Message From the Chair
As Fall 2023 arrives, I want to highlight aspects of the department’s portfolio that may be news to you. The department is undergoing significant growth. First, our department now has very active practices in multispecialty environments in Berkeley (Go Bears!) and in Redwood Shores. These sites also have ambulatory surgery centers associated with them which will open in ‘24/’25. Both sites offer otolaryngologic allergy practices anchored by Anna Butrymowicz, MD at Berkeley and Patricia Loftus, MD at Redwood Shores. We offer a range of otolaryngology expertise at these sites including rhinology/skull base surgery, pediatric OHNS, otology, and facial plastic surgery. The Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center has a presence in Berkeley which provides excellent access for patients who are coming from the East Bay. The Chancellor recently announced an initiative where UCSF is in active negotiations with Dignity Health to purchase hospitals for UCSF. Why? Our hospitals are filled to capacity- always. Even with our new hospital build which is proceeding on time for a 2030 occupancy, UCSF will need more space to provide optimal care for patients. It is an extremely exciting endeavor to participate in this significant growth. And our Mission Bay construction program continues. Our new Bayfront building just down the street from the Golden State Warriors Chase Center will open on time and on budget in August of 2024. This facility has a 16 room ambulatory surgery center and it will have a new OHNS practice on the fourth floor.
The department remains ranked #6 in the nation in NIH funding according to the Blue Ridge method and the residency is ranked #6 by Doximity. But what actually matters is the culture of our team. We have amazingly accomplished residents who have fantastic career opportunities when they graduate. That is because our faculty value education and prioritize the residency in all of our practices and projects. Check out the work of Matt Spitzer, PhD who is mentoring Kathy Wai, MD in his immunology laboratory. Megan Durr, MD is our new leader at ZSFG as Interim Chief of Service who has just opened our new research offices at Pride Hall- the first new research facility to be opened at ZSFG in many years.
Finally, I want to highlight the achievements of a few faculty members: Congratulations to Andy Goldberg, MD who is the President of the Triological Society. Congratulations to Patrick Ha, MD who is now Editor-in-Chief of the journal, Head and Neck. Congratulations to Megan Durr, MD, Jolie Chang, MD, and Daniel Knott, MD who are section editors of Laryngoscope. Congratulations to Jennifer Grandis, MD who is the 2023 John Conley, MD Lecturer on Medical Ethics at this year’s Academy meeting. Congratulations to Clark Rosen, MD on being the editor of the newly released Bailey’s Head and Neck Surgery textbook along with Charles Limb, MD and Patrick Ha, MD who were section editors within our department. Congratulations to Steven Cheung, MD who is the Vice President of the UC Academic Senate.
And I hope to see you at one of our upcoming courses: the UCSF Otolaryngology Update at the Hotel Nikko in San Francisco November 9-11, the Pacific Rim Otolaryngology Update in Honolulu, Hawaii February 17-24, or the 29th Diagnosis and Treatment of Sleep Apnea course in San Francisco February 16-17, 2024.
Warmly,
Andrew H. Murr, MD, FACS
Professor and Chair
UCSF Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery