Alumni Spotlight

Born and raised in Long Island, New York.

Barry Hirsch, MD

I completed my undergraduate at the University of Connecticut and medical school at the University of Pennsylvania. I came to Pittsburgh in 1979 to begin my Otolaryngology residency. This was at the same time that Dr. Jonas Johnson joined the fulltime faculty. I finished my residency training in 1982. My next position was at Georgetown University on the full-time faculty. My training at Pittsburgh provided a very strong foundation in all aspects of Otolaryngology. I did cosmetic surgery (rhinoplasty), ablative head and neck cancer resection, reconstruction with vascular flaps, and sinus procedures. This reflected the broad and excellent training I received. In 1984, I was approached by my mentor, Donald Kamerer, to return to Pittsburgh to pursue additional fellowship training in otology/neurotology. I became a member of the faculty practicing otology and neurotology along with basic Otolaryngology. Dr. Myers had the insight for where skull base surgery was developing and encouraged and supported my pursing additional training with an internationally renowned surgeon, Professor Hugo Fisch, in Zurich Switzerland. This was in the winter, 1986.

I provided surgical services at the VAH. This included general Otolaryngology including head and neck surgery, but an emphasis in otology. I was chief of Otolaryngology at the VA from 1987 to 1990 and remained until 1990.

I have had held regional and national positions of education and leadership. I had been President of the Pennsylvania Academy of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Chairman of the Implantable Hearing Device committee of the American Academy of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Board member of the FDA Ear, Nose and Throat Devices Committee, and President of the American Neurotology Society, the governing organization overseeing academic and political aspects of the specialty. I have served as the Program Director in Neurotology in the department and remain as the Director of otology/neurotology.

Wife Jean Harwick, MD - An ophthalmologist in the University of Pittsburgh Department of Ophthalmology who works at UPMC Mercy. Sons: David – Hand surgeon in Orlando, Florida. He did his orthopedic residency at Pitt.

Peter – Venture capitalist focusing on companies building solutions to address climate change.

I enjoy tennis, travel, and casual dining.

I was honored to be on the ground floor with the growth and expertise provided by the Department of Otolaryngology. This program soared to be in the top 3 programs in the nation, attracting top notch faculty, resident applicants, and international visitors.

I have a vivid memory of being recruited here as a resident. This was years before the match, in 1981. I came out to Pittsburgh from Philadelphia for an interview with Dr. Myers. We sat at the coffee shop on the first floor of the then Eye and Ear Hospital on stools at the lunch counter. He shared his vision for the department. As mentioned, Dr. Johnson started as faculty at the same time I did as a resident. The rest is history.

In my early years, the F and G wings of Presbyterian were the buildings of the Eye and Ear hospital. The fraternities of University of Pittsburgh were located on Lothrop Street. They were demolished and the Eye and Ear Institute was built in 1987. I was responsible for helping with the design of the temporal bone laboratory as we know it now.

The department, under the financial support of the Foundation, has prospered in education and research. I have provided financial investment to sustain the mission and foster continue achievements.

We have seen a half century of phenomenal leadership enhancing national and international notoriety. I am honored and privileged to be part of this institution. I am excited to see how the new Department Chair will continue this mission.