Department of Otolaryngology

Libby J. Smith, DO

  • Associate Professor, Department of Otolaryngology
  • Director of the Voice Center

Libby J. Smith, DO, FAOCO is an Associate Professor of Otolaryngology at the University of Pittsburgh Voice Center.  Dr. Smith received her undergraduate degree from the University of California, Santa Cruz.  She earned her medical degree from Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences.  She completed her otolaryngology training at Grandview-Kettering Medical Center in Dayton, Ohio.  Her fellowship in Laryngology and Care of the Professional Voice was in Philadelphia.  A board-certified otolaryngologist, Dr. Smith specializes in the care of the professional voice and the treatment of voice disorders.  Her current research activities are in vocal fold paralysis, laryngeal electromyography, and ergonomics of microlaryngeal surgery.  Her background in music and love of the larynx led her to a career in Voice.

Education & Training

  • Undergraduate: B.A. Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz
  • Medical school: Doctorate of Osteopathy, Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences, Kansas City, Missouri
  • Fellowship: Laryngology and Care of the Professional Voice, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Academic Affiliation

University of Pittsburgh School of Medicince - Department of Otolaryngology

Representative Publications

Smith LJ, Rosen CA, Niyonkuru C, Munin MC.  Quantitative electromyography improves prediction in vocal fold paralysis. Laryngoscope. 2012 Apr;122(4):854-9.

Smith LJ, Trout JM, Sridharan SS, Guyer JR, Owens GE, Chambers AJ, Rosen CA.  Comparison of Microsuspension Laryngoscopy Positions:  A Randomized, Prospective Study.  Laryngoscope. 2015 Mar;125(3):649-54

Rosen CA, Smith L, Krishna P, Young V, Muldoon MF, Munin MC. Prospective Investigation of Nimodipine for Acute Vocal Fold Paralysis. Muscle Nerve. 2014 Jul;50(1):114-8

Akbulut S, Gartner-Schmidt J, Gillespie AI, Young V, Smith LJ, Rosen CA. Voice outcomes following treatment of benign midmembranous vocal fold lesions using a nomenclature paradigm.  Laryngoscope. 2016 Feb;126(2):415-20

Statham MM, Sukits AL, Redfern MS, Smith LJ, Sok JC, Rosen CA.  Ergonomic analysis of microlaryngoscopy.  Laryngoscope. 2010 Feb;120(2):297-305.

Benninger MS, Smith LJ. Non-cosmetic Uses for Botulinum Toxin: ENT Indications, Laryngopharyngeal Dystonias and Muscle Dysfunction. Cleve Clin J Med. 2015 Nov;82(11):729-32

Young VN, Rosen CA, Smith LJ. Voice Outcomes Following Unilateral Vocal Fold Paralysis. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2013 Mar;122(3):197-204.

Gross RD, Carrau RL, Slivka WA, Gisser RG, Smith LJ, Zajac DJ, Sciurba FC. Deglutitive Subglottic Air Pressure and Respiratory System Recoil. Dysphagia, 2012 Dec; 27(4):452-459.

Young VN, Smith LJ, Sulica L, Krishna P, Rosen CA.  Patient tolerance of awake, in-office laryngeal procedures (AIOLP):  a multi-institutional perspective.  Laryngoscope. 2012 Feb;122(2):315-21.

View Dr. Smith's most current publications.

Research Interest Summary

Laryngeal Electromyography, Vocal fold paralysis, Surgical ergonomics.

Research Interests

Dr. Smith's primary area of research is the treatment of vocal fold paralysis, utilizing laryngeal EMG to guide customized patient treatment, as well as vocal fold augmentation.  Surgical ergonomics has been a passion of Dr. Smith's for years, to optimize surgeon positioning, to thus reduce musculoskeletal injury.