Dr. Bracken is a Laryngologist, an ENT who specializes in disorders of the voice, swallow, and airway. He is the Director of UTMB Voice and Swallow services and board-certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.
He completed an advanced fellowship in Laryngology and Care of the Professional Voice at the University of California San Francisco, under the training of three Laryngologists: Drs. Clark Rosen (a U.S. leader in the field of Laryngology), VyVy
Young, and Yue Ma. He completed his ENT residency at the University of California San Diego and a year of research with the National Institutes of Health with a focus on neurolaryngology and development of non-invasive skin surface electrode
technologies for evaluation of voice and swallow activity. He graduated from the University of Texas School of Medicine in Houston and is thrilled to be back in the Houston area.
Dr. Bracken's understanding of the voice has grown from his perspectives as both a physician and a performing artist himself. He previously performed with Houston Grand Opera and has undergraduate training in vocal performance and choral education
(Sam Houston State University). This training and life experiences have led to expertise in developing treatment plans for occupational voice demands of all types, musical genres, age groups, and professional levels.
His care and treatment extend beyond the voice to full-spectrum airway and swallowing complaints as well. His surgical training includes specialization in advanced awake endoscopic procedures, laser microsurgery, delicate vocal fold microsurgery,
and throat and tracheal surgeries.
He is moved to help those struggling with consequences of prior therapy and surgery in difficult situations, and this passion focuses on optimizing and restoring quality-of-life losses from impacts of all voice, swallow, and breathing disorders.
He practices with an integrated, team-based, and patient-centered philosophy. He works hand-in-hand with UTMB’s expert Speech-Language Pathologists (voice and swallowing rehabilitation specialists). Collaborative care is critical, and
he enjoys working with other disciplines in optimizing patient care (Head and Neck Cancer Surgery, Gastroenterology, Geriatrics, Neurology, Pulmonology, Rheumatology, etc).
For Dr. Bracken, the practice of medicine is a team-based sport, and he would love to help in building your team.
During his free time, Dr. Bracken enjoys music, traveling, and hiking with his lovely wife, a pediatric occupational therapist.
Reasons for Referral
- Hoarseness / Dysphonia
- Professional Voice Care
- Benign vocal fold masses and lesions
- Chronic Cough/Throat Clearing
- Early Laryngeal Cancer / Transoral Laser Microsurgery
- Swallowing Disorders/Dysphagia
- Vocal fold weakness/paralysis
- Spasmodic Dysphonia
- Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis
- Zenker’s Diverticulum
- Chronis Aspiration/Frequent Pneumonia
- Breathing Disorders of Upper Airway/Dyspnea
- Airway stenosis
- Post-COVID 19 Airway Disorders
- Subglottic Stenosis
- Posterior Glottic Stenosis
Medical/Professional School:
University of Texas Medical School at Houston,
Houston, TX 2015
Residencies:
Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of California – San Diego
San Diego, CA, 2021
Fellowship:
Laryngology and Care of the Professional Voice, University of California - San Francisco,
San Francisco, CA, 2022
Research Fellow, National Institute of Health,
University of California – San Francisco, 2018
Certification:
Otolaryngology, American Board of Otolaryngology