Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery Department Update Summer 2023
In This Issue Page 4
Residency and Fellowship Graduation Page 6
The Medical Minute: A Guide to Childhood Hearing Loss Page 10
International Health Mission Page 14
Innovative Departmental Research Program Page 18
Penn State Health Facial Nerve Clinic Finds Its Home
Physician Spotlight Dr. Thomas Chung is an Assistant Professor and Pediatric Otolaryngologist in the Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery. He joined the Penn State Health team in September 2021.
on to do his fellowship training at Harvard Medical School and Boston Children’s Hospital, one of the nation’s premier childrens hospitals.
Dr. Chung offers surgical remedies for the treatment of a wide range of ear, nose and throat conditions, from ear infections and sleep-disordered Dr. Chung says he choose to breathing to recurrent tonsillitis and specialize in pediatric otolaryngology laryngomalacia. because he wanted to help children with the fundamental aspects of His research interests include interacting with the world, which treatment outcomes for ear, nose include hearing, speaking, breathing, and throat problems, helping kids swallowing and sleeping. As a sleep, and using informatics to help physician, the most rewarding part doctors better care for patients. of his job is seeing kids improve to their potential and guiding parents The Office of Respectful Learning in supporting their children’s growth. accepts submissions from medical students who wish to share their Dr. Chung earned his medical stories about exceptional teachers. degree from the University of A positive note was received about Cincinnati College of Medicine a student’s experience working with and completed otolaryngology – Dr. Chung, head and neck surgery residency at the University of Washington “Dr. Chung was a wonderful teacher Medical Center in Seattle. He went in the OR. He made sure to explain the surgeries whenever it would be difficult for me to observe the cases. I also shared my specialty interests and even though I am not interested in pursuing ENT, throughout the day with him in the operating room and seeing consult patients, Dr. Chung made connections with what we were seeing to other fields I was interested in.”
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Message from the Chair We are midway through the summer here in beautiful central Pennsylvania. While the COVID-19 pandemic has receded, in its wake we have been left with staffing shortages, supply chain issues, and financial limitations. However, the Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery is successfully treating a record number of patients and continuing to thrive. With Penn State Health’s recent expansion to the West Shore and into Lancaster, we now offer otolaryngology services at Penn State Health Holy Spirit Medical Center, Penn State Health Lancaster Medical Center, Penn State Health Children’s Lancaster Pediatric Center, and the Surgery Center of Lancaster. Our exceptionally trained clinicians deliver the most advanced patient care, while training the future leaders of otolaryngology. Penn State’s residency and fellowship programs have an impressive track record of success, and you can find information about our newest fellowship program on page five. At the heart of our work is an ongoing dedication to our patients and their families, who come to us because we are trusted and experienced. Our goal is always to deliver comprehensive, skilled, compassionate, and caring otolaryngological services
throughout their diagnosis and treatment. Even so, we have members of our team extending their care and expertise to other nations and populations that greatly need it. Read about recent international health missions to Peru and the Dominican Republic on page 10.
Best wishes for a wonderful summer season.
We are engaged in our community through various support groups, health screenings, charity fundraisers, and the individual passions of team members. In April, in coordination with national oral, head and neck cancer awareness month, many team members volunteered in our free-of-charge annual community head and neck cancer screenings in both the Lancaster and Harrisburg areas. Every day, I am so proud to be able to work alongside our faculty, residents, and dedicated staff who care for our community.
David Goldenberg, MD, FACS Professor and Chair, Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery
Please explore our latest newsletter to learn more about our team and their recent accomplishments. To learn more about our current exciting work, I invite you to reach out to us or visit our website at med.psu.edu/ otolaryngology for more details. As always, we welcome your feedback, suggestions, and stories for future editions.
Connect on Doximity Connect on LinkedIn Instagram @psh_oto Twitter @PSH_OTO
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Residency and Fellowship Graduation The Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery congratulates the graduating residency and fellowship class of 2023. The celebrations began with the Inaugural Department Research Symposium, showcasing the scholarly achievements and research work of graduates, residents, and students alike. Dr. Greg Farwell, Professor and Chair of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Pennsylvania, delivered an inspiring keynote lecture on personalized head and neck cancer care.
Dr. John P. Gniady received the Faculty Teacher and Mentor Award. This award is given annually to a faculty member who consistently demonstrates their commitment to resident education through their teaching, mentorship, and advocacy.
Head and Neck Surgery. This award recognizes an otolaryngology resident within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania who demonstrates a strong work ethic, diligence, initiative, and kindness. Dr. Ziai will continue his training as a facial plastic and reconstructive surgery fellow under Dr. Paul Nassif and Dr. Babak Azizzadeh in Beverly Hills, Calif.
Dr. Allison Keane received the Extraordinary Otolaryngology Resident Award. This award is given annually to a resident that embodies the key Dr. Ciarán Lane will return to the elements of an excellent resident: University of Manitoba strong clinical acumen, teamas an Assistant oriented mentality, research prowess, Professor and Head integrity, and dedication to the and Neck Surgeon patient at all times. Dr. Keane will in the Department of A formal graduation ceremony was continue her training as a pediatric Otolaryngology – Head and held at the Hershey Gardens on June otolaryngology fellow at the Neck Surgery and Shared Health. 24, 2023. The ceremony featured University of North Carolina. speeches from the residency and Congratulations to the graduates fellowship program directors, as well Dr. Kasra Ziai was recently awarded on their remarkable achievements as speeches from the graduates. the Inaugural Ellie Goldenberg (z”l) at Penn State Health. Best wishes as The event concluded with the Legacy Award by the Pennsylvania they embark on the next chapter of presentation of diplomas and awards. Academy of Otolaryngology – their medical careers.
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Facial Plastics Fellowship Program Penn State Health is now offering an accredited fellowship in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery through the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS) Foundation. The first fellow, Dr. Heather Schopper, started in July 2023.
and career aspirations. There will also be opportunities to mentor both medical students and residents, and to perform research in an area of their interest.
One of the unique features of this program is the multidisciplinary nature in which the fellow can This program, led by fellowship spend time with colleagues in plastic program director Dr. Jessyka Lighthall surgery, oculoplastic surgery, and and co-director Dr. Scott Walen, will cosmetic dermatology. They will provide an excellent opportunity to also see patients at Esteem Penn acquire specialized knowledge and State Health Cosmetic Associates skills in the field of facial plastic and – a multidisciplinary cosmetic clinic reconstructive surgery. in Harrisburg, Pa. The fellow will also be involved in both clinical and PROGRAM DETAILS surgical treatment of facial nerve The Facial Plastic and Reconstructive disorders through the collaborative Surgery Fellowship at Hershey Facial Nerve Clinic at Hershey Medical Center is a one-year, nonMedical Center. ACGME-accredited program that accepts one fellow per year. It is The program leadership is accredited by the AAFPRS. committed to providing the highest quality care for the people of central This fellowship program is a brandnew training opportunity that covers the breadth of academic facial plastic surgery. Fellows will be exposed to both reconstructive and cosmetic cases of the face, head, and neck. Depending on the fellow’s specific interests, there will be opportunities to enrich learning within craniofacial surgery (cleft lip and palate), oculoplastic surgery, and advanced head and neck reconstructive surgery. Because this fellowship incorporates all areas of reconstructive and cosmetic facial plastic surgery, the fellow will be able to tailor their training to their individual interests
Pennsylvania while providing great clinical training, education through didactics, teaching experience, and mentorship for fellows to help them be successful in whatever endeavor follows. MEET THE INAUGURAL FELLOW Dr. Heather Schopper completed her undergraduate degree in civil and environmental engineering at Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y. She earned her medical degree from the University of Iowa and completed an otolaryngology – head and neck surgery residency at the University of Kansas. Dr. Schopper’s research focuses on exploring the role of personality factors in decision-making as well as improving communication skills development and medical education.
