Michael M. Johns, MD

Michael Johns III, MD, is passionate about medicine and about helping individuals with voice, swallowing and airway disorders — from children and teens whose vocal and airway problems affect their school and social lives to older adults experiencing the effects of normal aging. 

Prior to joining Keck Medicine of USC, Dr. Johns cofounded one of the first interdisciplinary voice centers in the United States at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. He is now director of the USC Voice Center, where he and his team members call on state-of-the-art technology for diagnosis and treatment, including awake laser therapy and vocal cord injections for age-related voice changes. In addition to care for all voice, swallowing, and airway problems, Dr. Johns and the team at the USC Voice Center offer gender-affirming voice care.

A dedicated researcher, Dr. Johns is working to advance minimally invasive treatment approaches and developing applications for novel injectable therapeutics for vocal paralysis, muscle weakness, scarring and aging.  

In his free time, he enjoys cooking, yoga and longboard surfing.