David A. Opperman, M.D.

 

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE 

Colorado Voice Clinic, Denver, CO 
2007-present 
Founder and CEO 

Colorado Voice Clinic utilizes the most advanced diagnostic equipment, including videostroboscopy and laser technology, to treat voice and laryngeal diseases, particularly in patients who work in the entertainment industry. 

• Highly trained in the latest Otolaryngology techniques, founding physician David Opperman provides caring treatment, clear communication with patients and informative updates to primary care physicians regarding patient diagnoses and treatment plans.

• Patients include performers, politicians, television anchors, public speakers and attorneys.

Global Voice Care, Littleton, CO 
2007-present 
Founder and CEO 

FX Training, LLC, Littleton, CO 
2002-present 
Co-founder, Central Region Director 

Pyrotechnics Guild International, Inc. 
1998-2000 
Chairperson, Committee for the Development of Proximate Pyrotechnic Certification Course 

Flash Point Entertainment, Inc., Littleton, CO 
1996-present 
Founder and CEO 

BOARD AFFILIATIONS

 

 

• American Board of Otolaryngology, Diplomat, 2007-present 

• Porter Robotics Institute, Denver, CO, Board member 

• ImThera Medical, San Diego, CA, Medical advisory board 

GENERAL AFFILIATIONS
 

Affiliated with top-notch hospitals in Colorado and California, including Porter Adventist Hospital, Rose Medical Center, Swedish Medical Center, Sky Ridge Medical Center, Craig Hospital, Select Specialty Hospital and Spalding Rehabilitation Hospital in CO and UCLA Medical Centers in Los Angeles and Santa Monica, CA. 

Member of several professional organizations, including: 

• American Academy of Otolaryngology, Member, 2002-present 

• Hobart Amory Hare Honor Medical Society, Member, 1999-present 

• Pyrotechnic Guild International, Inc., Safety/Fire and Medical Response Team, Member, 1992-2001 

• Voice Foundation, Supporting member, present 

• Academy of Magical Arts, Associate member, 2006-present 

EDUCATION 

UCLA, Los Angeles 
Fellowship in Laryngology and Disorders of the Voice, Department of Head and Neck Surgery, 2006-2007 
Conducted research and worked in a clinical setting during a yearlong fellowship. Focus areas included Laryngology, neurolaryngology and care of the professional voice. 

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, Minneapolis 
Earned a Master of Science in Otolaryngology, 2006 
Resident, Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, 2002-2006 

• Trained under the direction of Dr. George L. Adams.

• Leading a team of three co-investigators, recorded and analyzed acoustic and videostroboscopic data obtained from a group of 20 professional dinner theater performers.

• Leading a team of two co-investigators, tracked impact of vocal injuries in performing artists for use in resolving issues related to vocal fatigue and vocal overuse.

INTERN, Department of General Surgery, 2001-2002 
Studied general surgery, patient care and operating room procedures. 

JEFFERSON MEDICAL COLLEGE, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia 
Earned a Doctor of Medicine, 2001 
Graduated in the top 25 percent of the class 

TUFTS UNIVERSITY, Medford, MA 
Earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology, 1996 
Graduated Cum Laude 

WILLAMETTE UNIVERSITY, Salem, OR 
Studied general coursework, 1992-1993 

AWARDS & RECOGNITION 
Paparella Award from the International Hearing Foundation, Inc. in recognition of 
superior research in otology, 2006 

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE 
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, Minneapolis 2001-2006 
Principal Investigator, Department of Otolaryngology 
Conducted two grant-funded research projects: "Stroboscopic and Acoustic Analysis with Observations in Professional Dinner Theater Singers" and "Spontaneous Hearing Threshold Shifts in Concert Attendees." 

• The dinner theater singers project involved acquiring and designing an acoustic and videostroboscopic databank for further research within the department.

• The concert research resulted in the publication: Opperman, David A. "Hearing Loss in the Modern Concert Environment." Thesis (M.S.)誘niversity of Minnesota, 2006.