On abc27’s Good Day PA, Dr. Scott Walen and Dr. Jessyka Lighthall answered viewer questions regarding facial plastic and reconstructive surgery while highlighting the advanced treatment options available at Penn State Health.
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The Medical Minute: A Guide to Childhood Hearing Loss Two to three out of every 1,000 children are born with permanent childhood hearing loss. And finding out who they are can be tricky, since the patients haven’t yet developed the ability to tell you what’s wrong. But given what’s at stake, early detection is crucial. Most health systems test newborns within their first day or two, said Jill McClelland, manager of audiology at Penn State Health. McClelland holds a Doctor of Audiology and other degrees. In Pennsylvania, newborns’ hearing is screened through the Pennsylvania Hearing Screening and Intervention program, and the program aims to test babies within their first 30 days. The goal of the program is to diagnose the hearing loss within three months and enroll the child to receive treatment and intervention services by month six. The importance of the world your child listens to stretches beyond enjoying music and soundscapes. Much of a human being’s development – from how they speak to how they interact with the world – owe to the cute little satellite dishes attached to the sides of a baby’s noggin. The first steps you take to understand your child’s ability to hear can be just as important as any other decision you’ll make in their lives.
WHAT CAUSES CHILDREN TO LOSE THEIR HEARING? Sometimes, the hearing loss is genetic, and it can be hard to predict just by observing your family. Hearing loss is a recessive trait carried on the connexin 26 gene, McClelland said, so your family may not even realize it’s there until along comes your first child with a difference.
disorder called Usher Syndrome can cause hearing and vision loss over a period of years. Some children lose their hearing the same way many adults lose theirs – through external, environmental factors. Loud noises, for example. A young hunter failing to adequately protect his or her ears might suffer hearing loss. “I personally have seen children where the cause has been video games and headphones,” McClelland said.
Non-genetic illnesses in the mother can also cause hearing loss. A human ear canal generally forms in a fetus between week 20 and 25, so infections in that time span can be worrisome, McClelland said. In years past, rubella was a frequent culprit, but vaccines mostly tamped it down. These days, cytomegalovirus, or CMV, is often a problem. “We’ve seen an uptick,” McClelland said. It often has no symptoms in an adult, but in a baby, CMV can destroy a child’s ability to hear. Other causes are more benign. Doctors sometimes discover amniotic fluid in a baby’s ear canal, like they’ve had a dip in the pool and some of the water became stuck. Once it’s removed, the hearing returns to normal.
HOW DO YOU TEST A NEWBORN’S HEARING? The National Institutes of Health recommends two tests. •
But not every post-birth discovery is so kind. For example, a rare, genetic
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Otoacoustic emissions tests involve inserting an earphone into the newborn’s ear canal that
plays sounds and tests for echo responses. •
Auditory brain stem response tests include affixing electrodes to your child’s head and inserting earphones into the ears. A machine measures the brainstem’s response.
DO YOU TEST EVERY BABY? That’s the idea. “The state does a very good job with it,” McClelland said, and working through the Pennsylvania Hearing Screening and Intervention program, health care professionals manage to test about 95% of the births in the keystone state. That includes the plain community in parts of rural Lancaster County, home to some of McClelland’s patients. Midwives are often equipped with kits to perform the tests at the homes of families with new babies. However, testing doesn’t guarantee the other key ingredient of the screening program’s success – follow up visits. If the screening suggests test shows hearing loss, the parents must make follow-up visits with an audiologist to determine why. In the plain community, additional factors, such as transportation or cultural and religious beliefs, may make it hard to convince parents to follow up, McClelland said. That’s particularly worrisome in a community where some studies have shown a possible genetic predilection for hearing loss.
WHAT IF TESTING DOESN’T CATCH IT? “Follow your gut,” McClelland said. “A hearing screening is just a screening.” Watch for possibilities that your child might be struggling to hear. If you can sneak up on and startle a child easily, it might be because something is wrong. Later, you might notice the hearing loss through your child’s development. They may have trouble pronouncing certain words. Difficulty with grammar might owe itself to hearing problems. For example, if a child using a singular version of a verb or a plural version of a noun fails to recognize the S sound, it might be a hearing issue. If you suspect a problem, take your child to see your pediatrician and ask for a screening. WHAT’S THE CURE? Usually, hearing lost is gone forever – but that doesn’t mean there’s no hope.
CAMP HILL AUDIOLOGY In January 2023, the Division of Communication Sciences and Disorders expanded to Camp Hill by adding audiology services. Beth Reed (née Rosen), AuD, works with Bret Sobota, MD, to see both pediatric and adult patients for audiology and otolaryngology services. This muchneeded expansion to the West Shore has been met with an immediate demand for services. Patients have shared their joy in having a topnotch location close to home while still remaining in the Penn State Health system. Dr. Rosen provides hearing, hearing aid, and Baha services in the Camp Hill location. She continues to work in the Hershey and Lancaster locations, providing a full range of support to patients of all ages and abilities. Contact the 890 Poplar Church Road, Suite 210, Camp Hill office via phone 717-724-6320 or fax 717312-3125.
Medical science has made strides in its ability to supplement hearing. Children as young as nine months old can receive a cochlear implant, for example, which, using surgically implanted microphones, speech processors and transmitters can improve the understanding of language and help with a child’s development. As of December 2019, about 118,000 cochlear devices had been implanted in the U.S. Sixty-fivethousand of the recipients were children.
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Community Outreach SPORTING CLAY SHOOT Shooters of all skill levels came out for the 3rd Annual Sporting Clay Shoot – Targeting Head and Neck Cancer charity event, raising more than $27,000 for head and neck cancer research at Hershey Medical Center. The event took place at Palmyra Sportsmen’s Association on May 20, 2023. Thank you to all the participants, sponsors, and donors for their support.
Neck Cancer: A Matter of Facts” – discussing the latest treatments, technologies and leading-edge research at Penn State Health.
HERSHEY BEARS GAME The Otolaryngology Nursing Team took to the Giant Center, to promote head and neck cancer awareness.
