In 2023, the Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF OHNS) celebrated a year marked by significant accomplishments and collaborative efforts. Join us as we revisit the top highlights from UCSF OHNS.
- Funding Secured for Medical Advancements
The American Cochlear Implant Alliance awarded a grant to UCSF's Douglas Grant Cochlear Implant Center for the development of a cloud-based system addressing remote cochlear implant programming and speech perception testing - an initiative that strives to address challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
UCSF OHNS received a significant anonymous gift of $500,000. This substantial gift directly supports the research endeavors led by Patrick Ha, MD, within the Division of Head and Neck Oncologic Surgery. The funds play a crucial role in advancing foundational research through tissue banking and salary support for scientists, with a focus on assisting incoming surgeon scientists as they commence their careers.
- We inspired gender equity in medicine.
Jennifer Grandis, MD, delivered the 2023 John Conley, MD Lecture on Medical Ethics, focusing on gender equity in medicine. She emphasized bridging the gap between research and clinical practice. Her lecture, "Building and Sustaining Careers: A Gender Equity Lens," serves as a powerful call to action for achieving gender equity in science and medicine, recognizing it as vital for harnessing the full potential of a diverse workforce.
- Three skilled clinicians joined our faculty.
In February 2023, Rebecca M. Lewis, AuD, PhD, assumed the role of Chief of Audiology at UCSF OHNS and UCSF Health. Following this, in October 2023, Song Cheng, MD, joined the Division of Otology/Neurotology after completing a Fellowship Program at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary and Harvard Medical School. Concurrently, Tyler Crosby, MD, became a member of our faculty in October, joining our team at the Laryngology, Voice and Swallowing Center.
- Chief Residents successfully matched into distinguished fellowships.
In August 2023, we were proud to announce the results of the fellowship matching process for five of our talented chief residents.
- Jacqueline Harris, MD
- Tania Benjamin, MD
- Neil Patel, MD
- Sifon Ndon, MD
- Karolina Plonowska-Hirschfeld, MD
- Professor Steven W. Cheung, MD, concluded term as Academic Senate Chair
In his two-year tenure as Chair of the UCSF Academic Senate, Steven W. Cheung, MD, achieved significant milestones, including the successful recruitment of Michael Drake, MD, as President of the UC System. Dr. Cheung has played a key role in advancing gender equity, strengthening shared governance and overseeing crucial programs, and he was recently elected as Vice Chair and Chair of the UC Systemwide Senate.
- Michael Lindeborg, MD, led a collaborative research publishing in the World Health Organization Journal.
UCSF OHNS researchers, in conjunction with Harvard Medical School, published an article in the World Health Organization Journal addressing the prevention and management of hearing loss caused by ototoxic medications. The article provides a comprehensive overview of ototoxic drugs, mechanisms, types of hearing loss and guidelines for monitoring, with the goal of improving screening and treatment across various health care settings.
- Our faculty participated in various publications.
- Clark Rosen, MD, Charles Limb, MD, and Patrick Ha, MD were editors of Bailey's Textbook of Head and Neck Surgery-Otolaryngology.
- Daniel Knott, MD, Jolie Chang, MD, and Megan Durr, MD became associate editors of the Laryngoscope journal.
- Patrick Ha, MD, became editor in chief of Head and Neck, an international otorhinolaryngology journal.
Andy Goldberg, MD, MS, and Jolie Chang, MD, published a landmark paper on sleep apnea in the IFAR journal.
- We retained the Top 10 NIH Funding Rank for OHNS Departments.
UCSF OHNS proudly maintains its top 10 national ranking for NIH grant funding, securing the sixth position with nearly $7.5 million in funding.
- We welcomed new residents on Match Day 2023!
On Match Day 2023, UCSF OHNS welcomed five new residents to our esteemed academic community: Maimuna Ahmad, MD, Patrick Barba, MD, Rex Lee, MD, Arushi Gulati, MD, and Eric Kim, MD.
- Several faculty members received awards and honors in 2023, including...
- Dr. Grandis, was named the 2023 John Conley Lecturer on Medical Ethics with American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAOHNS)
- Megan Durr, MD, was inducted as a Fellow of the Triological Society.
- After receiving multiple nominations from the Class of 2023, Patrick Ha, MD, received the Excellence in Teaching for Clinical Faculty Award.
- Dr. Grandis and Daniel Johnson, PhD, received UCSF's Long-Term Mentor Award for the 2022-23 academic year.
- Clark Rosen, MD, was honored with the Distinguished Service Recognition by the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAOHNS).
- We had the opportunity to get together!
In May, members of our faculty and team attended the Combined Otolaryngology Spring Meetings 2023 in Boston. We enjoyed networking with colleagues, interacting with prospective residents, engaging in informative sessions, and showcasing our research. We look forward to the upcoming meeting in 2024!
Reflecting on the significant accomplishments and collaborative efforts of UCSF OHNS in 2023, the department experienced a year marked by innovative medical advancements and a commitment to gender equality in medicine. As we ponder these noteworthy highlights, we eagerly anticipate the forthcoming opportunities and milestones that 2024 holds for our department!
