
Overview
Lee Akst, M.D., specializes in treating the larynx (voicebox), in particular the treatment of voice and swallowing disorders. He is a leading laryngologist in office-based procedures such as vocal fold injection augmentation, pulsed KTP laser treatment, and laryngeal botox injection. In the operating room, Dr. Akst specializes in phonosurgery for the treatment of vocal cord disease, with emphasis on voice restoration and improvement. A strong focus of his practice involves the use of pulsed angiolytic lasers, which allow for subspecialized care of laryngeal papillomas, laryngeal dysplasia, and early vocal cord cancers while preserving the quality and strength of the voice. Dr. Akst is a national leader in the field of laryngology and serves in leadership roles for the American Laryngological Association, the American Broncho-Esophagological Association, and the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. He lectures extensively on the treatment of laryngeal disease, teaching other physicians how to care for patients with voice and swallowing concerns. His research interests include the development of robotic laryngeal surgery, the study of voice and swallowing complaints in the elderly, and the advancement of pulsed lasers for the treatment of laryngeal diseases with a focus on leukoplakia. This provider is registered with the Florida Department of Health to perform telehealth services for patients in Florida.
Dr. Akst is highly rated in 17 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Spasmodic Dysphonia, Laryngitis, Perichondritis, Endoscopy, and Laryngectomy.
His clinical research consists of co-authoring 115 peer reviewed articles. MediFind looks at clinical research from the past 15 years.
Insurance
Accepted insurance can change. Please verify directly with the provider.
Accepted insurance plans:
- EPO
- HMO
- POS
- PPO
- EPO
- HMO
- POS
- PPO
- EPO
- HMO
- POS
- PPO
- HMO
- POS
- PPO
- EPO
- HMO
- PPO
- INSURANCE PLAN
- MEDICARE PDP
- PPO
- HMO
- POS
- PPO
- HMO
- INDEMNITY
- POS
- PPO
- HMO
- MANAGED MEDICAID PLAN
- MEDICARE MAPD
- MEDICARE-MEDICAID PLAN
- OTHER MANAGED MEDICAID
- OTHER MEDICAID
- STATE MEDICAID
- HMO
- EPO
- HMO
- POS
- PPO
- EPO
- HMO
- INSURANCE PLAN
- MANAGED MEDICAID PLAN
- MEDICARE MAPD
- MEDICARE PDP
- MEDICARE SNP
- MEDICARE-MEDICAID PLAN
- OTHER MEDICARE
- OTHER MEDICARE PART D
Locations
601 North Caroline Street, Floor 6, Floor 6, Baltimore, MD 21287
10803 Falls Road, Pavilion III STE 2500, Lutherville, MD 21093
Clinical Research
Clinical research consists of overseeing clinical studies of patients undergoing new treatments and therapies, and publishing articles in peer reviewed medical journals. Providers who actively participate in clinical research are generally at the forefront of the fields and aware of the most up-to-date advances in treatments for their patients.
Johns Hopkins Outpatient Center
Head and neck surgeon David Eisele specializes in surgery for malignant and benign tumors of the head and neck, with a focus on salivary gland neoplasms and disorders of the salivary glands that can be treated surgically. He is an expert in minimally invasive surgical approaches, including sialendoscopy. Salivary gland neoplasms and disorders are also the focus of Dr. Eisele’s research. He has published more than 300 research papers and edited multiple books related to head and neck surgery. Dr. Eisele earned a medical degree from Cornell University Medical College and completed residency training in general surgery and in otolaryngology–head and neck surgery at the University of Washington. From 2012 to 2025, he served as director of the Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Dr. Eisele is highly rated in 16 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Salivary Duct Stones, Salivary Gland Tumors, Throat Cancer, Laryngectomy, and Gastrostomy.
Johns Hopkins Outpatient Center
Neurotologist John Carey specializes in the health and diseases of the inner ear that affect both balance and hearing mechanisms. He is a national expert in superior canal dehiscence syndrome, Menière’s disease, vestibular migraine, acoustic neuromas and other causes of vertigo, and serves as chief of the Division of Otology, Neurotology and Skull Base Surgery in the Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Dr. Carey earned a medical degree from Washington University School of Medicine and completed two years of training in general surgery at Virginia Mason Medical Center. This was followed by residency training in otolaryngology–head and neck surgery at University of Washington Medical Center and fellowship training in neurotology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. His research interests include superior canal dehiscence syndrome, Menière’s disease, vestibular implants, and the mechanisms of vestibular migraine. He has a particular interest in superior canal dehiscence syndrome, and, with Lloyd Minor, department director from 2003 to 2009, he helped develop the operation used to repair the superior canal. Dr. Carey has been funded by the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, part of the National Institutes of Health. He has authored or co-authored over 150 peer-reviewed publications, 10 book chapters, and 11 reviews. Dr. Carey is highly rated in 17 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Vertigo, Meniere Disease, Acoustic Neuroma, Mastoidectomy, and Endoscopy.