CASE FOR SMILES The APP team recently volunteered to sew pillowcases to send to Penn State Health Children’s Hospital and other local pediatric centers as part of the local Case For Smiles chapter. The Case For Smiles organization works to improve the quality of life of children and their families as they undergo treatment. In 2022, the local chapter delivered 1,364 pillowcases to the Children’s Hospital.
Every year, Penn State Health hosts health and wellness educational booths on the concourse of Giant Center, in partnership with a Hershey Bears game. ATOS EDUCATION EVENT In partnership with Atos Medical, head and neck surgeons and speechlanguage pathologists presented “Getting Back to Life,” a community educational event discussing laryngectomy care.
ABC27 LIVE SHOW The head and neck cancer team was featured on abc27 News for a special live show, “Head and
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HIGHMARK WALK The rain was no match for Team Head and Neck R Us. Their ninth annual walk for head and neck cancer research was held on April 29, 2023 at Hershey Medical Center.
much less common.2 Screenings for head and neck cancer are open to everyone. However, if you have a history of using chewing tobacco, smoking cigarettes or cigars, chewing betel nut, or consuming alcohol, we strongly encourage you to get screened as these are risk factors for the development of cancer.
CANCER SCREENINGS April was Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month. Local residents of Hershey may have seen the Penn State College of Medicine crescent illuminated in burgundy and white, the colors of head and neck cancer awareness, during the month of April. The department provided free head and neck cancer screenings in Harrisburg and Lancaster. An impressive gathering of more than 25+ volunteers, including medical and physician assistant students, nurses, physician assistants, residents, and faculty came out to volunteer and support event operations. Of the 54 patients screened, nearly half were referred
for a follow-up appointment with a specialist. WHY SCREEN? Head and neck cancers account for nearly 4% of all cancers in the United States. These cancers are more than twice as common among men as they are among women. Head and neck cancers are also diagnosed more often among people over age 50.
The Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery is proud to offer free screenings and educational resources to the central Pennsylvania community. Early detection is key to preventing and treating head and neck cancers, and the team is grateful for the chance to spread awareness about this important health issue. They hope that by providing these services, they can make a positive impact on the lives of those they serve.
1 www.cancer.net/cancer-types/ Researchers estimate that more head-and-neck-cancer/statistics than 66,920 men and women in the 2 www.cancer.gov/types/head-andUnited States will be diagnosed with neck/head-neck-fact-sheet head and neck cancers in 2023.1 Most will be diagnosed with cancers of the mouth, throat, or larynx (voice box). Paranasal sinus/nasal cavity cancer and salivary gland cancer are
New baby announcements!
Kim Lombardo, PA-C, and husband Jake, welcomed their daughter Hailey on May 8, 2023.
Rachel Fultz, PA-C, and her husband Kenneth, welcomed their daughter Charlotte on October 18, 2022.
Christina Michael, PA-C, and husband Thein-An, welcomed their daughter Leia on November 30, 2022. Dr. Ashley O’Connell Ferster, resident alumni, and husband Michael, welcomed their daughter Addison on July 9, 2023.
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International Health Mission Some perform dozens of surgeries with shoddy equipment. X-ray machines fail, governments create roadblock and some of the hospital rooms were constructed hundreds of years before their home was even called the United States. But some Penn State Health doctors spend time every year helping patients in far-flung corners of the world. Sometimes, the physicians like a challenge. Others are looking to recenter themselves. Or they just want to help out in the wider world. Whatever their reasons, Penn State Health professionals are extending their care and expertise to other nations and populations that greatly need it. FINDING VOICES AND CREATING SMILES IN PERU Surgery had closed the girl’s cleft palate, but she still couldn’t find her voice.
In countries like Peru, the birth defect that occurs when a baby’s mouth doesn’t form properly continues to negatively affect lives even after surgery to fix the deformity. Most patients need follow-up surgeries. Some need four or more. Most need therapy to help them learn to speak correctly. Many can’t find work because of their inability to speak understandably. In Peru, cleft patients often find themselves removed from public life. Some spend their days locked in rooms with minimal contact with the world outside.
been visiting Peru with FACES since 2013. Her first trip was when she was a resident at Oregon Health and Sciences University in Portland, and she’s been returning nearly every year since. She and her colleagues from hospitals around the United States donate their time and pay their own expenses to perform dozens of surgeries on patients who can’t afford them. “It’s really hard work, but it’s one of the most wonderful things that we do,” she said.
In addition to performing cleft ‘ONE OF THE MOST lip and palate surgeries, FACES WONDERFUL THINGS WE DO’ volunteers work to help educate But this girl, who Dr. Jessyka the general population and local Lighthall had met in Peru through healthcare providers about the the Foundation for the Advancement condition and partner with local of Cleft Education and Services doctors to provide better continuity (FACES), had greater ambitions. She of care after the initial surgery. wanted to go to college. They provide social services to help families in need, dental care, Lighthall is Division Chief of Facial orthodontia and speech therapy. The Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery team follows these patients longat Penn State Health Milton S. term to provide all their needs. Hershey Medical Center. She has
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That’s what the girl who wanted to go to college needed - a surgery to improve her speech. Doctors had repaired a significant deformity, but many people like her who are born with cleft palate need help forming words. Her problem forced her to drop out of college. She might have gone no further, but she returned to one of the facilities where FACES was working. She received a free screening and underwent speech surgery. Her speech immediately improved. HIGH-QUALITY CARE Lighthall has worked at facilities throughout Peru, where one in every 500 to 600 children are born with cleft lip or cleft palate. She and other FACES representatives work primarily in Lambayeque and Chiclayo, cities on the northern coast, mostly at the Belen Hospital.
“We provide the same kind of highquality care in Peru that we do here in the United States,” she said. “It’s just one of the reasons I really like this group.” Stateside, Lighthall pitches in on fundraisers. During COVID, she and the other surgeons performed virtual patient screenings to identify children with cleft lip and palate deformities in need of surgery and speech therapy.
“These trips are an emotional reset for us and remind us why we got into medicine in the first place.”
They go for eight to 10 days at a time, but the relationships FACES help build and technology, like electronic medical records and telehealth, allow her to keep tabs on “We work very hard, but we get patients long after she’s gone. back probably more than we give through the emotional reset and the
relationships we build,” she said. “It’s a really lovely feeling.” HEARING HEALTH IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC Kirsten Petrarca, AuD is a co-leader of the Community Empowerment audiology program that serves the communities in Santo Domingo, Azua, and Peralta in the Dominican Republic. The team has an ongoing audiology initiative that includes newborn hearing screenings, school hearing screenings, and full audiological evaluations. They have already fit to-date 24 patients with hearing aids. Moving forward, they will continue to support the NBHS and pediatric screening programs, with over 30 new hearing aid candidates to fit within the next 1-2 years. To read more about Penn State Health professionals extending their care and expertise to other nations and populations that greatly need it, visit bit.ly/3pBbWOx.
