“To lead care and innovation for all patients, shaping the future of otolaryngology together.”

Our Vision

“To be the global benchmark in otolaryngology — where clinical excellence, translational discovery, and education operate as one unified system, defining the standard for integrated and collaborative, patient-centered impact.

These declarations represent our commitment to quality, advancement, ethics, organizational pride, mutual respect and teamwork, open communication, functional balance and individual fulfillment. The following supporting vision statements define the framework of our commitment.

1. We will be the No. 1 destination for care, research, and training – the best place in the world to work, train, receive care, and develop as a physician-scientist  – defined not just by reputation, but by measurable outcomes and impact.
2. We will operate as one department across divisions and domains – a unified organization with shared vision, aligned incentives, and seamless collaboration across divisions, domains, and the health system, functioning as a Venn diagram of unique strengths, not siloed teams.
3. We will define the “WashU Medicine ENT Way” – a clear, scalable structure and process that integrates research, clinical practice, and education – a version of the “Toyota method” for academic medicine.
4. We will own the bench-to-bedside-to-population continuum. Questions from the clinic will drive discovery. Basic and translational science will move efficiently into practice and shape population-level outcomes.
5. We will lead responsible AI and next-generation therapeutics. We will pioneer ethical AI, personalized medicine, gene therapies, and less invasive surgical approaches – bringing emerging science into everyday care.
6. We will create a culture of academic pursuit and collaboration to drive success. Academic excellence will be supported structurally – not left to chance – balancing productivity with teaching, research, and innovation.
7. We will build the fourth pillar: Innovation. Partnering across disciplines – including business, industry, and venture – we will translate ideas into scalable solutions, contributing to WashU’s commercialization ecosystem.
8. We will be globally recognized for multidisciplinary care – pediatric and adult programs integrated; subspecialties connected; clinical care and research interwoven to create excellence that is accessible locally, nationally, and internationally.
9. We will establish the best residency and fellowship programs, as defined by the leadership and impact of our graduates – graduates who become leaders in subspecialty practice, research, education, and innovation. We measure ourselves by impact, not recruitment.
10. We will foster an environment of shared achievement. We, not I. Incentives and culture will capture shared success, quality, and collective advancement – aligning individual achievement with departmental good.