Issuu

NOVEMBER 2026 FROM THE CHAIR Dear Friends and Colleagues, This issue of Otovation reflects the breadth of our mission and the people who continue to move our Department forward. Across research, clinical innovation, outreach, education, and philanthropy, our work is united by a commitment to improve care and outcomes for patients. Our research spotlight underscores the importance of bringing survivorship care to patients earlier in their cancer journey. José P. Zevallos, MD, MPH, FACS

Read more of Dr. Zevallos' message

RESEARCH SPOTLIGHT Earlier Survivorship Care Linked to Better Outcomes Timing matters in survivorship care. A new study published recently in JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery found that patients with head and neck cancer who began care in a multidisciplinary survivorship clinic before or early in radiotherapy had a lower risk of recurrence or death than patients who started after treatment. Read more about Survivorship

The Eugene N. Myers, M.D. Professor and Chair Department of Otolaryngology University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Deputy Director, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center

TOP PUBLICATION

CLINICAL INNOVATION

ClearView-Jaw Wins Competition

A University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine group is the graduate winner of the Collegiate Inventors Competition! Hosted by the National Inventors Hall of Fame, the Pitt group was one of five graduate teams nationally to be selected as finalists. They received an allexpenses-paid trip to Washington D.C. to attend the event at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia. Read more about ClearView-Jaw

OUTREACH Mission of Mercy 2026 The Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery and UPMC Audiology participated in Mission of Mercy for the fifth consecutive year. The Eye & Ear Foundation, in partnership with Call to Care, hosted the two-day free dental and hearing clinic, held October 16-17, 2026. Read more about Mission of Mercy

RECOGNITION AND GRANTS Joseph M. Furman, MD, PhD, FAAN, Director, UPMC Center for Balance Disorders and Professor in the Departments of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Neurology, Bioengineering, and Physical Therapy Honored with the prestigious Hallpike-Nylén Prize from the Bárány Society for his outstanding achievements in clinical vestibular research. This international award is given every two years. Marci Lee Nilsen, PhD, RN, CHPN, FAAN, Director, UPMC Head & Neck

Survivorship Clinic, Co-lead, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center's Cancer Risk, Outcomes and Prevention Program, and Professor, Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery Receiving the 2026 Merrill J. Egorin Excellence in Scientific Leadership Award, which honors a UPMC Hillman Cancer Center research faculty member who demonstrates biomedical expertise, scientific passion, and scholarly dedication. The award recognizes Dr. Egorin’s legacy as a clinician, scientist, educator, and internationally recognized leader in pharmacokinetics and anticancer drug development.

FACULTY SPOTLIGHT

A Lasting Legacy: Campaign to Name the Head & Neck Cancer Institute for Dr. Eugene N. Myers The Eye & Ear Foundation has launched a major campaign initiative to raise $5 Million to name the forthcoming Head & Neck Cancer Institute after Eugene N. Myers, MD, FACS, FRCS, Edin (Hon). Dr. Myers was Chairman of the Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh for 33 years. Read more about the campaign

EDUCATION & TRAINING The Sustainable Surgeon: A Podcast Series When the American Head & Neck Society Women’s Group was discussing what could be improved and further addressed, Jessica H. Maxwell, MD, MPH, FACS, Associate Professor and Residency Program Director for the Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, suggested a podcast. Read more about the podcast

Pitt is once again among the top 2% of universities worldwide

PHILANTHROPY - A Vital Partner The Eye & Ear Foundation of Pittsburgh, an independent 501(c)(3) organization, was founded in 1985 to foster philanthropic support for the Departments of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh. The goal is to keep moving forward, expanding EEF’s support network, and helping the Departments achieve unparalleled distinction in research, education, outreach, and patient care.