From the Desk of the Chairman
H
ello and Welcome to the Eye & Ear Foundation’s Winter/Spring Edition of the Otolaryngology Alumni Newsletter.
You might be interested to see some of the awards recently won by our faculty. Additionally, there’s quite a nice list of grants that have been awarded this year. The year 2021 might reasonably be recalled as the year when COVID did not end. We are optimistic, however, that our annual Three Rivers Otolaryngology Update (AKA Alumni Day) will be a live event Friday-Saturday, March 18-19, 2022. As always, it will feature a resident research contest held in the memory of George and Robert Schein. We provided for you a listing of approximately 200 peer-reviewed manuscripts published in 2021. It is a nice overview of the volume and scope of the work our faculty are doing. I also think you’ll enjoy the short interview on Mary Mitskavich. Mary completed residency training here in Pittsburgh in 1996. Her recollections as well as her remarkable success in the ensuing 25+ years are emblematic of the success shared with so many of you. I invite all of you to visit with us whenever you have an opportunity. Hopefully this will include seeing you in Philadelphia at the time of the Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Otolaryngology— Head and Neck Surgery.
Jonas T. Johnson, MD, FACS
With kindest regards,
Jonas T. Johnson, MD, FACS Distinguished Professor and Chairman, Department of Otolaryngology The Dr. Eugene N. Myers Endowed Chair The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
In This Issue From the Desk of the Chairman
1
Faculty Awards
6
Global Health Initiative
2
Upcoming Events
8
Faculty Promotions
2
Alumni Spotlight
9
Faculty Grants
4
Webinar Information
Back Cover
Global Health Initiative
Y
oung surgeons are increasingly interested in global health care concerns. We have developed a collaboration with Johannes Fagan, MD. Dr. Fagan is the Leon Goldman Professor and Chair of the Division of Otorhinolaryngology (ENT) at the University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa and a resident alumnus of our Department of Otolaryngology here at the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Fagan has been an international leader in global education with special emphasis in Africa. Starting in July 2023, our 3rd year residents will have the opportunity to join the Capetown otolaryngology department. Each of the 5 residents in this class will go to Capetown for 10 weeks. Planning for Clinical Research projects are underway. At this juncture we are seeking support from alumni to help support the cost of travel. We would be grateful for your consideration. To help support this initiative, please make a donation by clicking HERE and using the Resident Education-Otolaryngology designation or reach out to Heather Chronis at heather@eyeandear.org
Dr. Johnson and residents who will be traveling to South Africa
Faculty Promotions Dr. Umamaheswar Duvvuri, MD, PhD was promoted to Professor. Dr. Duvvuri serves as the Director of Robotic Surgery, Division of Head and Neck Surgery, at the University Of Pittsburgh School Of Medicine and is the current Director of the Center for Advanced Robotics Training (CART) at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. His research interests include minimally invasive endoscopic and robotic surgery of the head and neck, tumors of the thyroid and parathyroid glands and molecular oncology of head and neck cancer.
Dr. Andrew McCall, MD was promoted to Associate Professor. Dr. McCall’s clinical focus is on the treatment of patients with otologic and neurotologic disorders. He is specifically interested in the surgical management of patients with hearing loss, chronic otitis media and associated sequelae, or skull base disorders. His scientific focus is on understanding the manner in which somatosensory inputs from the periphery are integrated with vestibular inputs in the central nervous system. He is ultimately interested in translating insights gained from these experiments into clinical therapies for patients with vestibulopathy.
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Faculty Promotions (continued) Dr. Amanda Stapleton, MD was promoted to Associate Professor. Dr. Stapleton’s clinical and research interests are centered on pediatric sino-nasal disease. Her research work is centered on studying the bacteriology of chronic sinusitis in pediatric patients and in cystic fibrosis patients. Dr. Stapleton also focuses on immunecompromised patients and those with allergic rhinitis. She has a clinical interest in pediatric skull base tumors: their treatment and management.
