The Florida Laryngectomee Association (FLA) was founded in 1952. It was established by a group of physicians and other professionals who were concerned about and involved in the rehabilitation of persons whose voices had been lost due to laryngeal cancer. Dr. Nathaniel Levin and his wife, Sylvia K. Levin were credited with founding the organization. The group met at the Biscayne Terrace Hotel in Miami, Florida. There were several laryngectomees present who had developed proficient speech using various methods. Each person spoke of the experience of having lost a voice and relearning communication. They all concurred that support from others was vital in their rehabilitation. They also agreed that resources were not available and needed to be developed for new laryngectomees and their families. In April 1952 a charter for incorporation of the “Florida Laryngectomees Association”, Inc. was drawn up by Alan King (a laryngectomized, practicing attorney) and registered in the Circuit Court of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida in and for Dade County. The IAL was
formed later that same year.
Since its inception, the FLA has held Annual Meetings, periodic social gatherings as well publishing a Newsletter. The organization has historically run on a low budget. It is estimated that Florida has just under3000 laryngectomees. In 1982 the Florida Laryngectomee Speech Institute was conceived. The two main founders were Dr. Robert King and Mrs. Jeanetta Jones. The FLA’s Voice Institute (as subsequently named) was always encouraged by the American Cancer Society who continues to provide grants to assist financial1y needy laryngectomees in attending the FLA’s Annual Meetings for speech evaluations and training.
The Voice Institute of the FLA continued from 1983 thru 2000 and with the leadership and help from its Director of Education, Robert E. (Ed) Stone, PhD CCC-SLP, became the longest – running such program outside the IAL Voice Institutes. In 2001-2002 the FLA conducted an educational program to provide continuing education for professionals in most head and neck cancers in addition to that of Laryngectomees. Dr Stone was designated as the Director of Education for this new FLA venture, the FLA’s Head and Neck Cancer Course. It was later discontinued due to sparse attendance. In 2002 we lost Mrs. Jeanette Jones. We remembered her in a “moment of reflection” at the FLA Golden Anniversary Annual Meeting Banquet, October 26, 2002. Sylvia K. Levin, the only surviving co-founder, and son Barry Levin attended this banquet as FLA honored guests.
In 2006 we developed the Vic Baird Grduate Student Program (VBGSP) for Florida university speech-language pathology graduate students with Dr. Ed Stone as the Director of Education.
Dr. Ed Stone who served as Director of Education for the FLA for 23 years submitted his resignation to be effective at the finish of the 2008 VBGSP session. Dr. Jeff Searl was chosen and accepted the postion of Director of Education upon Dr. Stone's resignation.