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Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at Lancaster Medical Center: Now Offering Inspire Sleep Surgery Patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) who have not seen significant improvement from using a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine, or other therapies, can now access an alternative novel treatment in Lancaster County. Dr. Guy Slonimksy, head and neck surgical oncologist, recently completed the first Inspire therapy procedure at Penn State Health Lancaster Medical Center. Since 2018, this procedure was only available at Hershey Medical Center. Lancaster Medical Center officially opened in October 2022. The 341,000-square-foot, six-story medical center includes 132 private inpatient beds, an emergency department and various specialty inpatient services.
Inspire therapy is an innovative surgical OSA treatment option for patients who do not receive a consistent benefit from a CPAP machine. It can also help patients who cannot tolerate the CPAP machine due to claustrophobia or due to the loud noise. Inspire is an implantable device that works with the body’s natural breathing process, continuously monitoring breathing patterns during sleep. Based on an individual’s unique
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cadence, the system delivers mild stimulation to key airway muscles and keeps them open during sleep. Inspire is easily activated with a remote, allowing users to turn it on at bedtime and turn it off in the morning when they wake up. Currently, two surgeons perform the procedure – Dr. Neerav Goyal at Hershey Medical Center and Dr. Slonimsky at Lancaster Medical Center. To make an appointment with the experts at Penn State Health, call 717531-6822 and select option 1, then option 2, or email SleepWell@PennStateHealth.psu. edu.
“It’s definitely the best thyroid RFA hands-on training course that has happened in the USA so far.” - Rudy Garay, President of RGS Healthcare
Thyroid Radiofrequency Ablation Hands-On Training Course The first-ever Penn State Health Thyroid Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) Course was held on June 2-3, 2023. Over 20 participants from around the world traveled to Hershey for a hands-on training experience that offers a unique ability to learn this technique under the direct supervision of leaders in the field. Led by course faculty Dr. David Goldenberg, Dr. Leonardo Rangel of Rio de Janerio, and Dr. Ralph Tufano of Sarasota Memorial – along with course coordinator Tiffany Heikel, PA-C. RFA is an outpatient image-guided thermal ablative procedure that is a potential alternative to surgery for treating symptomatic benign nodules. This approach eliminates the need for general anesthesia, incision, or thyroid gland removal, making it an attractive nonsurgical option.
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Innovative Departmental Research Program Since establishment as an official department in 2019, the Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery has built an innovative and diverse research team. Over the years, the department has introduced a oneyear research-track resident position, along with medical student research positions and a dedicated proposal and award coordinator. Learn more about the departmental personnel currently in these roles.
and other big data analytical approaches to enhance diagnostic tools and study patient outcomes. Under the mentorship of Dr. David Goldenberg and Dr. James Broach at Penn State’s Institute for Personalized Medicine, he has continued to carry forward longitudinal basic science and clinical projects, primarily focused on head and neck cancer genomics. Ongoing research has encompassed studying the impact of genome instability on human papillomavirus integration in oropharyngeal cancer, genetic differences between younger and older patients with tongue cancer, and sleep patterns in primary hyperparathyroidism patients before and after parathyroidectomy.
RESEARCH-TRACK RESIDENT Christopher Tseng, MD, completed his undergraduate degrees in biology and computer science at Emory University, where his research primarily focused on machine learning and malaria transcriptomics. He continued to Rutgers New Jersey Medical School to complete his medical education. As a medical student, he pursued research applying machine learning
Highlights of Dr. Tseng’s research year have included concluding a mouse model study on familial thyroid cancer, an endeavor seven years in the making, and expanding a new protocol for better
Analysis of Genomic Differences Between Young and Elderly Tongue Cancers
understanding human papillomavirus integration sites in host human genomes. He has also started work on new basic science investigations, such as examining the genomic changes driving aggressive thyroid malignancies. During this time, Dr. Tseng has maintained his personal research interest in exploring the extensive intersections of technology and medicine in otolaryngology and translating those innovations to the clinical setting. He is currently involved in multiple projects applying machine learning, natural language processing, and other computational techniques to investigate clinical research questions from a more technologically focused angle. Moreover, he has continued to foster interdisciplinary partnership with like-minded collaborators and further development of technical resources, aiming for otolaryngology to be at the forefront of artificial intelligence-driven clinical research at Penn State.
Christopher C. Tseng, MD1, David Y. Goldrich, MD1, Brandon LaBarge, MD1, Emily N. Milarachi, MD, MSCI1, Neerav Goyal, MD, MPH1, James R. Broach, PhD2, David Goldenberg, MD1 1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA 2Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA 3.
Methods
Genomic comparison between young (<40 years old) and elderly (>60 years old) tongue cancers: 1. Medical chart review for patient demographics and clinicopathologic characteristics. 2. Bionano ultra-high molecular weight DNA extraction and optical genome mapping (OGM) of tumor and corresponding whole blood samples. 3. Rare variant analysis to identify structural variants (SVs). 4. Filtered inherited SVs with Bionano HG38 control database. 5. Filtered patient-specific SVs with patient whole blood References using variant annotation pipeline. 6. Compared OGM-detected SVs to the Catalogue of Somatic Mutations in Cancer (COSMIC) database of curated human cancer mutations.
Young (N=5) 34.4 80% (4/5) 40% (2/5) 60% (3/5)
Mean Age (yr) Male Alcohol History Smoking History
Elderly (N=13) 71.5 61.5% (8/13) 76.9% (10/13) 92.3% (12/13)
FADD 4%
Stage I Stage II Stage III Stage IV Nodal Metastasis Mean Tumor Size, greatest dimension (mm) Mean Tumor Depth (mm) Extranodal Extension (ENE) Perineural Invasion (PNI) Pathology Lymphovascular Invasion (LVI) Positive Surgical Margins Moderately/Well Differentiated Poorly Differentiated Recurrence Outcomes 1-Year Survival Cancer Stage
Young (N=5) 0 0 0 100% (5/5) 80% (4/5)
Elderly (N=13) 15.4% (2/13) 15.4% (2/13) 30.8% (4/13) 38.5% (5/13) 46.2% (6/13)
42.6 (n=5) 19.4 (n=5) 60% (3/5) 60% (3/5) 40% (2/5) 0% (0/5) 60% (3/5) 40% (2/5) 40% (2/5) 80% (4/5)
33.9 (n=13) 15 (n=12) 38.5% (5/13) 53.8% (7/13) 15.4% (2/13) 7.7% (1/13) 91.7% (11/12) 8.3% (1/12) 7.7% (1/13) 90% (9/10)
0.00
38.46
19.00 9.20 8.31
10.92
Insertions
Deletions
10.20 2.40 3.62 Inversions Young
6.69
11.40
GPHN 4%
Results
BRCA1 4% NFE2L2 4% NBN 4% NBEA 4% BRAF 4%
AFDN 7%
CTNND1 4% IKZF3 4% CNTNAP2 4%
PTPRD 7% CDKN2A 4% DDX3X 4%
USP9X 4%
LRP1B 4%
MPL 4%
Figure 2. COSMIC somatic mutations among young tongue cancers
CHIC2 2%
CCND2 2% CCND1 2% PDGFRA 2%
FADD SH2B3 2% 2%
FBXW7 FSTL3 TMPRSS2 ANK1 2% 2% 2% 2% KAT6A 2%
FIP1L1 2%
IKBKB 2% HOOK3 2%
MDM2 4%
TP53 2% ERBB4 2% CBLB 2%
ETV6 2%
52.20
30.00
10.00
AKT3 4%
SDHD 4%
50.00
20.00
XPO1 4%
MEN1 4%
CDKN1B 2%
40.00
AFF3 4%
POU2AF1 4%
Table 2. Clinicopathologic characteristics and outcomes 60.00
NUMA1 4%
CCND1 4%
Table 1. Patient demographics
Mean SVs/sample
Background
The incidence of tongue cancer among younger patients without traditional risk factors is increasing relative to older patients with significant histories of smoking and alcohol use1. Clinically, tongue cancers in young adults have historically been considered a particularly aggressive disease compared to their elderly counterparts1. Despite the distinct contrasts between these two groups, current literature is conflicting on the clinical and genomic mutational differences. While some studies have identified significant differences in prognosis and clinical course based on age, others have not2-3. Prior genomic analyses utilizing short-read sequencing have generally concluded that their mutational profiles are similar, though differences in TP53 mutation prevalence have been noted1,4-5. Bionano optical genome mapping can help identify large/complex structural variants that may differ between young and elderly tongue cancer which have yet to be detected by current sequencing methods.