THOMAS JEFFERSON UNIVERSITY, Philadelphia 1997-2001 
Research Assistant 
Working in Jefferson Medical College, under the direction of Robert T. Sataloff, M.D., D.M.A., conducted research on chemotherapy's effects on the voice, which resulted in the manuscript: Opperman, David A., Solimando, Jr., Dominic A., M.A. Pharm. D.; Sataloff, Robert T., M.D.; D.M.A.; "Cancer Chemotherapy: An Overview and Voice Implications." National Association of Teachers of Singing, Journal of Singing, Vol. 56, No. 3, pp. 57-60. 1999. 

TUFTS UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE, Boston 1995-1996 
Research Assistant 
Under the advisement of Peak Woo, M.D., researched the biomechanics of the canine larynx, which resulted in the publication of: J. Pieter Noordzij, David A. Opperman, Donald F. Perrault, Jr., and Peak Woo, "The Biomechanics of the Medialization Laryngoplasty (Thyroplasty Type 1) in an ex vivo Canine Model." Journal of Voice, Vol. 12, No. 3, pp. 372-382. Singular Publishing Group. 1998. 

WILBUR JAMES GOULD VOICE RESEARCH CENTER, Denver 1994 
Research Assistant 
Under the direction of Ronald Scherer, Ph.D., performed voice research, including work on a wax model of a 12-year-old larynx. 

PUBLICATIONS 

Goates, Jeffrey J., Metzdorff, Mark T., Musani, Ali I., Opperman, David A., and Seaman, Joseph C., "Tracheal Paraganglioma: An Unusual Neoplasm of the Upper Airway." Annals of Thoracic Surgery May 2012: 1717+. 

Craig, Crystal A., Hawkshaw, Mary J., Opperman, David A., and Sataloff, Robert T., "Pyrotechnics in the entertainment industry: an update." Journal of Singing 67.3 (2011): 303+. 

Hart, Catherine, Opperman, David A., Gulbahce, Evin, and Adams, George, "Branchial cleft cyst: A rare diagnosis in a 91-year-old patient." Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery 135.6 (2006): 955+. 

Levine, Samuel, Opperman, DA, Reifman W., and Schlauch, R. "Incidence of spontaneous hearing threshold shifts during modern concert performances." Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery 134.4 (2006): 667+. 

Dave A. Opperman, M.D., assisted in the compilation of Display Operator Certification Study Guide, edited by John Steinberg, M.D. and Michael S. Swisher. Pyrotechnics Guild International, Inc. Edition: August 2003. 

Mattingly, J. Larry, Opperman, David A., and Pilkerton, Francis "Pinky", "Proximate Special Effects: Familiarization and Safety." American Fireworks News, 2002. 

David A. Opperman, M.D., assisted in the creation of the following: Friedman, Oren and Edmund A. Pribitkin. "Papillary carcinoma in a thyroglossal duct remnant. (Clinical Challenges in Otolaryngology)." Archives of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery Apr. 2002: 461+. 

Opperman, David A., Solimando, Jr., Dominic A., M.A. Pharm. D.; Sataloff, Robert T., M.D.; D.M.A.; "Cancer Chemotherapy: An Overview and Voice Implications." National Association of Teachers of Singing, Journal of Singing, Vol. 56, No. 3, pp. 57-60. 1999. 

Noordzij, J. Pieter, Opperman, David A, Perrault, Jr., Donald F., and Woo, Peak, "The Biomechanics of the Medialization Laryngoplasty (Thyroplasty Type 1) in an ex vivo Canine Model." Journal of Voice, Vol. 12, No. 3, pp. 372-382. Singular Publishing Group. 1998. 