Dr. Eric Wang, MD was promoted to Professor. Dr. Wang’s clinical and research focus are in the areas of skull base surgery and rhinology, his areas of subspecialty fellowship training. As a member of the UPMC Center for Cranial Base Surgery, he has designed and implemented multiple prospective controlled trials on the outcomes and consequences of skull base surgery. In addition to outcomes research, he also is active in translational research.
DEPARTMENT David Eibling,
2021 Department of Otolaryngology Publications
OF OTOLARYN GOLOGY 2020 PUBLICATIONS JANUARY 2020 PUBLICATIONS
Jonas Johnson,
MD
Title: Burden of Treatment: Reported Outco Authors: Nilsen mes in a Head ML, Mady LJ, Hodge and Neck Cance s J, WassermanJournal: Laryng r Survivorshp Clinic Wincko T, Johnso oscope n JT Summary: These data These results highlig indicate the remarkable preval ence of treatm ht the need for ent-related effect de-intensification understanding s in HNC surviv of pathophysio of therapies, where ors. logy and new appro Link: https://doi.o appropriate, and aches to mitiga for a better rg/10.1002/lary.27 ting treatment 801 effects. Title: Health Literac y: Impact on Qualit Authors: Nilsen y of Life in Head ML, Moskovitz and Neck Cance J, Lingyun L, Harris r Survivors Journal: Laryng on oscope C, Randazza E, Peddada SD, Johnso Summary: Inadeq n JT uate health literac y is associated with inadequate with a lower social health literacy, interventions to QOL in HNC surviv Link: https://doi.o ameliorate the ors, and among rg/10.1002/lary.28 impact on QOL those 360 are needed.
Carl Snyderman
Faculty in the Department of Otolaryngology published over 150 academic studies in 2021 across a variety of specialty areas, including head and neck cancer, balance, sleep, hearing loss, voice disorders, and many others. For a full list of publications by month please visit HERE.
MD
Title: Using Voogle to Search Within Patient Record Authors Augie s in the VA Corpo Turano PhD and rate Data Wareh David Eibling, MD Journal Federa ouse l Practitioner Summary A new search engine permits term-b single patient from ased queries of data stored within both structured data element stored the VA Corporate and unstructured database. This in the data wareh free text for a tool permits practit structured. Data ouse by simple ioners to find any query, eliminating is accessed from any VA, regard the need to know Link: https://www less from which complex menu .ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/p VA(s) they had ubmed/31892775 received their care.
, MD, MBA
Title: Endoscopic nasopharyngectom study of the transp y combined with a nerve-sparin terygoid appro g transpterygo ach. Authors: Geltze id approach: an iler M, Turner anatomic M, Rimmer R, Miranda J, Wang Zenonos G, Heber E t A, Snyderman Journal: Laryng C, Gardner P, Fernan oscope dezSummary: Our study examines the need to sacrifi successfully perfor ce the vidian and m en bloc endos greater palatin copic nasopharyng Link: https://doi.o e nerves in order ectomy. rg/10.1002/lary.28 to 479
Title: Endoscopic transnasal transm axillary approach Authors: Liu Q, Wang H, Zhao to the upper parap W, Song X, Sun haryngeal space Journal: Eur Arch X, Yu H, Wang and the skull base. Otorhinolaryngol D, Fernandez-M Summary: This iranda JC, Snyde study aims to presen rman CH t anatomical landm anterior transm axillary approach arks for a combi to the upper PPS ned endoscopic evaluate their and the floor of transnasal and clinical application. the middle crania Link: https://doi.o l fossa and to furthe rg/10.1007/s0040 r 5-019-05761-6
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Faculty Grants Dr. Carey Balaban Dr. Carey Balaban received a grant from the Department of Defense to understand, through modeling and testing, the biological effects of directed energy on the human body. Sounds above the range of human hearing (ultrasound) can also be ‘heard’ when directed from behind a person at the mastoid process of the temporal bone. The project will extend analyses of the acoustic transmission properties of these cranial structures that are germane to the reception of airborne and direct contact acoustic energy. The knowledge will have wide-reaching implications from military use to health care and better training simulators and entertainment. Dr. Balaban also received funding from the Department of Defense for two projects, NonInvasive, Head-Mounted Measures of Vestibular Function, and Portable Computerized Dynamic Posturography, and Balance Training System to Deliver Sensory Organization Tests in Clinic and Field Environments (Portable Computer).
