Patient Ambassadors - Atos Medical

Steve is a lifelong resident of the state of Maryland. He is married to his wife Robin, whom he met in high school over 49 years ago. They have three adult children who all live nearby in Washington DC. Steve had his laryngectomy surgery in February of 2019 and a secondary puncture with tracheoesophageal voice prosthesis (TEP) placement in September 2019. Post-laryngectomy, he has been able to continue his career as owner/manager of a wholesale food brokerage business. Steve began volunteering just a few months after that first surgery in June 2019 by working with the organization WebWhispers to mail safety alert kits. Since then, he has embraced the laryngectomy community and volunteers with many organizations.

Here is a bit about Steve in his own words: “My first ‘official’ peer-to-peer patient visit was at the request of my SLP in December 2019. Because of the early help and ongoing mentoring that I received from many of the wonderful members of the laryngectomee community, I have been instilled with a heartfelt desire to assist other laryngectomees or family members in any way that I can. I wanted to participate in the Atos Patient Ambassador program because I feel they are a good company, and I am honored to be able to be a part of their outreach to help others in the community. Additionally, I’ve found that Atos is genuinely interested in hearing ‘our stories’, in an effort to improve the products, services and outreach that they provide. I have met with many new laryngectomees or patients that are about to have this life changing surgery and always find this to be a very rewarding experience.”

“Above all, my advice is to find support groups and get connected with another laryngectomee. It will be one of the most important things you can do to help your recovery. Take it one day at a time, appreciate the advances, don’t dwell on the setbacks. For spouses and family members, be patient and understanding. Join a support group as well, so you can understand the issues and emotions a laryngectomee must deal with. Be forgiving and understanding; we often take out our feelings on the ones that are closest to us.”

Anthony Augustine Talmich was born in Pueblo, Colorado in 1957. Being the youngest of seven siblings, his easy going nature and ready smile came in handy. In high school, his family moved to Colorado Springs where Tony spent his spare time playing football and honing his drum skills. After playing with several local bands, Tony joined The USO Band and traveled the country entertaining on military bases. Later, he migrated to South Florida where musical opportunities were in abundance. Tony not only played drums but sang with a variety of bands.

In mid-January of 1990, he developed a serious case of laryngitis which ultimately brought him to an ER where he was diagnosed with throat cancer. Tony's doctor said that Tony was one of only two emergency laryngectomy surgeries that he performed in his entire career. On January 24, 1990, Tony lost his ability to speak with no time to prepare physically or emotionally. Since he never smoked cigarettes, he attributed his cancer to secondhand smoke from all the clubs and music venues where he performed.

Tony quickly recovered and immediately mastered speech with an electrolarynx (EL). This came easy to him due to his youth and musical orientation. He also practiced endlessly until he had mastered esophageal speech. Tony spent a lot of time speaking to high school students about the dangers of smoking in addition to working with people new to laryngectomy by teaching them to speak with an EL.

Tony’s musical career continued to soar after his surgery. He worked with a world renowned Elvis impersonator, a Jersey Boys Tribute band and several well-known oldies bands including The Crests (“Sixteen Candles”).

Recently, Tony has been experimenting with singing again and has posted several of his accomplishments on YouTube for your listening pleasure. He and his wife have also relocated to Connecticut where they are residing in a charming and vibrant community. He is a member of a local rock band, The Jam Factory, who were extremely active until the pandemic hit and are expecting to be active again soon. For many years, Tony has been supporting others around the world in learning how to use their electrolarynx.

Joe Mulligan grew up in Phoenix, Arizona. After a few years in college, he enlisted in the U.S. Army where he qualified as an airframe and turbine engine specialist. He was then sent to Europe to serve in a company that provided aviation support to US Army attachés to foreign countries. During his time there, he enjoyed traveling through Europe and returned with over 5,000 hours of filmed memories.

Returning to Phoenix, Joe worked in the aerospace industry as a technician overhauling turbine engines damaged in Vietnam. In January of 1969, Joe got married and also returned to college where he earned a bachelor’s degree from ASU School of Engineering in the aerospace field. As an aerospace engineer, Joe worked on various projects from the first Martian Lander (NASA Viking Project) and NASA Skylab, as well as secret Titan missile projects for the US Air Force.

During this time, Joe started the first of many ventures in entrepreneurship including a small photographic company using a unique developing process he invented. After moving to Texas to start a real estate development company with an old friend from his military days, he established numerous, varied companies in construction, entertainment, marketing and even a scientific testing laboratory where he worked with many prestigious firms.

In 2015, Joe was diagnosed with larynx cancer. He had a laryngectomy in August of that year. Through participation in MyLife Events, he found his next calling in his life. He calls it, “stretching one’s soul,” and it refers to the special feeling he gets when he is able to help other people who have or will have laryngectomy surgery by answering questions, quelling fears, providing prosthetic education and giving tips for living life after laryngectomy.

Ever the entrepreneur, Joe continues to work on marketing his inventions including a unique bath brush, a protective cinch for carpenters and machine operators, unique playground equipment for kids, and more. In his free time, Joe enjoys target practice at the local range, exercising with free weights, and visiting his grandkids. He is also very proud of his three, intelligent and successful daughters: one is a human resources professional, one is a registered nurse and one is an astrophysicist