NUMA1 4%
RGS7 4%
LRIG3 2% EPHA7 2% EPHA3 2%
FHIT 2% LARP4B 4%
8.92
ZFHX3 2%
Duplications Translocations
Total
Old
Figure 1. Mean SVs of young vs. elderly tongue cancers after filtering inherited SVs (N=18)
References 1. Paderno A, Morello R, Piazza C. Tongue carcinoma in young adults: a review of the literature. Acta Otorhinolaryngol Ital. 2018;38(3):175-180. doi:10.14639/0392-100X-1932 2. Hyam DM, Conway RC, Sathiyaseelan Y, et al. Tongue cancer: do patients younger than 40 do worse?. Aust Dent J. 2003;48(1):50-54. doi:10.1111/j.1834-7819.2003.tb00009.x 3. Mizuno K, Takeuchi M, Kikuchi M, Omori K, Kawakami K. Outcomes in patients diagnosed with tongue cancer before and after the age of 45 years. Oral Oncol. 2020;110:105010. doi:10.1016/j.oraloncology.2020.105010 4. Campbell BR, Chen Z, Faden DL, et al. The mutational landscape of early- and typical-onset oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma. Cancer. 2021;127(4):544-553. doi:10.1002/cncr.33309 5. Li R, Faden DL, Fakhry C, et al. Clinical, genomic, and metagenomic characterization of oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma in patients who do not smoke. Head Neck. 2015;37(11):1642-1649. doi:10.1002/hed.23807
MYH9 2%
ACKR3 2% CD79B 2% PTPRD 2% DEK 2%
PTPRT PTPRB 2% 2%
HLF 2%
HMGA2 4%
RAD51B 4% CDK6 2%
FNBP1 2%
GPHN 2%
FAT1 2% PTPRK 2% CDKN2A 2% NUP214 2%
KRAS 2% CCNB1IP1 2%
Figure 3. COSMIC somatic mutations among elderly tongue cancers
• A total of 18 tongue cancer samples (5 young and 13 elderly) were analyzed. • Higher proportions of elderly compared to young tongue cancer patients had history of alcohol use (76.9% vs 40%, p=0.14) and tobacco use (92.3% vs 60%, p=0.10). • Young tongue cancer patients experienced significantly higher rates of stage IV cancer at initial presentation (100% vs 38.5%, p=0.02). • After filtering inherited SVs, young tongue cancers showed generally higher, albeit not significantly different, numbers of somatic SVs (60.20 vs 50.31, p=0.58). • Comparison of OGM-detected SVs to the COSMIC database yielded 25 unique somatic mutations for young tongue cancers and 47 for elderly. • Distinct clusters of common somatic mutations were identified based on age group, including BRCA1 and BRAF among young tongue cancers, and TP53 and MDM2 among elderly tongue cancers.
Conclusions Applying optical genome mapping, our study demonstrated that young tongue cancers tend to have more genomic structural variants than older tongue cancers. In addition, each age group was associated with a distinct cluster of somatic mutations based on COSMIC analysis. Acquiring and analyzing additional young tongue cancer samples are important next steps to further clarify the clinical and genomic differences between young and elderly tongue cancers. This research was supported by grants from the George L. Laverty Foundation.
Dr. Christopher Tseng, Research-Track Resident, first place tie for virtual poster presentation at the 2023 Resident and Fellow Research Day.
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RESEARCH MEDICAL STUDENTS The department welcomed two research medical students to serve for one full year starting in May 2023. They will be mentored by Dr. Neerav Goyal and Dr. Jessyka Lighthall. Bao Sciscent grew up in New York City and completed undergraduate at the University of Buffalo.
As a research medical student, she hopes to become familiar with the many specialties of the field, with a current interest in pediatric otolaryngology and head and neck cancers particularly those involving crossovers with neurosurgery (skull base).
roles. Hanel founded the Penn State Medical Education Interest Group to increase visibility and interest in medical education and hopes to connect her interests to her research. PROPOSAL AND AWARD COORDINATOR Research and scholarship play a critical role in higher education, local communities and within broader society. Penn State College of Medicine supports and encourages members of the department as they pursue and compete for extramural funding that will initiate, advance and sustain research, scholarship and institutional initiatives.
