ENT interns impressed by depth of training and professional support

As they approach the end of their first rotations as residents in the Department of Otolaryngology at Washington University, we checked in to see how things were going with our new interns. Their responses indicate a strong appreciation for the depth of training and collegial support they have encountered. Amrita Hari-Raj, MD Rotation: St. Louis […]

Q&A with Chief Resident Pawina Jiramongkolchai

Pawina Jiramongkolchai, MD, MSCI, is a chief resident and surgeon-scientist in the Department of Otolaryngology. As she begins her final year of training at Washington University, she reflects on her work and reveals her outside interests. How long have you been a resident here and what attracted you to WashU’s program? I am in the […]

Q&A with Research Assistant Sophie Gerndt

Sophie Gerndt, MD, is a research assistant supporting head and neck cancer research efforts in the lab of Jose Zevallos, MD. What does your work in the Zevallos lab entail? I am a physician who graduated from medical school in Juarez City, Mexico. For the past year and a half I have been working as […]

Q&A with alumnus and ENT academic leader Kenneth Lee

photo of Ken Lee and family

Kenneth H. Lee, MD, PhD, is the John W. & Rhonda K. Pate Professor of Otolaryngology—Head & Neck Surgery at UT Southwestern Medical Center. Lee specializes in pediatric otolaryngology and serves as director of the Pediatric Cochlear Implant Program at UT Southwestern, director of Pediatric Otolaryngology, UT Southwestern Pediatric Group Plan, and chief of surgery […]

Surgeon transplants salivary gland to produce tears

head shot of Dr. Paniello

Imagine the feeling of sandpaper dragging across your eyes every time you blink and the inability to produce tears to relieve the pain. This is the suffering that patients with a severe dry eye condition called xerophthalmia often endure. The constant irritation and resultant tissue damage can lead to blindness – unless they’ve found a […]

Surge in research funding raises hope for head and neck cancer treatment

Surgeon-scientists and researchers in the Department of Otolaryngology at Washington University have just been awarded $1.7 million in grants to improve understanding and treatment of head and neck cancer. The grants will fund research to: explore the de-intensification of treatments for HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer; identify the genomics of high risk HPV-associated and other cancers; understand […]

Q&A with Administrative Coordinator Jana Richardson

What is your role in the department, and how long have you been at WashU? I support two programs in our department. Along with my wonderful co-worker Maria Harrington, I serve as an administrative coordinator for the Residency Program and work closely with Drs. Judith Lieu and Jason Rich and all the residents to ensure […]

Ogura Lectureship highlights mindful patient care and groundbreaking research

The 39th annual Ogura Lectureship and 34th annual Resident Research Day were held June 18, 2021. The event took a hybrid format for the first time, with resident researchers presenting their findings from the Ogura Learning Center in McMillan Hospital. Guest speaker and otolaryngology alumnus Ellis Arjmand, MD, PhD, presented the Ogura lecture remotely from […]

Q&A on administrative office moves with Debbie Scherr

View of building at 4511 Forest Park Ave.

As some of our staff prepare to move to new offices, Department of Otolaryngology Executive Director of Business Affairs Debbie Scherr explains who is moving, where they’re going, and why the move is beneficial. Who is moving? Come September, about two dozen of our clinical support and administrative staff will relocate from McMillan Hospital and the […]

Pedal the Cause… Come back or join for the first time!

You are invited to participate in the Department of Otolaryngology team Heads Up for this year’s Pedal the Cause on Sept. 25 and 26. Participants—including kids—can choose to walk, run, spin, ride a bike or volunteer. While last year’s event was held virtually, there are plans for an in-person Pedal the Cause fundraising event this […]