As we celebrate Pride Month, it's important to highlight individuals who are making a difference in the LGBTQ+ community through their unique skills and dedication. One such individual is Sean Uendra Moonsammy, a Guyanese American, Indo-Caribbean son of immigrants, opera singer, and voice-specializing speech-language pathologist (SLP). Sean's journey and work provide a beautiful intersection of music, medicine, and advocacy, especially for the LGBTQ+ community.
Sean's passion for voice care and treatment is deeply rooted in his own experiences. He has performed as a back-up singer for Elton John and Josh Groban, sang for the start of the U.S. Open, and even appeared on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. With a bachelor's degree in opera performance and dual master's degrees in opera and speech-language pathology from CUNY Queens College, Sean has seamlessly blended his love for singing with his dedication to speech-language pathology.
During his clinical fellowship at Stony Brook University Hospital on Long Island, Sean focused on upper-airway disorders and dysphagia, using his extensive knowledge of the physiology of singing. Now a staff member at the same medical center, he treats vocal cord injuries, a topic often stigmatized in the world of professional singers, especially those classically trained in opera. The myth that vocal injuries result from poor technique is something Sean is working hard to dispel.
About half of Sean's patients are singers. He collaborates closely with laryngologist Keith Chadwick, who is also a singer, and other medical staff at the hospital's voice clinic. They operate as an interprofessional group, meeting with patients together to provide comprehensive care and learn from each other. This collaborative approach ensures that patients receive well-rounded care and that providers can continuously improve their practice.
In a groundbreaking initiative, Sean and Keith launched Long Island's first interdisciplinary gender-affirming voice clinic. They recognized the need for specialized care for transgender and non-binary individuals seeking voice therapy. To ensure a respectful and safe environment, they arranged for staff LGBTQ+ sensitivity training, a crucial step in making their clinic inclusive and welcoming.
Sean's background and experiences have uniquely positioned him to be an advocate for both singers and the LGBTQ+ community. Reflecting on his journey, Sean shares, "My parents are from Guyana, so letting their son major in opera performance came with great hesitance—they didn't even know what opera was. I ended up singing back-up for Elton John, who they knew, so they gave me their blessing after that!â€
Being an SLP has not only enhanced Sean's skills as a voice teacher and performer but has also fueled his advocacy efforts. "This is a time where social stigmas are being revealed and dispelled—it should be the same for the voice. I hope my power as an SLP can help me do more of that,†he says.
Despite his busy schedule, Sean continues to sing every day, as about 50% of his caseload consists of singers. His dual roles allow him to stay connected to his passion for music while making a significant impact in the medical field.
Before opening the gender voice clinic, Sean and Keith meticulously prepared to ensure that patients receive the proper care they deserve. They have documentation ready to fight insurance denials if necessary and strive to provide patients with actionable information during each evaluation. "I also aim to provide as much information as possible in each evaluation, so patients walk out with at least one thing to practice before our first session,†Sean explains.
Sean Uendra Moonsammy's work is a testament to the power of combining passion with profession. His contributions to voice care, especially for the LGBTQ+ community, are invaluable. As we honor Pride Month, let's celebrate individuals like Sean who are making a difference one voice at a time.
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