Outside of medical school, Bao volunteers with the Muscular Dystrophy Association as a summer camp counselor for pediatric patients with muscular dystrophy. She has also piloted a chemistry program in Buffalo that invites high school students from underserved public schools to learn about and participate in hands-on chemistry lab projects. During the beginning of the With a growing faculty and COVID-19 pandemic, she worked research team, Jackie full-time at CityMD in Manhattan. Ricords was hired as the department’s Hanel Eberly is the second medical proposal and award student to provide coordinator. Her research support to the mission is to assist department. She grew principal investigators, project up in South Korea, directors, and collaborators to then returned to the increase grant activity. Her work will states to attend Brigham be in identifying funders, developing Young University. She completed a strategies for seeking external gap year working in a basic science support, submitting proposals to lab on Parkinson’s disease research. public and private organizations, and managing institutional, federal and Hanel’s goal for her research year research compliance regulations. is to become familiar with and conduct a wide variety of research In the last several years, the projects as she continues to learn Department of Otolaryngology – more about the field and works with Head and Neck Surgery grant efforts the department. She is currently have continued to successfully interested in the specialties of facial obtain funding. In the first quarter plastic and reconstructive surgery of 2023, the department has led and pediatric otolaryngology. or participated in over 20 grant applications, tripling the applications She has a personal interest in from the previous year. medical education and mentorship, with experience in many teaching
RECENT GRANTS/AWARDS David Goldenberg, MD awarded grant from the George Laverty Foundation for Characterizing Genomic Markers Underlying Thyroid Cancer Progression. Karen Y. Choi, MD awarded grant from Karl Storz Endovision and DePuy Synthes for 2023 Otolaryngology Surgical Skills and Cadaver Dissection Course. Jessyka Lighthall, MD, Kasra Ziai, MD, Jacqueline Tucker, MD, Cathy Henry, MD, and Madison Oxford awarded departmental grant for Comparison of Pediatric and Adult Mandibular Fractures: Identifying Differences in Presentation and Management Using a National Trauma Database. Jacqueline Tucker, MD, Tiffany Heikel, PA-C, Erin Sarsfield, MSN, RN, Alissa Nolden, PhD, John Hayes, PhD, and Neerav Goyal, MD awarded departmental grant for Dysgeusia and Anosmia in Head and Neck Cancer Patients: Long Term Outcomes. Madison Hearn, MS, Neerav Goyal, MD, Karen Y. Choi, MD, Guy Slonimsky, MD, Jennifer Moss, PhD, and Tonya King, PhD awarded departmental grant for Educating Patients about HNS in Rural Appalachia – A Health Literacy Approach. Neerav Goyal, MD, David Goldenberg, MD, Thomas Chung, MD, Christopher Tseng, MD Vida Abedi, PhD, and Christian Park, DO, MBA awarded grant from AIBI Pilot for Funding Machine Learning Analysis of Thyroid Mass CT Imaging.
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“Thank you for the honor of participating in your inaugural research day celebration. An impressive department!” - Dr. D. Gregory Farwell, Chair of Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Pennsylvania
Inaugural Department Research Symposium The Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery celebrated its Inaugural Department Research Symposium on June 23, 2023. This event showcased the scholarly work of talented residents and medical students. Among the highlights of the event were special presentations by graduating chief residents and keynote speaker, Dr. Greg Farwell from University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Farwell presented an inspiring lecture on personalized head and neck cancer care.
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of domestic abuse. In addition to her musical and theatrical gifts, Ellie was known for her passion, dedication, loyalty and work ethic, said her father, Dr. David Goldenberg. “Ellie cared about those she loved like no other,” he said. “She did all she could for you when you were sad, cheered you on when you succeeded and, most importantly, pushed you to be your very best self.”
The Inaugural Ellie Goldenberg (z”l) Memorial Lecture Dr. David Goldenberg, Professor and Department Chair of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, honored the life and legacy of his daughter in the Inaugural Ellie Goldenberg (z”l) memorial lecture on May 8, 2023. In his talk, titled “From Cradle to Grave: The Lifespan of a Singer’s Voice,” he described the evolution of a singer’s voice over their lifetime in the context of the human voice as a science and singing as an art.
on topics related to the intersection of medicine and the fine arts. HONORING ELLIE’S LEGACY The day before her death, Ellie had graduated magna cum laude from the University of Miami’s prestigious bachelor of fine arts program, and she was the only student in her class to be awarded the Friends of the Theatre Award by the program.
An accomplished actor and singer, Ellie showed early promise as a Dr. Goldenberg and his wife, Dr. performer while a young student Renee Flax-Goldenberg, created the at Beth Tfiloh Dahan School in endowed lecture to honor the life of Baltimore. By the end of high school, their daughter, Ellie, who died in an Ellie had performed in at least 23 airboat accident on May 13, 2017, productions, many of which she while on a family trip celebrating her starred in. She also performed in college graduation. community theatre. After high school, she traveled to Israel for a The Ellie Goldenberg Memorial gap year, working with underserved Lecture endowment supports events immigrant populations and victims
The family also reflected on Ellie’s passion for singing. “Ellie was always singing,” said her mother, Dr. Renee Flax-Goldenberg. “She would sing when she was happy, when she was sad and when she was angry. When Ellie sang, we would stop whatever we were doing to listen. Ellie did everything with purpose and determination and with all her heart.” Visit bit.ly/44tvPGs to watch the lecture recording.
THE INAUGURAL ELLIE GOLDENBERG MEMORIAL LECTURE
FROM CRADLE TO GRAVE THE LIFESPAN OF A SINGER’S VOICE
MAY 8, 2023 JUNKER AUDITORIUM 5 : 0 0 - 6 : 0 0 P. M .
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Penn State Health Facial Nerve Clinic Finds Its Home Recently relocated from 30 Hope Drive, the multidisciplinary Facial Nerve Clinic has found its home in the Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery Clinic in the University Physician Center, Suite 400 at Hershey Medical Center. Dr. Jessyka Lighthall is the clinic director and leads a core multidisciplinary team of two specialized facial nerve therapists, Nicole Fisher, MS, CCC-SLP and Madeleine Schroll, OTD, OTR/L and Dr. Cathy Henry in the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. This team provides medical management, minimally invasive therapies, surgical interventions, and specialized facial rehabilitation to patients with facial nerve disorders. In addition, adult and pediatric neurologists, neurosurgeons, neurotologists, ophthalmologists, head and neck oncologists, rheumatologists and infectious disease specialists work on cases as needed. “These patients and disorders are very complex, so we found a location where we can pull in team members from multiple different subspecialties to take care of them,” Lighthall said. “It’s a place where you can be holistically treated.” The goal of the Facial Nerve Clinic to improve facial symmetry, function, and quality of life for patients.
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Your Gift Fuels Success Philanthropy inspires innovation and paves the way for healthier futures for patients. Gifts to the Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery advance surgical care in the operating room and clinic, enable us to explore innovative research ideas, and train the next generation of great surgical leaders. INTRODUCING THE GEORGE H. CONNER ALUMNI SOCIETY Dr. George Conner, founding chief of what is now the Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, retired in 1994 after more than 20 years of service. During his tenure, Dr. Conner established a full-time academic, research-oriented division and recruited outstanding faculty with the installment of a residency training program. In recognition of his invaluable impact, the Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery officially established the George H. Conner Alumni Society in 2022. All donors of $5,000 or more will be recognized as Founder-level members of the George H. Conner Alumni Society.
otolaryngology departments. Please consider making a gift by December 31, 2023. Your charitable gift is tax-deductible. For any questions, or to pledge your gift over more than one year, please contact Owen Thomas in the Office of Development at 717-531-8497 or oit1@psu.edu. TEMPORAL BONE LAB Modern training equipment and labs are becoming increasingly important as Penn State Health Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery advances. Our Temporal Bone Lab is currently undergoing expansion efforts to double its size, alongside updates to its microscopes and drills. To cover the costs of this worthy project, we need your continued support. Donations to this project can be made online at med.psu.edu/ otolaryngology/giving.