Opperman, David A, contributing author of two chapters: "Pyrotechnics in the Entertainment Industry: An Overview" and "Cancer Chemotherapy: An Overview and Voice Implications" (with Solimando, Jr., Dominic A. and Sataloff, Robert Thayer) published in Professional Voice, The Science and Art of Clinical Care, 3rd ed., three-volume set, edited by Robert T. Sataloff, M.D., D.M.A., July 2005. 

PRESENTATIONS

Oral presentations 
"Pediatric ENT Emergencies" and "Spasmodic Dysphonia." Grand Rounds, Department of Otolaryngology, University of Colorado, January 2012. 

"Endoscopic Evaluation and Injections for Voice and Swallow Disorders in Neurological Patients." Spalding Rehabilitation Hospital, Aurora, CO, Jan. 21, 2010. 

"Incidence of Spontaneous Hearing Threshold Shifts During Modern Concert Performances." Minnesota Academy of Otolaryngology Midwinter Conference, Minneapolis, Jan. 21, 2006. 

"Incidence of Spontaneous Hearing Threshold Shifts During Modern Concert Performances." American Academy of Otolaryngology, Los Angeles, Sept. 26, 2005, with William Reifman, NPPA; Robert S. Schlauch, Ph.D.; Samuel C. Levine, M.D. 

"Incidence of Abnormal Strobovideolaryngoscopic - Findings in Dinner Theater Performers." Voice Foundation's 33rd annual symposium: Care of the Professional Voice, Philadelphia, June 2-6, 2004, with William Reifman, NPPA; Deirdre D Michael, CCC/SLP; George S Goding Jr., M.D. 

"Association of Laryngopharyngeal Reflux with Exposure to Anhydrous Ammonia." Otolaryngology Grand Rounds, University of Minnesota, September 2003. 

"Pediatric Facial Nerve Schwannoma." Facial Nerve Subcommittee of the American Academy of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery Foundation 2003 annual meeting, Orlando, FL, Sept. 21-24, 2003, with Samuel C. Levine, M.D. 

"Facial Nerve Schwannoma: A Pediatric Case report in an 18-month-old." Otology Grand Rounds, University of Minnesota, March 2003. 

"The Biomechanics of the Medialization Laryngoplasty (Thyroplasty Type 1) in an ex vivo, Canine Model." Voice Foundation's 25th annual symposium: Care of the Professional Voice and the International Association of Phonosurgeons' 4th International Symposium on Phonosurgery, Philadelphia, June 8, 1996, with J. Pieter Noordzij, Donald F. Perrault, Jr., Peak Woo. 

Poster Presentations 
"Association of Laryngopharyngeal Reflux with Exposure to Anhydrous Ammonia." Voice Foundation's 33rd annual symposium: Care of the Professional Voice, Philadelphia, June 2-6, 2004, with Erik P. Severson, B.A.; Frank Ondrey, M.D., Ph.D. 

"Facial Nerve Schwannoma: A Pediatric Case Report in an 18-Month-Old." Triological Society, 107th annual meeting, Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa, Phoenix, April 30-May 3, 2004, with Francis L. Hobson, M.D.; Eric Nussbaum, M.D.; and Samuel Levine, M.D. 

"Association of Laryngopharyngeal Reflux with Exposure to Anhydrous Ammonia." American Academy of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery Foundation 2003 annual meeting, Orlando, FL, Sept. 21-24, 2003, with Erik P. Severson, B.A.; Frank Ondrey, M.D., Ph.D. 

IN THE NEWS 
"25 reasons the Denver music scene rules" By Dave Herrera Westword, January 30, 2013. 

"Speak up! The Colorado Voice Clinic thinks every person has the right to be heard." By Dave Herrera Westword, July 15, 2009. 

Bloom, Sara. "New hearing conservation initiatives: small steps with great potential." The Hearing Journal Jan. 2006: 23+. 

"Noisy toys: annoying or harmful?" Sight & Sounds, Winter 2005-2006. 

"Protect Your Hearing At Concerts." Echoes - The Children's Hearing Institute, Autumn 2005. 

"World Voice Day," Channel 9 News, Denver.