Johns Hopkins Outpatient Center
Christine Gourin, M.D. M.P.H., is a head and neck surgical oncologist and palliative medicine specialist who treats patients with head and neck tumors, including tumors of the skin, melanoma, oral cavity, larynx, oropharynx, neck, salivary glands, sinuses, and skull base. Dr. Gourin received her medical degree from the State University of New York-Health Science Center at Brooklyn/Downstate Medical Center. Dr. Gourin trained in General Surgery and Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Vermont, followed by a fellowship in Advanced Head and Neck Oncologic Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh and a fellowship in Hospice and Palliative Medicine at Johns Hopkins University. She has authored over 200 peer-reviewed journal articles, 24 book chapters and two books: Medical and Surgical Management of Thyroid and Parathyroid Diseases and The Johns Hopkins Patient Guide to Head and Neck Cancer. She is on the Editorial Board of The Laryngoscope and is a reviewer for numerous other head and neck surgery journals. Dr. Gourin is a nationally and internationally recognized expert in quality of care and outcomes with a lifelong interest in improved symptom management, communication, access to high-quality affordable care, and palliative medicine in head and neck cancer. She has an active head and neck surgical oncology practice and has been named to America’s Top Physicians and Best Doctors in America annually since 2005. She is the Director of the Johns Hopkins Head and Neck Cancer Supportive Care Clinic. Dr. Gourin is highly rated in 19 conditions, according to our data. Her top areas of expertise are Laryngeal Cancer, Throat Cancer, Tongue Cancer, Laryngectomy, and Gastrostomy.
Areas of Expertise
MediFind evaluates expertise by pulling from factors such as number of articles a doctor has published in medical journals, participation in clinical trials, speaking at industry conferences, prescribing and referral patterns, and strength of connections with other experts in their field.
Learn more about MediFind’s expert tiers
- Elite
- Laryngeal CancerDr. Akst isElite. Learn about Laryngeal Cancer.
- LaryngitisDr. Akst isElite. Learn about Laryngitis.
- PerichondritisDr. Akst isElite. Learn about Perichondritis.
- Spasmodic DysphoniaDr. Akst isElite. Learn about Spasmodic Dysphonia.
- Throat CancerDr. Akst isElite. Learn about Throat Cancer.
- Distinguished
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)Dr. Akst isDistinguished. Learn about Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD).
- Laryngeal Nerve DamageDr. Akst isDistinguished. Learn about Laryngeal Nerve Damage.
- Recurrent Respiratory PapillomatosisDr. Akst isDistinguished. Learn about Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis.
- Swallowing DifficultyDr. Akst isDistinguished. Learn about Swallowing Difficulty.
- Vocal Cord DysfunctionDr. Akst isDistinguished. Learn about Vocal Cord Dysfunction.
- Advanced
- Acoustic NeuromaDr. Akst isAdvanced. Learn about Acoustic Neuroma.
- Chronic CoughDr. Akst isAdvanced. Learn about Chronic Cough.
- LeukoplakiaDr. Akst isAdvanced. Learn about Leukoplakia.
- Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2)
- Painful SwallowingDr. Akst isAdvanced. Learn about Painful Swallowing.
- TracheobronchomalaciaDr. Akst isAdvanced. Learn about Tracheobronchomalacia.
- Experienced
- Acquired TracheomalaciaDr. Akst isExperienced. Learn about Acquired Tracheomalacia.
- AdenoidectomyDr. Akst isExperienced. Learn about Adenoidectomy.
- Autonomic NeuropathyDr. Akst isExperienced. Learn about Autonomic Neuropathy.
- Burning Mouth SyndromeDr. Akst isExperienced. Learn about Burning Mouth Syndrome.
- CamptocormismDr. Akst isExperienced. Learn about Camptocormism.
- ChondromaDr. Akst isExperienced. Learn about Chondroma.


