BFOA Teams Up with Dr. Steven Zeitels and the Voice Health Institute
The Broadcasters Foundation of America (BFOA) has teamed up with Dr. Steven M. Zeitels from the patient nonprofit Voice Health Institute (VHI) to offer broadcast industry professionals information about laryngeal and voice care. Like the Broadcasters Foundation — a charitable organization that provides financial assistance to broadcasters in acute need from illness or tragedy — VHI is a 501(C)3 charity, focused on helping individuals with laryngeal voice and airway care across the country.
Dr. Zeitels is the Professor of Laryngeal Surgery at Harvard Medical School and the Director of Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Center for Laryngeal Surgery and Voice Rehabilitation (MGH Voice Center). He specializes in diseases and disorders of the throat, voice, airway, and larynx. His contributions to voice and laryngeal surgery are highly recognized in the USA and throughout the world.
“The Broadcasters Foundation has done amazing work over many years,” observed Dr. Zeitels. “I am impressed with their transparency and their commitment to providing aid to broadcast industry individuals in dire need. I am pleased that VHI will partner with the Foundation to help educate broadcasters throughout the US about voice problems they may be experiencing.”
“The synergies between the VHI and the BFOA are obvious,” stated Tim McCarthy, President of the Broadcasters Foundation. “In our profession, if an on-air individual has trouble with or loses their voice, they also lose their livelihood. And the same may hold true for off-air personnel, who use their voice to interact with clients, co-workers, and more. Having Dr. Zeitels as a resource will be an invaluable benefit for our broadcasters.”
A majority of human achievements are dependent on voice production, such as the transference of experience and knowledge, the creation and dissemination of achievements, and providing entertainment.
Through the efforts of Dr. Zeitels, Julie Andrews (the iconic actress who lost her singing voice) joined VHI at its incorporation as its Honorary Chairwoman. Dr. Zeitels is her current physician and surgeon. Since then, legendary vocalists Steven Tyler of Aerosmith, Roger Daltrey of The Who, Lionel Richie, and Keith Urban as well as broadcasters such as Joe Buck and Dick Vitale have provided invaluable support to the VHI to forward its mission.
“Voice loss can affect any person, irrespective of age, profession, or gender,” added Dr. Zeitels. “VHI is dedicated to advancing laryngology and voice restoration through sponsoring innovative basic and translational research as well as promoting education and outreach programs.”
The VHI works in cooperation with Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and other institutions.
About the Broadcasters Foundation of America: www.broadcastersfoundation.org
The Broadcasters Foundation has distributed more than $15 million dollars in aid over the past 20 years. This year, the Foundation will award approximately $1.8 million. More information about the Broadcasters Foundation, including how to make a donation or apply for aid, is available at www.broadcastersfoundation.org, 212-373-8250, or info@thebfoa.org.
The mission of the Broadcasters Foundation of America is to improve the quality of life for men and women in the radio and television broadcast profession who find themselves in acute need. The Foundation reaches out across the country to identify and provide an anonymous safety net in cases of critical illness, accident, and other serious misfortune. The Broadcasters Foundation of America is a 501(c)3 Public Charity and has received four stars from Charity Navigator, its highest rating, and a Gold Seal of Transparency from Candid/Guidestar.
Media Contact for Broadcasters Foundation:
Renee Cassis
RC Communications Marketing
646-808-6505
cassis2@msn.com