Associate Professor
Director, Voice Clinic, Minneapolis VA Medical Center
Patient Care
My primary clinical focus is the treatment of head and neck cancer. I have been able to use my interest in voice and swallowing function towards maximizing functional outcomes in this group of patients. I am also the director of the Voice Clinic at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center. This clinic is a multi-disciplinary clinic for the evaluation and treatment of voice disorders.Research
I have been involved in research of swallowing disorders for many years. My work has focused on better understanding normal swallowing physiology and the impact of disease and surgery on swallowing function. I have developed an objective method of swallowing evaluation that allows the detection of subtle changes in swallowing ability. The technique improves our diagnostic capabilities and allows tracking of response to treatment.In addition, I have performed research regarding the treatment and evaluation of diseases of the larynx. My current research projects include the development of clinical guidelines for the use of high speed laryngeal imaging in the evaluation of hoarseness. I have also studied the treatment of voice tremor with botulinum toxin injections.
Education & Training
Medical SchoolBaylor College of Medicine
Residency
University of California, Davis
Selected Publications
Leonard R, Kendall K, Eds. Dysphagia Assessment and Treatment Planning: A Team Approach revised. Pleural Publishing Group, Inc. San Diego, CA. 2007Kendall K, Leonard RJ. Bolus Transit and Airway Protection Coordination in Older Dysphagic Patients. Laryngoscope 111:2017-2021. 2001
Kendall K. Oropharyngeal Swallowing Variability. Laryngoscope 112:547-551. 2002
Kendall K, Leonard R. Videofluoroscopic Upper Esophageal Sphincter Function In Elderly Dysphagic Patients. Laryngoscope 112 (2) 332-7. 2002
Kendall K, Leonard R, McKenzie S. Sequence Variability During Hypopharyngeal Bolus Transit. Dysphagia 18:1-7. 2003
Kendall KA, Leonard RJ, McKenzie S. Airway Protection: Evaluation with Videofluoroscopy. Dysphagia 19(2):65-70. 2004
Kendall K, Leonard RJ, McKenzie S. Common Medical Conditions in the Elderly: Impact of Pharyngeal Bolus Transit. Dysphagia 19(2):71-77. 2004
Leonard RJ, Kendall KA, McKenzie S. Structural Displacements Affecting Pharyngeal Constriction in Nondysphagic Elderly and Nonelderly Adults. Dysphagia 19(2):133-141. 2004
Leonard RJ, Kendall KA, McKenzie S. UES Opening and Cricopharyneal Bar in Nondysphagic Elderly and Nonelderly Adults. Dysphagia. 2004 19(2): 133-141. 2004
Leonard RJ, Kendall KA. Effects of voice therapy on vocal process granuloma: a phonoscopic approach. Am J. Otolaryngol 26(1):45-50. 2005
Yip HT, Kendall KA, Leonard RJ. Cricopharyngeal myotomy normalizes the opening size of the upper esophageal sphincter in cricopharyngeal dysfunction. Laryngoscope.116(1):93-6. 2006
Honors and Awards
Dysphagia Research Society First Place Scientific Poster Award, 2001
Honor Award, Academy of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, 2004
Distinguished Service Award, Minnesota Speech Language Hearing Association, 2007
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Contact Information
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