The field of voice disorders lost a true pioneer with the passing of Dr. Cristina Jackson-Menaldi (June 21, 1950 - November 20, 2020). A renowned voice pathologist and singing voice specialist, Dr. Jackson-Menaldi made significant contributions to our understanding and treatment of voice disorders. She was also a passionate advocate for voice education and disorder prevention.

Born in Argentina, Dr. Jackson-Menaldi was a skilled pianist and conductor, directing numerous choirs and working in-house at opera houses. She received her bachelor's, master’s, and PhD degrees in her home country and then obtained a second doctoral degree at the Sorbonne, France. She knew very little English when she moved to the United States but quickly added it to her repertoire of languages (Spanish, French, Italian, German, and Portuguese). In 1991, she then became one of the founders and later directors of the Lakeshore Professional Voice Center, part of Lakeshore Ear, Nose & Throat Center in St. Clair Shores, Michigan.

In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Jackson-Menaldi was a sought-after educator and mentor. She held various honorary, adjunct, and associate staff positions at medical schools, clinics, and hospitals in Michigan and Argentina. She also established an exchange program for Latin American otolaryngology residents and speech-language pathologists highlighting her passion for mentorship. As a frequent speaker at conferences and workshops, she shared her expertise with voice professionals, educators, and public audiences around the world. She was also a tireless advocate for voice education programs in schools and other organizations with the belief that everyone should have the opportunity to learn about and protect his or her voice. In addition to her role as a clinician and educator, Dr. Jackson-Menaldi was a prolific researcher and author, publishing numerous scientific papers (view some here), book chapters, and books on voice pathology. She developed many educational resources, including books and videos. Her passion for voice education and vocal disorder prevention culminated in the publication of her book, La Voz Normal y Patologica [¹], which remains one of the most studied books in speech pathology coursework in South America.

Dr. Cristina Jackson-Menaldi will remain a prominent figure in the field of voice disorders. A brilliant clinician, a dedicated educator, and an advocate for vocal health, she had a profound impact on the lives of countless individuals and will be remembered as a true leader in our specialty. She will be missed by all those who had a chance to experience her generosity and expertise.

Cristina Jackson-Menaldi (1950-2020).