Michael M. Johns, MD

Professor of Clinical Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery

Stevie Nicks and Joseph Sugerman, MD, Endowed Chair in Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery

Director of Medical Student Education

Division Director of Laryngology

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Overview

My goal as the director of the USC Voice Center is to improve the quality of life for individuals with voice, swallowing and airway disorders. I strive to achieve this through a true interdisciplinary approach to promoting health, preventing and curing disease, advancing biomedical research and educating those around me.

I received my undergraduate degree in economics at the University of Virginia, but my passion is for medicine. I graduated medical school from the Johns Hopkins University and then pursued training in Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Michigan. While there, I did an NIH funded research year and became interested in voice, swallowing and airway disorders. This led me to pursue specialty fellowship training at the Vanderbilt Voice Center. I then founded the Emory Voice Center with Speech Pathologist Dr. Edie Hapner, PhD in Atlanta Georgia, which was amongst the first interdisciplinary voice centers in United States. 12 years later, I was recruited to the University of Southern California to form the USC Voice Center and bring our interdisciplinary model of care to Southern California.

I embrace a caring, patient-centered approach with my patients. At the USC Voice Center, my patients can count on a coordinated, cohesive and unique experience backed by a team of voice and swallowing experts to optimize outcomes and satisfaction.

#Courses

OHNS 507, Voice and Resonance Disorders (Y1, Spring Semester)

Awards

  • LA Magazine: Top Doctor – Dr. Michael Johns, 2019
     – 2019
  • Pasadena Magazine: Top Doctor – Dr. Michael Johns, 2017
     – 2018

Research Funding

  • CONSTRUCTION OF NEUROSCIENCE FACILITY
    NIH · C06RR017379 · May 1, 2002 – Apr 30, 2004 · Role: Principal Investigator
  • EXTRAMURAL RESEARCH FACILITIES CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS
    NIH · C06RR015461 · Sep 30, 2000 – Sep 29, 2003 · Role: Principal Investigator
  • LABORATORY AT YERKES REGIONAL PRIMATE RESEARCH CENTER
    NIH · C06RR012465 · Sep 30, 1997 – Sep 29, 1999 · Role: Principal Investigator
  • Support of Yerkes National Primate Research Center
    NIH · P51OD011132 · May 1, 1997 – Apr 30, 2021 · Role: Co-Principal Investigator
  • EXTRAMURAL RESEARCH FACILITIES CONSTRUCTION
    NIH · C06RR011208 · May 15, 1996 – Nov 14, 1999 · Role: Principal Investigator
  • SMALL INSTRUMENTATION GRANT
    NIH · S15HL047724 · Sep 1, 1991 – Aug 31, 1992 · Role: Principal Investigator
  • Research Training in Otolaryngology
    NIH · T32DC000027 · Jul 10, 1989 – Jun 30, 2025 · Role: Co-Principal Investigator
  • General Clinical Research Center
    NIH · M01RR002719 · Dec 1, 1985 – Nov 30, 2007 · Role: Co-Principal Investigator
  • BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH SUPPORT
    NIH · S07RR005378 · Apr 1, 1979 – Sep 29, 1994 · Role: Principal Investigator
  • GENERAL CLINICAL RESEARCH CENTER
    NIH · M01RR000722 · Dec 1, 1977 – Nov 30, 1997 · Role: Co-Principal Investigator
  • Support of Yerkes National Primate Research Center
    NIH · P51RR000165 · Jun 1, 1976 – Apr 30, 2016 · Role: Principal Investigator
  • General Clinical Research Center
    NIH · M01RR000052 · Oct 1, 1974 – Nov 30, 2009 · Role: Co-Principal Investigator
  • GENERAL CLINICAL RESEARCH CENTER
    NIH · M01RR000035 · Oct 1, 1974 – Nov 30, 1998 · Role: Co-Principal Investigator

Publications

  • ‘Staying in the lane’ of public health? Boundary-work in the roles of state health officials and experts in COVID-19 policymaking. Sociol Health Illn. 2024 06; 46(5):1004-1022.. View in PubMed
  • Prospective >12 Months Outcomes After Vocal Fold Injection Medialization With Silk Microparticle-Hyaluronic Acid Material. Laryngoscope. 2024 08; 134(8):3679-3685.. View in PubMed
  • Decision-Making in the Treatment of Idiopathic Subglottic Stenosis: A Survey of Laryngologists. Laryngoscope. 2024 02; 134(2):865-872.. View in PubMed
  • Cannabinoid Use in the Treatment of Laryngeal Dystonia and Vocal Tremor: A Pilot Investigation. J Voice. 2025 Sep; 39(5):1313-1320.. View in PubMed
  • Artificial Intelligence and Laryngeal Cancer: From Screening to Prognosis: A State of the Art Review. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2023 03; 168(3):319-329.. View in PubMed
  • Serial In-Office Steroid Injections for Airway Stenosis: Long-Term Benefit and Cost Analysis. Laryngoscope. 2023 10; 133(10):2673-2679.. View in PubMed
  • Virtual Versus In-Person Head and Neck Physical Examination Training in Medical Students: A Pilot Assessment. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2023 Oct; 132(10):1140-1148.. View in PubMed
  • Gauging Stakeholder Perspectives on Artificial Intelligence in Gender-Affirming Voice Care. Laryngoscope. 2023 Jul; 133(7):1698-1705.. View in PubMed
  • Variations in Practices and Preferences of Vocal Fold Injection Materials: A National Survey. Laryngoscope. 2023 05; 133(5):1176-1183.. View in PubMed
  • Cricothyroid Muscle Botulinum Toxin Chemodenervation to Treat Recalcitrant High-Pitched Functional Dysphonia in an Adult Male. J Voice. 2024 Nov; 38(6):1531.e1-1531.e3.. View in PubMed