December 23, 2025
Category:
The Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF OHNS) has had a busy year. Explore some of the top moments of 2025!
- We welcomed our incoming residents on Match Day!
In March, we were excited to find out which five medical school students would continue their careers here at UCSF OHNS: Ana Araujo, Lauren Tucker, Melissa White, Sophie Yu and Connie Zhou. - Tokunbo Ayeni, MD, returns to UCSF!
Dr. Ayeni earned his medical degree from the UCSF through the Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP) with the United States Air Force. After completing his residency, he returned to UCSF to join OHNS and remains commited to medical student and resident education, as well as providing comprehensive otolaryngologic care. - We welcomed new fellows!
In June, four new fellows joined for the 2025-2026 year: Autefeh Sajjadi, MD, Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery; Jennifer Silver, MD, Laryngology; Weston Niermeyer, MD, Head and Neck; and Rajas Tipnis, MD, Pediatrics. - The UCSF OHNS chief residents offer thanks and gratitude.
Our chief residents, Jacquelyn Callander, MD, Danielle Gillard, MD, Michael Lindeborg, MD, Spenser Souza, MD, and Shayan Fakurnejad, MD, conclude their residencies. As a final send-off, they offer memorable insights, thank mentors and advise the next generation. - Jennifer Grandis, MD, and Daniel Johnson, PhD, contributed to translational cancer research in Cancer Cell.
Drs. Grandis and Johnson published groundbreaking research in Cancer Cell on oral cancer in cats. They found that 35% of cats treated with the new STAT3 inhibitor had their disease controlled, all with minimal side effects. Their findings were covered in the San Francisco Chronicle, NBC Bay Area, KCBS, KTVU, KCRA, UC Davis, the Good News network and Genetic Engineering News. - We welcomed accomplished clinicians to our faculty.
Michael Chow, MD, and Scott Hirsch, MD, joined the UCSF OHS team. Dr. Chow will help lead innovation in head and neck cancers and Dr. Hirsch joined the pediatric team. - UCSF OHNS Provides Free Cancer Screenings to Over 100 Community Members
- Stephen Pletcher, MD, was highlighted in a profile.
Dr. Pletcher, professor and director of the UCSF OHNS resident program, discussed a day-in-the-life as he manages urgent and emergent issues, often involving patients with complex head and neck diseases, in "Step into the Shoes of UCSF OHNS's Steven Pletcher, MD." - Many faculty presented at the Triological Society Combined Sections Meeting
The Triological Society Combined Section Meeting in Orlando, FL, had an enriched academic program, featuring industry talks and lively discussions. Andrew Murr, MD, Andrew Goldberg, MD, MS, Jasmeet Saroya, Megan Durr, MD, P. Daniel Knott, MD, VyVy Young, MD, and medical students Amrita Bhat, Nina Pateland Tiffany Husman all gave poster presentations, talks and moderated panels. - We celebrated women in otolaryngology!
In March, we celebrated Women in Otolaryngology Day to honor the remarkable contributions of women otolaryngologists who are shaping the future of medicine. Their leadership, expertise and advocacy inspire future generations.
We are excited to continue our work in 2026!
