Announcements

UCSF Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Earns High Performing Rating in U.S. News Best Hospitals

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 20:47:16 +0000

UCSF Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Earns High Performing Rating in U.S. News Best Hospitals

yasmine.castan… Tue, 08/04/2026 - 13:47

We're proud to share that University of California, San Francisco Health has once again been named to the U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals Honor Roll, recognizing it among the nation's top hospitals.

As part of this achievement, UCSF Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery was rated High Performing—a reflection of our team's commitment to delivering exceptional, patient-centered care and advancing innovation in otolaryngology. Congratulations to our outstanding faculty, trainees, nurses, and staff on this well-deserved recognition!

Please Welcome Our New Fellowship Coordinator, Bonnie Tom

Fri, 24 Jul 2026 17:34:56 +0000

Please Welcome Our New Fellowship Coordinator, Bonnie Tom

Announcements

yasmine.castan… Fri, 07/24/2026 - 10:34

Meet our new Fellowship Coordinator, Bonnie Tom!

Bonnie is excited to be joining UCSF after previously working at UC Berkeley, where she was recognized for driving program development for a new undergraduate major. Bonnie is also passionate about wellness and served as a Wellness Ambassador, delivering workshops on burnout prevention to faculty, staff and graduate students. She hopes to bridge her passion for wellness and her experience in navigating institutional regulations and streamlining processes to create an exceptional and supportive environment for the OHNS fellows and the department.

Outside of work, Bonnie enjoys playing volleyball, trying new coffee and boba shops, and spending time with her family.

Please be sure to say hello when you see her!

UCSF OHNS Chief Residents Reflect on Residency and Share Advice

Anonymous — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 18:38:21 +0000

UCSF OHNS Chief Residents Reflect on Residency and Share Advice

Announcements

Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 06/30/2026 - 11:38

Our chief residents, Drs. Alyssa Civantos, Taylor Standiford Erickson, Edgar Ochoa, Evan Patel, and Ana Marija Sola, are concluding their residencies at the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF OHNS). Hear about their memorable lessons and mentors at UCSF OHNS, the advice they have for the rising chief residents, and what comes next.

Alyssa Civantos, MD, MS

Caring for patients is truly a team effort, and that is one of the most meaningful lessons Dr. Civantos is carrying with her from UCSF. Working alongside an interdisciplinary team reinforced for her that the best outcomes come from many people coming together around a shared goal. Understanding each patient's unique circumstances, values, and challenges is central to that work.

When it comes to mentors, she has had no shortage of exceptional ones. "I am very grateful to Dr. Megan Durr, Dr. Jolie Chang, Dr. Mary Jue Xu, and Dr. Patrick Ha for helping shape my clinical and research interests and for serving as inspiring role models," she shares.

Her advice to the rising chief residents is grounded and warmhearted. "Lean on your co-residents and don't feel like you have to carry every challenge alone. Support one another, celebrate the wins (big or small), and remember that residency goes by much faster than you think."

During residency, Dr. Civantos developed research interests in quality improvement and expanding access to care, work she plans to carry forward. She will pursue fellowship in Endocrine Head and Neck Surgery at Stanford University under the mentorship of Dr. Lisa Orloff, where she looks forward to developing expertise in advanced endocrine surgery and ultrasound techniques.

Taylor Standiford Erickson, MD

Dr. Standiford Erickson's most memorable lesson from UCSF is one that can apply far beyond medicine. "You can learn something from everyone — if you haven't yet, you're simply not looking closely enough."

She credits a wide circle of mentors for shaping her path toward rhinology, including the rhinology and skull base surgery attendings Drs. Pletcher, Loftus, Gurrola, Goldberg, and El-Sayed, as well as Drs. Chang, Durr, and Rosbe, whom she describes as "amazing role models both in my career and in life."

For those stepping into chief year, her advice is to embrace every moment with full commitment. "Soak it all up! The days are long, but it truly does fly by. Walk into all your cases and clinical encounters as if you are the attending because in just a short time you will be!"

Dr. Standiford Erickson plans to continue her work in medical education research, including ongoing collaboration with the ACGME to explore how competency is defined and measured in OHNS trainees. She will pursue fellowship in Rhinology and Skull Base Surgery at Mass Eye and Ear, where she is especially looking forward to working with Stacey Gray, who has already served as a mentor and role model to her.

Edgar Ochoa, MD

Humility is the lesson Dr. Ochoa is taking with him. Training across UCSF's diverse clinical environments taught him that no matter how much experience you gain, there is always more to learn from patients, colleagues, and the many members of the healthcare team who contribute to care every day.

He is deeply grateful to the full UCSF faculty, and names several who were especially formative. Dr. Marika Russell sparked his early interest in Otolaryngology. Dr. William Ryan encouraged his growth and opened doors at an important stage of training. Drs. Chang, Pletcher, Knott, and Park played a significant role in his development as a surgeon, educator, and investigator, ultimately informing his decision to pursue facial plastic and reconstructive surgery.

