Q&A with Administrative Assistant Sydnie Smith

photo of Sydnie Smith paragliding

Adminstrative Assistant Sydnie Smith details her new responsibilities as social media coordinator and shares her love for travel and food. What are your current duties and what do you enjoy most about your work? I am currently an Administrative Assistant III, and I have been with the department for about a year and a half. […]

Taking the helm: Q&A with Lindburg Professor and Chair Sid Puram

Photo of the Puram family on a ski trip

Sidharth V. Puram, MD, PhD, received his undergraduate degrees in Biology and Neuroscience from MIT, then pursued a combined MD/PhD program at Harvard Medical School. He completed a residency in Otolaryngology at Harvard’s Combined Program (Massachusetts Eye and Ear) and a research fellowship at MIT before pursuing fellowship training in Head and Neck Surgical Oncology […]

A fond farewell: Q&A with former Lindburg Professor and Head Craig Buchman

photo of Buchman in the simulation lab

As we bid farewell to Lindburg Professor and Chair Craig Buchman and wished him the best in the next phase of his life, we asked him to reflect on his tenure as leader of the Department of Otolaryngology and share his future plans. What do you feel has been the most important change to the […]

Q&A with research audiologist and new faculty member Katelyn Berg

photo of Katelyn Berg with Nashville Philharmonic violin section

Intent on becoming a professional musician, new faculty member Katelyn Berg, PhD, explains how a guest speaker in a science elective course changed her career path and how pizza guides her national and international travel. What inspired you to choose this career path? I never intended to become an audiologist. In fact, I’d never heard […]

Q&A with Patient Accounts Manager Alicia Penning

photo of Alicia Penning and son Maverick

Alicia Penning shares her loves for family; the challenge of implementing new university scheduling processes; and building with Legos. What is your current title and how long have you been with ENT at WashU Medicine? I am a Patient Accounts Manager, and I have been with Otolaryngology for two years and WashU Medicine a total […]

Q&A with Patient Services Rep Karen Gibson

What is your current position, and how long have you been with WashU Medicine? I currently serve as a patient services representative. I have been with Otolaryngology at WashU Medicine for 24 years. I have done many things over the years in this department. I was the front desk lead at the St. Louis Children’s […]

Q&A with Clinical Research Coordinator Shannon Lefler

Lefler with dance team

Shannon Lefler shares her love for research, patient care and dance, and her newfound hobby as a DIYer. What is your current title, and how long have you been with ENT at WashU Medicine? My current title is senior clinical research coordinator, but I am also a research audiologist and a lecturer in the Program […]

Q&A with Nurse Practitioner LaRonda Cutts

What is your current title, and how long have you been with Oto? My title is Nurse Practitioner, and I have been with the Otolaryngology department for two years. Before joining WashU Medicine, I worked at Betty Jean Kerr People’s Health Centers for six years. I started as a registered nurse but later obtained my […]

Q&A with Clinical Audiologist Karen Mispagel

What is your current title, and how long have you been with Oto? My current title is Clinical Audiologist. I have been with the Department of Otolaryngology at WashU Medicine for 24 years.  I started working in the Adult Audiology Program in 2001 after finishing my Masters Degree in Audiology at WashU.  Subsequently, I returned […]

Q&A with Assistant Professor Nedim Durakovic

WashU Medicine Director of Dizziness and Balance Center shares insight into his career and his favorite activities. What is your current title, and how long have you been with Oto and WashU? I am a neurotologist so I specialize in all disorders related to the ear. I finished my residency at WashU in 2017 and […]