Q&A with Lewis Rolen, operations assistant

A middle school social studies teacher for 30 years, Lewis Rolen now provides operational support for the Department of Otolaryngology – and women’s basketball commentary. How would you describe your current role? I have been with Washington University just two years, all of that time with the Department of Otolaryngology. Originally my job title was Attendant […]

ENT residents garner research awards

photo of Walia in operating room

Washington University otolaryngology residents Amit Walia, MD, and David Lee, MD, received research grants from the American Hearing Research Foundation (AHRF). The awards are $1,000 each and will provide supplies and other expenses related to their research projects. Title: Optical Coherence Tomography of Inner Ear StructuresPI: David Lee, MDMentor: Nedim Durakovic, MD Hearing instability disorders, […]

Q&A with Chief Resident Carla Valenzuela

photo of Valenzuela with father and sister in helicopter

Carla Valenzuela, MD, MSCI, is another of our accomplished chief residents. A physician-scientist trainee, she spent two years exploring a number of clinical and basic research topics and is the recipient of The Holt Leadership Award for Residents and Fellows-in-Training offered by the American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery. What attracted you […]

Q&A with Kristin Vierling

photo of St. Luke's staff

As senior director of clinical operations at the Center for Hearing and Balance Disorders, Kristin Vierling touches many lives – patients, surgeons, office and medical staff, and trainees. Her knowledge of neurotology and skill at building interpersonal relationships are central to the success of the clinic. How long have you been working with Jacques Herzog, […]

Gender and race interaction revealed in cancer survival disparities

Mazul presenting research

Washington University researchers, led by Angela Mazul, PhD, and Sid Puram, MD, PhD, have demonstrated the first interaction between gender and race with regards to survival outcomes for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). The results will help establish a greater awareness of the racial and gender disparities in cancer susceptibility, diagnosis, and treatment. […]

ENT celebrates 41st Senturia Lecture

Senturia Lectureship montage

The Department of Otolaryngology at Washington University celebrated the 41st annual Senturia Lectureship on Nov. 17, 2021. Invited guest speaker Michael Hoa, MD, presented his recent work on hearing instability disorders, which includes Meniere’s disease, a disorder of the inner ear that often causes hearing loss and vertigo (dizzy spells). Hoa, an associate professor in […]

Q&A with Theresa Tharakan, T32 resident

Tharakan and family at medical school graduation

Theresa Tharakan, MD, is a resident in the physician-scientist training (T32) program, which prepares trainees for a successful research career in academic otolaryngology. What attracted you to WashU’s residency program? WashU’s friendly residents, broad surgical experience, and research support are what drew me here.  What do you like most about being a trainee here? The […]

Residency applicant numbers continue to rise

graph of applicant numbers

The residency program in the Department of Otolaryngology at Washington University reached an all-time high of 516 applicants this year. The increase highlights an acceleration in the past few years of a subtle trend that has been ongoing for two decades. Residency Program Director Judith Lieu, MD, acknowledged there may be many reasons for the […]

Q&A with Special Program Administrator Brian Faddis

photo of Brian Faddis and resident Carla Valenzuela in simulation lab

This month, in a Q&A takeover, a group of administrative staff turned the tables on the man who usually asks the questions, Brian Faddis, PhD. What is your current role in the department and of all your varied responsibilities what do you like most? I am called a special program administrator, which I think means […]

Under the Scope newsletter celebrates three years

Under the Scope, the monthly newsletter of the Department of Otolaryngology—Head & Neck Surgery, just celebrated its third anniversary of informing, inspiring, and engaging staff, faculty, residents and fellows. When the monthly employee newsletter was launched in October 2018, the department’s team of 350 was spread across five locations. By sharing stories about the department’s […]