His advice to the incoming chiefs speaks to both confidence and humility. "Trust yourself and enjoy the year. By the time you've reached chief year, you've already developed the skills and judgement needed to lead effectively." He also highlights the responsibility that comes with the role. "One of your most important responsibilities as chief is to invest in the success of those around you. Invest in your co-residents and students, create opportunities for them to grow, and help them feel more confident and capable."

Dr. Ochoa's research interests center on surgical and quality-of-life outcomes, with a particular focus on incorporating patient-reported outcome measures into clinical practice. He will pursue fellowship in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the University of Colorado under the mentorship of Drs. Winkler, Terella, Ferril, and Wei, where he looks forward to developing skills across the full spectrum of reconstructive and aesthetic facial plastic surgery.

Evan Patel, MD

For Dr. Patel, the most lasting lesson from UCSF is that the best physicians are not only skilled surgeons, but also thoughtful collaborators, educators, and advocates for their patients. His time here reinforced that clinical excellence and compassion are not separate pursuits. They go hand in hand.

He is especially grateful to the Neurotology division, including Drs. Limb, Cheung, Sharon, Cheng, and Jiam, for their guidance and support in preparing him for fellowship.

His advice to the rising chiefs is direct and patient-centered. "Savor the last year of residency, be a team player, and be deliberate with your clinical and surgical growth. When in doubt think of what would be best for the patient."

Dr. Patel plans to continue investigating auditory outcomes following cochlear implantation and other hearing rehabilitation technologies, while also leveraging advanced imaging to characterize lateral skull base pathology. He will pursue Neurotology Fellowship at NYU under the mentorship of Drs. Sean McMenomey and J. Thomas Roland, and is excited to hone his surgical skills at a high-volume lateral skull base center.

Ana Marija Sola, MD

Dr. Sola is leaving UCSF with a conviction that the most effective physicians are lifelong learners who approach every patient encounter with curiosity, humility, and a commitment to continual improvement.

She reflects warmly on the mentorship she received throughout training. "Every attending I have worked with has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to education and to cultivating surgeons who are both technically excellent and deeply devoted to their patients." She offers particular gratitude to Dr. Dylan Chan and Dr. Charles Limb, who she says profoundly influenced her passion for hearing health, innovation, and lifelong learning.

Her advice to the rising chief residents is concise and confident. "Trust your intuition. You've nurtured it with an abundance of experiences and hard work."

During residency, Dr. Sola's research spanned pediatric hearing loss, wearable technologies, cochlear implant imaging, and public health. This breadth reflects her interest in exploring hearing health from clinical, technological, and population-based perspectives. She will pursue Neurotology fellowship at Stanford University, a field she describes as perfectly combining her interests, whether spent at the microscope or helping patients navigate challenges related to hearing and balance.

Join us in congratulating our chief residents as they conclude their time at UCSF OHNS and embark on the next chapter of their careers.

Evan Patel, Taylor Erickson, Edgar Ochoa, Dr. Andrew Murr, Alyssa Civantos, Ana Marija Sola

Edgar Ochoa, Ana Marija Sola, Alyssa Civantos, Program Director and Francis Sooy Award for Clinical Excellence winner Dr. Steven Pletcher, Evan Patel, Taylor Erickson

UCSF’s Michael Merzenich, PhD Honored with 2026 Merkin Prize in Biomedical Technology

Tue, 16 Jun 2026 01:33:13 +0000

UCSF’s Michael Merzenich, PhD Honored with 2026 Merkin Prize in Biomedical Technology

Announcements

Caroline.Schlo… Mon, 06/15/2026 - 18:33

UCSF Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery is pleased to announce that Michael Merzenich, PhD, professor emeritus, has been named a 2026 recipient of the Richard N. Merkin Prize in Biomedical Technology.

Merzenich is being honored for foundational contributions to the development of the modern cochlear implant, a breakthrough technology that has restored hearing to more than one million people worldwide and is described by the prize as the first medical device to generate a human sense through a direct neural interface. He shares the award with Graeme Clark, Erwin Hochmair, Ingeborg Hochmair, and Blake Wilson.

Beginning in the early 1970s, Merzenich and colleagues at UCSF helped establish the neurophysiologic basis for cochlear implant design. Their work included studies of device safety, patterned electrical stimulation, intracochlear electrode arrays, and implanted multiple-channel electrode drivers. The UCSF team also conducted some of the earliest clinical trials of multichannel cochlear implants.

The Merkin Prize, administered by the Broad Institute, recognizes pathbreaking technologies that are demonstrably improving human health, and the 2026 prize carries a total award of $400,000. This year’s laureates will be honored at a prize ceremony in September.

Merzenich’s early UCSF contributions were highlighted in his 2015 paper, “Early UCSF contributions to the development of multiple-channel cochlear implants,” which chronicled the department’s role in shaping the field from the 1970s through the mid-1980s.