Dr. Chris Cunningham Dr. Chris Cunningham was a winner of the Bruce and Barbara Wiegand Entrepreneurial Research Award. Dr. Cunningham and his team will work to develop and test gene therapies for LRTOMT-associated deafness. The Bruce and Barbara Wiegand Entrepreneurial Research Award was established by Mr. and Mrs. Wiegand through the Eye & Ear Foundation to provide much needed funding to promising projects that are approaching commercialization. This grant allows the Foundation to receive future support through any successful commercialization.
Dr. Manoj Kumar Dr. Manoj Kumar received an Emerging Research Grant from the Hearing Health Foundation for his project studying the signaling mechanisms of auditory cortex plasticity after noise-induced hearing loss. This project will highlight the path for the development of novel treatment options for impaired hearing and hearing-loss-related disorders such as tinnitus and hyperacusis.
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Faculty Grants (continued) Dr. Marci Nilsen Dr. Marci Nilsen received a grant from TJA Health, LLC to identify the effectiveness of two mouthsprays at relieving symptoms of xerostomia in patients who have received radiation for carcinoma of the head and neck. To assess patient quality of life and mouth acidity following use of two mouth sprays meant to relieve symptoms of xerostomia in patients who have received radiation for carcinoma of the head and neck. Dr. Nilsen also received a grant from the NIH to investigate the prevalence of cancerassociated pain and stress and their role in tumor progression and cancer pain. The hypothesis of this proposal is that sympathetic nervous system (SNS) exacerbates cancer pain and drives tumor progression via local adrenergic signaling in the cancer microenvironment. To test this hypothesis, Dr. Nilsen and her team will explore the relationship between patient-reported pain, psychological symptom burden (i.e., anxiety, depression, social support), and plasma catecholamine levels in HNSCC patients to determine if low pre-treatment pain and psychological symptom burden will predict better response to therapy and patient reported outcomes during survivorship. Dr. Thanos Tzounopoulos Dr. Thanos Tzounopoulos received RO1 funding from the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders for his work studying synaptic, cellular, and circuit mechanisms of cortical plasticity after cochlear damage. This research will test several novel hypotheses regarding the mechanisms of auditory cortex plasticity after cochlear damage and peripheral hearing loss. Because these mechanisms are involved in many disorders associated with sensory deficits, such as hearing loss, schizophrenia, tinnitus, hyperacusis, and neuropathic pain, this research is relevant to those aspects of the NIH mission aimed at improving health through understanding pathophysiological mechanisms in disorders causing disability.
Dr. Ross Williamson Dr. Ross Williamson received the Esther A. & Joseph Klingenstein Fund KlingensteinSimons Fellowship Award in Neurosciencefor his work studying brain-wide cortical circuits for sensory-guided behavior. Dr. Williamson and his team’s research targets are understanding the neurobiological circuits that underly the flow of sensory information throughout the brain and how this information is used to drive behavior. The focus is on connectivity between the primary auditory cortex (a central locus of auditory processing) and its many downstream targets. The proposed experiments will lead to a better understanding of how cortical organization mediates sensory-guided behavior and will provide a foundation for understanding sensory dysfunction in neurological and psychiatric disorders. Dr. Williamson also received a grant from the Hearing Health Foundation for his project Characterizing Tinnitus-induced Changes in Auditory Corticofugal Networks. This grant is a second-year renewal for continuation of this project. The goal is to understand how the flow of auditory information through brain-wide neural networks gives rise to purposeful behavior in models of health and disease. MOMENTS 5 05
Faculty Awards Mohamad Issa, MD, MS received a Faculty & Trainee Professionalism Accolade from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Dr. Issa is an Advanced Oncologic Head and Neck Surgery Fellow in the Department of Otolaryngology after completing his residency at Pitt last spring. During his time at Pitt he has had direct involvement in the ENT presence at the Birmingham Free Clinic in Pittsburgh, as well as multiple internal mission work trips
Mark Kubik, MD won the Teacher of the Year Award in the Department of Otolaryngology. Dr. Kubik is an Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology and Plastic Surgery. Dr. Kubik’s primary clinical interests include oncologic surgery for tumors of the head and neck region, including skull base, thyroid, and salivary gland. He has a specific clinical expertise in microvascular reconstruction following trauma or cancer surgery. His research interests include human papilloma virus (HPV) related oropharyngeal cancer, optimizing functional outcomes following microvascular reconstruction, and robotic surgery.