ANNUAL GEORGE H. CONNER VISITING PROFESSOR LECTURE The George H. Conner Visiting Professor Lectures have been held at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center nearly every year since 1995. For this year’s lecture, the Department welcomed Dr. Steven Zeitels who presented an insightful lecture entitled, “Innovations in Laryngeal Surgery.” Dr. Zeitels is the Eugene B. Casey Professor of Laryngeal Surgery at Harvard Medical School and the Director of the Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Laryngeal Surgery and Voice Rehabilitation. He has authored more than 200 scientific articles, book chapters and videos on larynx and pharynx surgery. Dr. Zeitels is widely regarded as a prolific surgical innovator having designed numerous new voice restoration procedures and instruments. L to R: Drs. Steven Zeitels, George Conner, David Goldenberg, John P. Gniady.
Your gift will inspire others and help us continue to be one of the nation’s most rigorous and competitive We invite you to join us in advancing the future of health care. Giving makes a difference – thank you for your support. Questions? Contact Owen Thomas at 717-531-8497 or oit1@psu.edu.
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Publications, Presentations, Awards RECENT PUBLICATIONS Fedok FG, Lighthall JG. Evaluation and Treatment Planning for the Aging Face Patient. Clin Plast Surg. May 2023. Kulkarni P, Tucker J, King T, Goldenberg D. Symptomatic versus asymptomatic primary hyperparathyroidism: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Clin Transl Endocrinol. Mar 2023.
tients taking proton pump inhibitors. Maxillofac Surg. Apr 2023. Am J Otolaryngol. Apr 2023. Yingst JM, Carrillo M, Chan KH, Lorenz JF, Mahase SS, Miccio J, King Choi K, Dao, J, Kulkarni P, Bordner TS, Pradhan S, Goyal N. Update on C, Goyal N, Foulds J, Bascom R. adherence to guidelines for time to Effectiveness of smoking cessation initiation of postoperative radiation interventions among persons for head and neck squamous cell with cancer: A systematic review. carcinoma. Head Neck. Apr 2023. Psychooncology. May 2023. Pool C, Moroco A, Lighthall JG. Utilizing Virtual Surgical Planning and Patient-Specific Cutting Guides as an Adjunct in Microtia Repair with Autologous Costal Cartilage Graft. Plast Reconstr Surg. Jun 2023.
Ziai K, Agarwal A, Daher GS, Saadi RA, Lighthall JG. Facial Paralysis Referral Patterns to a Multidisciplinary Facial Nerve Clinic. Facial Plast Surg Aesthet Med. Feb 2023.
LaBarge B, Lorenz JF, Ayala A, King TS, Gniady JP. Comparison of Voice Therapy Outcomes: Clinic vs Telehealth. J Voice. May 2023.
Rosi-Schumacher M, Patel S, Phan C, Goyal N. Understanding Financial Toxicity in Patients with Head and Neck Cancer: A Systematic Review. Clin Med Insights Oncol. Jan 2023.
Lane C, Lin A, Goyal N. Scalp and Calvarium Reconstruction. Otolaryngol Clin North Am. May 2023.
Sand J, Walen S. Noninvasive Hair Rejuvenation. Clin Plast Surg. May 2023.
Ziai K, Patel S, Crenshaw M, Saadi R, Goldenberg D, Lighthall JG. Association of Practice Setting and Scholarly Activity With Medicolegal Claims in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. Ear Nose Throat J. Feb 2023.
LaBarge B, Gniady JP. Subglottic stenosis. Oper Tech Otolayngol Head Neck Surg. May 2023.
Schiff E, Propst EJ, McGinn J Levy B, Baughn LB, Akkari Y, et al. Pediatric Tracheostomy Chartrand S, LaBarge B, Claxton Emergency Readiness Assessment D, Lennon PA, Cujar C, Kolhe R, Tool: International Consensus Kroeger K, Pitel B, Sahajpal N, Sathanoori M, Vlad G, Zhang L, Fang Recommendations. Laryngoscope. M, Kanagal-Shamanna R, Broach JR. Apr 2023. Optical Genome Mapping in Acute Shokri T, Patel S, Weller C, Lighthall Myeloid Leukemia: A Multicenter JG. A Surgeon’s Armamentarium Evaluation. Blood Adv. Apr 2023. for Ocular Management in Facial Lighthall JG. Clinics in Plastic Surgery, Paralysis: A Comprehensive Review. J Guest Editor. Issue titled “Injectables Craniofac Surg. Jan 2023. and Nonsurgical Rejuvenation.” May 2023. Lorenz JF, Goldenberg D. Hypocalcemia after parathyroidectomy in pa-
Tucker J, Goldenberg D, Brandon C, King TS, Ziai K, Lighthall JG. Limited Efficacy of Empiric Antibiotics for Pediatric Facial Fractures. J Oral
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RECENT PRESENTATIONS Baroz A. Does having a COVID-19 Infection Impact Septorhinoplasty Outcomes. Pennsylvania Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery Annual Scientific Meeting. Lancaster, PA. June 2023. Oral Presentation. Carlisle KM, Choi KY. Effectiveness of Social Media Advertising on HPV Vaccination in Adult Men. Combined Otolaryngology Spring Meetings. Boston, MA. May 2023. Poster Presentation. Choi KY. Exploring Controversies in Management of Cutaneous Malignant Melanoma of the
Head and Neck. American Head & Neck Society Virtual Education Series. Virtual. May 2023. Panel Presentation. Eberly H, Chung T. National Trends in Pediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnea Diagnosis & Treatment Utilization Among Various Racial Groups. Combined Otolaryngology Spring Meetings. Boston, MA. May 2023. Oral Presentation. Eberly H. Efficacy of Fibrin Sealants in Reducing Postoperative Complications in Facial Plastic Surgery. Pennsylvania Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery Annual Scientific Meeting. Lancaster, PA. June 2023. Poster Presentation. Goldenberg D. Demographics of Thyroid Cancer in the Setting of Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis. Pennsylvania Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery Annual Scientific Meeting. Lancaster, PA. June 2023. Poster Presentation. Goldenberg D. Evolution of Thyroid Surgery and Interventional Thyroidology. Rio de Janeiro State University. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Feb 2023. Oral Presentation. Goldenberg D. HPV - Prevention, Nonsurgical and Surgical Management and Next Generation of Surgical Trials for HPV+ OP CA. Triological Society Combined Sections Meeting. San Diego, CA. Jan 2023. Panel Presentation. Goldenberg D, Kulkarni P, Lorenz J, Goyal N. Total Thyroidectomy for Patients with Uncontrolled
Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis. Triological Society Combined Sections Meeting. San Diego, CA. Jan 2023. Poster Presentation.