We congratulate Dr. Merzenich on this well-deserved recognition and thank him for his enduring contributions to hearing science, patient care, and the field of otolaryngology.

OHNS Finance Director - Welcome Dhimanshu Joshi

Mon, 15 Jun 2026 15:20:26 +0000

OHNS Finance Director - Welcome Dhimanshu Joshi

Announcements

yasmine.castan… Mon, 06/15/2026 - 08:20

Meet our new Finance Director, Dhimanshu Joshi!

He is bringing over 20 years of experience in financial planning, strategic finance, and operational leadership across healthcare and financial services. Throughout his career, he has led enterprise budgeting, forecasting, long-range planning, and finance transformation initiatives, most recently at Delta Dental of California.

Outside of work, Dhimanshu enjoys staying active and living a healthy lifestyle. He likes working out, hiking, jogging, and spending time outdoors with his family, including walking the dog with his wife and 12-year-old son.

Please join us in welcoming Dhimanshu to the team!

OHNS Contracts & Grants Manager - Welcome Linda Chow

Mon, 15 Jun 2026 15:16:22 +0000

OHNS Contracts & Grants Manager - Welcome Linda Chow

Announcements

yasmine.castan… Mon, 06/15/2026 - 08:16

Meet our new Contracts & Grants Manager, Linda Chow!

Linda brings more than 20 years of experience in research administration, finance, higher education, and legal services. Her diverse background includes roles at UCSF as a Program Manager, Contracts and Grants Officer, and pre- and post-award analyst, providing her with extensive expertise across the research administration lifecycle. She also brings private-sector experience as a paralegal, adding valuable insight into contracts, compliance, and regulatory matters.

Please be sure to say hello when you see her!

Spring 2026 HeadsUp! Newsletter

Tue, 26 May 2026 17:35:14 +0000

Spring 2026 HeadsUp! Newsletter

Announcements

yasmine.castan… Tue, 05/26/2026 - 10:35

The Spring 2026 HeadsUp! newsletter is now available. Explore the latest highlights, achievements, and department updates from University of California, San Francisco Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery. ➡️ https://myemail.constantcontact.com/subject.html?soid=1141755076659&aid=sAP1zRIzc7s or https://ohns.ucsf.edu/about/news/headsup-newsletter 🗞️🩺

Announcing Daniella Silva as Our New Education Manager

Fri, 08 May 2026 21:42:33 +0000

Announcing Daniella Silva as Our New Education Manager

Announcements

yasmine.castan… Fri, 05/08/2026 - 14:42

We are delighted to announce the promotion of Daniella Silva to the position of Education Manager!

Since joining the OHNS team in 2022, Daniella has consistently demonstrated dedication, professionalism, and a strong commitment to our academic mission. She began her journey at the front desk, where her organizational skills and welcoming presence quickly made an impact. Through hard work and initiative, she advanced to the role of Faculty, Staff & Project Coordinator, where she played a key role in supporting departmental recruitments and operations.

In her new role as Education Manager, Daniella will oversee resident and fellow education operations. She brings a thoughtful, collaborative approach to her work and is deeply committed to supporting the success and growth of our trainees.

Daniella is excited to take on this new role and continue contributing to the development and success of our residency and fellowship programs.

Please join us in congratulating her on this well-deserved promotion!

Match Day 2026: Welcoming Our New UCSF OHNS Residents

Fri, 20 Mar 2026 16:09:42 +0000

Match Day 2026: Welcoming Our New UCSF OHNS Residents

Announcements

yasmine.castan… Fri, 03/20/2026 - 09:09

It's Match Day, and we couldn't be more proud to share who's joining the UCSF OHNS team!

Please join us in welcoming our incoming residents:
Isaac Alter – Columbia University
May Gao – Duke University
Sarah Hughes – University of Michigan
Rachel Kutler – Columbia University
Hannah Weinstein – Columbia University

With this year's Otolaryngology Match drawing the highest number of applicants in recent history, we know how much it took to get here, and that makes today even more meaningful.

Our five-year residency program offers both breadth and depth across all subspecialty areas of Otolaryngology, and we're honored these five chose to train with us.

"Match Day brings so much excitement for both students and programs," says Residency Program Director Dr. Steven Pletcher. "We look forward to working closely together over the next five years to build the foundation for their future careers while providing outstanding patient care. Congratulations to all students who matched today!"

Welcome to the team; we can't wait to get started!

Dr. Nicole Jiam Named UCSF Chen Scholar Awardee

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 23:40:06 +0000

Dr. Nicole Jiam Named UCSF Chen Scholar Awardee

Announcements

yasmine.castan… Fri, 02/27/2026 - 15:40

Dr. Nicole Jiam is an awardee of the UCSF Chen Scholars program! She will receive a grant to support her project on the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning in cochlear implantation. The program's funding will support her proposed work and offers a global community network of clinician-scientists. The award will also help advance efforts at UCSF OHNS in related translational research.