Carl Snyderman, MD, MBA led a team that took second place in the Michael G. Wells Student Healthcare Entrepreneurship Competition at the University of Pittsburgh Innovation Institute for their NextGenET project. NextGenET is a simplified endotracheal tube that prevents ventilator-associated pneumonia. Dr. Snyderman co-invented this product along with Garrett Coyan, the chief cardiothoracic surgery resident at UPMC. Dr. Snyderman also took third prize in the Randall Family Big Idea Competition at the University of Pittsburgh Innovation Institute for his project on Intelligent Superimposed Point-Marking Interface (ISPI). Lori Zitelli, AuD won an Early-Career Audiologist Award from the American Academy of Audiology. These awards are awarded to an individual with less than 10 years of experience who has made outstanding contributions to the profession of audiology. Lori Zitelli joined the staff of audiologists at the UPMC Eye & Ear Institute in 2012. Her special interests include amplification, diagnostic testing, tinnitus treatment, intraoperative cochlear implant testing, and interventional audiology. She teaches the Clinical Procedures Lab for first year audiology students at the University of Pittsburgh.
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Faculty Awards (continued) Dr. Melanie Nance won a Clinical Excellence Award from UPMC. Nominated by Dr. Phuong Nguyen, Dr. Nance is a Clinical Assistant Professor and the Vice Chair of Education in the Department of Otolaryngology. She is also the ENT Section Chief, Staff Physician, Researcher, and Assistant Chief of Surgery for Resident Education at the VA Medical Center in Pittsburgh.
Department of Otolaryngology Executive Administrator Annmarie Lyons was recognized by Wesley Family Services for her philanthropic work. Ms. Lyons has worked with Wesley Family Services for many years, volunteering, fundraising, and advocating for the organization’s work. She served on the Board of Family Services of Western PA (FSWP) for seven years, including three as chair while FSWP merged with Wesley Spectrum to become Wesley Family Services.
Eric Wang, MD received a 2021 Excellence in Patient Experience Award. This award recognizes Dr. Wang as a top UPMC provider by specialty in the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems Clinician and Group Survey (CG-CAHPS). The survey assesses patients’ experiences with health care providers and staff in doctors’ offices. The CAHPS program is a multi-year initiative of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). Its purpose is to support investigator-led research to better understand patient experience with health care.
Drs. Sridharan, Solari, and Kubik were awarded the Johnson & Johnson DePuy Snythes Scientific Research Fellowship Grant. This grant has allowed the group to hire a Head & Neck Reconstruction research fellow. Dr. Moroni is the recipient of the Synthes research scholarship this year. She has dedicated a portion of her research time to study health disparities in head and neck cancer outcomes and cost-effectiveness analysis of treatment modalities. She is also spearheading a cadaver and clinical study assessing the impact of virtual fracture reduction in mandibular trauma. MOMENTS 7 05
Upcoming Events SAVE THE DATE!
2022: Three Rivers Otolaryngology March 18-19, 2022 Sponsored by: University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Center for Continuing Education in the Health Sciences Department of Otolaryngology For more information, download the complete program.
SAVE THE DATE! Surgeon, Educator, Innovator:
Celebration of a Chairman’s Leadership With Jonas Johnson, MD, stepping down as the Chairman of Otolaryngology at the University of Pittsburgh, we want to celebrate his career and leadership. Please circle June 14, 2022, on your calendar to help us celebrate. More details to be announced. Check our website for updates.
