Paul Zolkind, MD

Paul Zolkind, MD

Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology—Head & Neck Surgery
Chief of Otolaryngology, John Cochran VA Medical Center

Dr. Zolkind is a head and neck specialist that treats benign and malignant head and neck tumors, salivary gland tumors and thyroid and parathyroid disorders. He specializes in transoral robotic surgery and microvascular reconstruction.

Specialties

  • Benign and malignant head and neck tumors
  • Salivary gland tumors
  • Thyroid and parathyroid disorders
  • Transoral robotic surgery
  • Microvascular reconstruction 

Education

Undergraduate: Northwestern University, Evanston, IL (2009)

Medical Degree: SUNY Downstate College of Medicine, Brooklyn, NY (2013)

Residency: Otolaryngology – Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine (2020)

Fellowship: Head and Neck Surgery/Microvascular Reconstruction – Stanford University (2021)

Locations

Dr. Zolkind sees patients at:

John Cochran VA

John Cochran VA

VA St. Louis Health Care System – John Cochran Division

Board certification

  • Board certified in otolaryngology

Research Interests

Dr. Zolkind’s research focuses on utilizing a bench-to-bedside approach for developing novel techniques to treat head and neck cancer. He is working to better understand the molecular pathways that drive tumorigenesis and metastasis and identify how the interactions between the immune system and tumor cells can be harnessed through novel and combination immunotherapies to better treat cancer patients.

View Dr. Zolkind’s research, publications and collaborations »

Leadership Roles & Honors

  • Chief of Otolaryngology, VA St. Louis Health Care System – John Cochran Division
  • AACR Scholar-in-Training Award. “Interrogation of HPV-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas with RNA-based Nanostring assay demonstrates expression profile associated with treatment resistance.” AACR-AHNS Annual Meeting, Austin, TX (2019)
  • Washington University Department of Otolaryngology Michael Paparella Basic Science Research Award, 2nd Place. “Impact of Tobacco Use on the Immunogenomic Profile of HPV-Associated Oropharynx Cancer.” (2019)
  • Washington University Department of Otolaryngology Michael Paparella Basic Science Research Award, 1st Place. “Immunotherapy in Head and Neck Cancer” (2018)

Dr. Zolkind in the News