Patients Drool: A review of chemodenervation of the salivary glands. The Society of Physician Assistants in Otorhinolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery ENT for Goldenberg D. Reproductive Factors, the PA-C Annual Conference. breast cancer and risk of Thyroid Los Angeles, CA. Mar 2023. Oral Cancer. Thyroid Cancer International Presentation. Meeting. Sao Paulo, Brazil. Feb 2023. Oral Presentation. Henry C, Lighthall J. Making an Impact: Evaluation & Treatment of Goldenberg D, Slonimsky G. Patients with Post-Paralysis Facial Hypoglossal Nerve Schwannoma Synkinesis. Pennsylvania Academy Presenting as a Submandibular of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Mass. Triological Society Combined Surgery Annual Scientific Meeting. Sections Meeting. San Diego, CA. Lancaster, PA. June 2023. Oral Jan 2023. Poster Presentation. Presentation. Goldenberg D. Thyroidectomy in patients who have undergone gastric bypass surgery. Risk and treatment of Hypoparathyroidism. Sao Paulo, Brazil. Feb 2023. Oral Presentation. Goldrich D. Diversity & Disparities in Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery. Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. Virtual. Feb 2023. Panel Presentation. Goyal N. Introductory Course: Maxillary Reconstruction. International Federation of Otorhinolaryngological Societies ENT World Congress Meeting. Dubai, UAE. Jan 2023. Oral Presentation. Hearn M, King T, Goyal N. Exploring Predictors of Health Literacy in an Academic Otolaryngology Clinic. Pennsylvania Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery Annual Scientific Meeting. Lancaster, PA. June 2023. Poster Presentation. Heikel T. Botox Rules when
Holbein M, Adhikary S, Brody R, Goyal N. Patient Safety: ERAS/ Pain Management After Surgery. Pennsylvania Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery Annual Scientific Meeting. Lancaster, PA. June 2023. Panel Presentation. Hoskins M, Piper M, Bhania D, Strausser S, Mansfield K, Lighthall JG, Burns A. Importance of Factors in Residency Decision Making for Female Otolaryngology Applications. Combined Otolaryngology Spring Meetings. Boston, MA. May 2023. Poster Presentation. Kochhar A, Banks CA, Hadlock TA, Lighthall JG, Oyer SL, Revenaugh PC. Advances in the Management of Facial Paralysis and Facial Reanimation Surgery. Combined Otolaryngology Spring Meetings. Boston, MA. May 2023. Panel Presentation. Kulkarni P, Goldenberg D, Liu G, Dennis E, Wilson MN. Medication
PENN STATE HEALTH OTOLARYNGOLOGY – HEAD AND NECK SURGERY | 21
Use in Pediatric Pituitary Surgery. North American Skull Base Society Annual Meeting. Tampa, FL. Feb 2023. Oral Presentation. Kulkarni P, Lorenz J, Goldenberg D, Goyal N. Celiac Disease as a Risk Factor for Hypocalcemia Following Parathyroidectomy: A TriNetX Study. Triological Society Combined Sections Meeting. San Diego, CA. Jan 2023. Poster Presentation. Rizzo K, Eisler L, Heikel T, Woodhead B, DeMaio-DeAngelis D, Stinnett S. Business Practice: Use of Physician Extenders in Otolaryngology. Pennsylvania Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery Annual Scientific Meeting. Lancaster, PA. June 2023. Panel Presentation. Tibbetts K, Yen D, Gniady JP. Procedural ENT. Pennsylvania Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery Annual Scientific Meeting. Lancaster, PA. June 2023. Panel Presentation. Tseng C, Goldrich D, LaBarge B, Milarachi E, Goyal N, Broach J, Goldenberg D. Analysis of Genomic Differences Between Young and Elderly Tongue Cancers. Penn State Health Resident and Fellow Research Day. Hershey, PA. Apr 2023. Poster Presentation. Tseng C. Analysis of the Genomic Difference Between Young and Older Patients with Oral Tongue Cancer. Pennsylvania Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery Annual Scientific Meeting. Lancaster, PA. June 2023. Oral Presentation.
Tseng C. The Use of Actigraphy to Assess Sleep Improvement After Parathyroidectomy. Pennsylvania Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery Annual Scientific Meeting. Lancaster, PA. June 2023. Poster Presentation. Walen S. Skin Cancer Removal & Facial Reconstruction Procedures in Otolaryngology. Otolaryngology Student Interest Group. Hershey, PA. Feb 2023. Oral Presentation. RECENT AWARDS Eberly H. Second Place Poster Presentation for “Efficacy of Fibrin Sealants in Reducing Postoperative Complications in Facial Plastic Surgery.” Pennsylvania Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery Annual Scientific Meeting. Lancaster, PA. June 2023. Fies V. Medical Group Employee of the Month. Penn State Health. Hershey, PA. May 2023.
Keane A. Extraordinary Otolaryngology Resident Award. Penn State Health Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery. Hershey, PA. Jun 2023. Tseng C. First Place Poster Presentation for “The Use of Actigraphy to Assess Sleep Improvement After Parathyroidectomy.” Pennsylvania Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery Annual Scientific Meeting. Lancaster, PA. June 2023. Tseng C. First Place Virtual Poster Presentation for “Analysis of Genomic Differences Between Young And Elderly Tongue Cancers.” Penn State Resident and Fellow Research Day. April 2023. Ziai K. The Ellie Goldenberg (z”l) Legacy Award. Pennsylvania Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery Annual Scientific Meeting. Lancaster, PA. June 2023.
Gniady JP. 2022-2023 Dean’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. Penn State College of Medicine. Hershey, PA. April 2023. Gniady JP. Faculty Teaching and Mentorship Award. Penn State Health Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery. Hershey, PA. Jun 2023. Goyal N. Physician of the Month. Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. Hershey, PA April 2023. Lighthall JG. Physician Health Care Hero. Central Penn Business Journal. Feb 2023.
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Submit Your News! Share your exciting personal or professional news for future issues of this newsletter. Please contact Abby Thom (athom@ pennstatehealth.psu.edu) in the Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery.
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JOIN OUR GROWING TEAM! Are you a recent graduate, looking to relocate, or searching for something new? Penn State Health is offering exciting opportunities for otolaryngologists of all subspecialties in either academic or community-based settings. Penn State Health is a multi-hospital health system serving patients and communities across 29 counties in central Pennsylvania. It employs more than 16,500 people systemwide. Our tertiary academic center is seeking head and neck oncologists, facial plastic and reconstructive surgeons, and pediatric otolaryngologists to further expand our growing established clinical programs. Community positions are available for comprehensive otolaryngologists and those with subspecialty training to build our current practices and further develop in newer markets. A career at Penn State Health is truly a one-of-a-kind experience. It’s an opportunity to be a part of a team that’s changing lives every day. For more information, please contact: David Goldenberg, MD, FACS Chair, Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery Penn State Health and Penn State College of Medicine c/o Ashley Nippert, Physician Recruiter anippert@pennstatehealth.psu.edu
Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center 500 University Drive, MC H091 Hershey, PA 17033-0850