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OTO Alumni Spotlight
Mary Mitskavich, MD University of Pittsburgh Medical School – 1991 University of Pittsburgh General Surgery Internship – 1992 University of Pittsburgh Residency – 1996 Career: I am the founder and managing partner of Coastal Ear, Nose and Throat in Neptune, New Jersey. The growing private practice has 10 general and subspecialty trained surgeons serving the University hospital from three offices on the coast of NJ. I was a principal in the establishment of two outpatient surgery centers. I have held many leadership positions within the Hackensack Meridian Health System, including the Chairman of the Department of Otolaryngology. I am currently Vice Chair of the AAOHN’s Private Practice Study Group. Family: I am married to Gary, and we live in Avon by the Sea, NJ. Hobbies: Exercise, gardening, scuba diving, and traveling. Most important thing to you about having attended Pitt for Otolaryngology? The well-rounded high-level training, lifelong friends and connections, and the mentors who helped influence my character.
Any funny/interesting stories from your years working or in school? A constant source of entertainment was turning Dr. Anna Pou into a Yankee. There was also the time I beat Craig Buchman at croquet! After falling ill during a case, Jeff Myers sprinted over my almost lifeless body to do the case. I must admit it really was an interesting case! How has the campus/department changed since you were in school? No Eye & Ear Emergency Room. No need to spend hours locating charts and “films” for rounds. Thank God for innovation. The immense growth of the UPMC system. Why have you gotten involved with and supported the Eye & Ear Foundation? My mentors at UPMC had an inspirational impact on the earliest years of my medical career. The outstanding educational opportunities that continue to be offered will shape the lives of future generations of surgeons in our field. I am honored to have the opportunity to support this incredibly influential program which had such an immense impact on my success as a surgeon and leader. What are you most excited about in the future of the department and/or the Foundation? Continued innovation by the best and brightest. MOMENTS 9 07
We Want To Hear From You!
W
ith the release of our new alumni newsletter, MomENTs in Otolaryngology, we want to keep in touch with our alumni. Please share exciting personal or professional news with fellow alumni in future editions of our newsletter. Have you recently changed jobs? Got married? Published some exciting research? Welcomed a new member into your family? We want to know about it!
Webinar Information
T
he Eye & Ear Foundation, in conjunction with the Departments of Otolaryngology and Ophthalmology at the University of Pittsburgh, has launched a new biweekly webinar series entitled “Sights and Soundbites.” The webinars are presented by department faculty members and highlight their current research initiatives and treatment strategies. These webinars have proven to be an accessible and interactive way to stay connected with patients, donors, faculty, and alumni. If you would like to register to receive webinar invites, please visit www.eyeandear.org/ webinars. To view recent webinar videos, please click on the links below: •
Hearing Aids: Everything You Need to Know
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Taking a Tour of the Skull Base Surgery Center
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The How and Why of Treating Swallowing Disorders
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Salivary Endoscopy for Salivary Stones
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Patient and Community Engagement to Improve Eyecare Delivery in Glaucoma and Other Chronic Eye Diseases
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Using Advanced Imaging to Treat and Prevent Vision Loss
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Contact Lens Safety: Benefits of New Technology
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Dry Eye: The Problem, The Solutions, The Future
To update your contact information or to share personal and professional news, please visit http://www.otolaryngology. pitt.edu / alumni - class - photos / alumni-updates
Please consider a donation to the Eye & Ear Foundation to fund our research and academic efforts.
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The official registration and financial information of the Eye & Ear Foundation may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll free, within Pennsylvania, 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.
The Eye & Ear Foundation of Pittsburgh is a nonprofit 501 (C)(3) organization. Our mission is to support the research and academic efforts of the Departments of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology at the University of Pittsburgh. Donations to support our research initiatives can be made online at eyeandear.org or by returning the enclosed envelope. For more information on the Foundation, our research, or the articles in this newsletter, please contact Katherine Troy, Director of Operations, at katherine@eyeandear.org or 412-864-1300.
