Spector Lecture highlights leadership in academic medicine

The Department of Otolaryngology at Washington University celebrated the 6th annual Spector Lectureship in the Biology of Cancer on April 24. Invited speaker Mark Varvares, MD, shared his thoughts on the importance of leadership in academic medicine. Varvares currently serves as the John W. Merriam/William W. Montgomery Professor and chair of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery […]

When the doctor becomes the patient

photo of attendees at the survivorship symposium

“One year ago to the day,” Mark Varvares, MD, told an audience of cancer survivors, “I was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia.” A cancer surgeon himself, he went on to share an emotional personal experience with cancer that would alter his perspective on patient care. The Department of Otolaryngology at Washington University School of Medicine […]

Research symposium highlights advances in head and neck cancer treatment

photo of audience listening to speaker Mark Varvares

A multidisciplinary group of researchers at Washington University shared cutting edge advancements in our understanding of head and neck cancer. The event marked the third research symposium, held as part of the annual Spector Lectureship in the Biology of Cancer. For program organizer and Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology Alex Harbison, MD, the event highlighted what […]

Open surgery replacing more conservative management for airway stenosis

photo of Matt Rohlfing with WashU Shield

Washington University laryngologist Matt Rohlfing, MD, brings new hope to patients with airway deficiencies that are unresponsive to endoscopic management. Tracheal stenosis is a narrowing of the windpipe (trachea) that can lead to shortness of breath and coughing. The condition is most commonly caused by trauma due to intubation or tracheostomy – an opening to […]

Sharing our expertise: 2024 Combined Otolaryngology Spring Meetings

Faculty and trainees from the Department of Otolaryngology at Washington University School of Medicine will share their expertise in patient care and advancements in research at the upcoming Combined Otolaryngology Spring Meetings (COSM) in Chicago, May 15-19. The annual meeting brings together the membership of the nine COSM societies, otolaryngology residents and fellows in training, […]

New surgical simulation lab takes shape

photo of lab under construction

A new surgical simulation lab is taking shape quickly on the sixth floor of Farrell Learning and Teaching Center on the medical school campus of Washington University in St. Louis. The multi-disciplinary lab provides a state-of-the-art platform for hands-on education of surgical trainees in otolaryngology, neurosurgery and ophthalmology. The new facility will replace the current […]

Q&A with Speech Language Pathologist Grace Cutchin

photo of Grace and Brian Cutchin at Auburn football game

After a vocal injury inspired a career change, Speech Language Pathologist Grace Cutchin now finds satisfaction helping professional singers return to peak performance. What has your career path looked like? I have been a speech language pathologist (SLP) specializing in voice and upper airway for almost three years now. It took me a little while […]

Successful removal of rare tumor a multidisciplinary effort

photo of Wiley Shannon and mom

A rare pediatric tumor brought together a multidisciplinary team of surgeons from Washington University School of Medicine that included specialists from Otolaryngology, Neurosurgery and Ophthalmology. In March 2022, Wiley Shannon was a typical ten year old, very much ready to turn 11 in another month. His mother Katie Shannon described him as creative and musical, […]

Match results are in!

Otolaryngology resident match results were announced March 15, and five outstanding medical school graduates will join the Department of Otolaryngology at Washington University School of Medicine as our newest residents. The National Resident Matching Program uses a computerized mathematical algorithm to place each applicant with their preferred residency positions at programs that also prefer them. […]

Tissue banking: Bridging the gap between bench and bedside

photo of Puram lab team evaluating data

Researchers in the Department of Otolaryngology at Washington University School of Medicine are taking greater advantage of tissue banking to help answer questions about human disease and treatment options – even questions they haven’t thought of yet. The progress of biomedical research is often hindered by the availability of research specimens. Imagine how slow that […]