Pitt Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery

This past weekend, the Pitt Department Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery took part in the Rush to Crush Cancer, supporting UPMC Hillman Cancer Center.
Rush to Crush Cancer brings together communities with a shared mission, vision, and purpose—to amplify the voices of patients and survivors and help accelerate the science needed to end cancer.

The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine celebrated its graduation this past weekend, and the Department of Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery is proud to recognize seven graduates who will continue their training in otolaryngology residency programs across the country.
Alison Choi will join Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Shirley Xiaosu Liu will train at Henry Ford Hospital, Natasha Mayer is headed to Loyola University Medical Center, Karen Fendi Obuekwe will continue at the University of Miami Jackson Health System, Hannah Piston will remain at UPMC, Pooja Reddy is joining Massachusetts General Brigham, and Anthony Tang will train at Stanford Health Care.
Please join us in congratulating these graduates on their hard work and wishing them continued success in the next chapter of their careers.

TODAY is the day!

Join us tonight for a FREE Head & Neck Cancer Info Session & Screening with Pitt experts.

5:30–7:00 PM
📍 Pitt Homewood CEC, 622 N Homewood Ave

Registration: https://pitt.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eXqmSp2d3v8KlZc
Questions? Contact: [email protected]

Our researchers are working on gene therapies for hearing loss. Read the latest here:
https://eyeandear.org/2026/04/gene-therapies-for-hearing-loss/

Gene Therapies for Hearing Loss - Eye & Ear Foundation of Pittsburgh Chris Cunningham, PhD, Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, has made a lot of progress in preclinical work developing a gene therapy for congenital hearing loss associated with mutations [...]Read More... from Gene Therapies for Hearing Loss

This Thursday!

The University of Pittsburgh Dept. of Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery invites you to a FREE Head & Neck Cancer Info Session & Screening.

📅 May 21 | 5:30–7:00 PM
📍 Pitt Homewood CEC

Questions? Email [email protected]
🔗 Register now: https://pitt.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eXqmSp2d3v8KlZc

Great ideas start with asking the right questions.
Pittsburgh CREATES is dedicated to identifying unmet needs in healthcare by listening, researching, and understanding real challenges from diverse perspectives. Whether you have an idea or are just beginning your journey as an innovator, the program helps guide you through a process focused on the problem, the people it affects, and measurable impact.
Learn more and get involved: https://www.otolaryngology.pitt.edu/divisions/pittsburgh-creates

Pittsburgh CREATES | Department of Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery Pittsburgh CREATES is committed to addressing unmet needs in healthcare innovation by focusing on understanding the problems that need solving. One of the core principles of the organization is conducting thorough user research to gain diverse perspectives on these challenges, ensuring that any inno...

What a spring for Pitt Otolaryngology! 🌍

Dr. Carl Snyderman spent the season representing the University of Pittsburgh Department of Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery on an international stage — delivering invited lectures in Geneva, Switzerland and Rome, Italy, and presenting alongside Dr. Eric Wang at the Congress of European ORL–Head & Neck Surgery in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Their presentations covered some of the most pressing topics in the field: the evolving limits of endoscopic skull base surgery, advances in juvenile angiofibroma treatment, management of complications in endoscopic sinus and skull base surgery, treatment for osteoradionecrosis, and innovative simulation protocols for ICA injury management.

It's a testament to the incredible talent and dedication within our department — and a reminder of the real-world impact this work has on patients around the globe. We couldn't be more proud.

We’re proud to bring a FREE Head & Neck Cancer screening and info session to the Homewood community.

Join Pitt experts on Thursday, May 21 to learn warning signs, prevention, and next steps.

📍 Pitt Homewood CEC | 5:30–7:00 PM
Register now: https://pitt.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eXqmSp2d3v8KlZc

This past April was Head & Neck Cancer Awareness Month, and the University of Pittsburgh Department of Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery wants to shed light on something truly remarkable: how far the field of reconstruction has come. 🎗️

For patients who have faced head and neck cancer, treatment is just part of the journey. Restoring the ability to speak, swallow, and feel whole again matters just as much. Thanks to advances in free flap reconstruction, Pitt Otolaryngology faculty are helping patients do exactly that — with care that's more personalized and effective than ever before.

Drs. Micah K. Harris, Joshua D. Smith, Kevin Contrera, Shaum Sridharan, Steven Chinn, and Matthew E. Spector recently published insights on this evolution, writing on behalf of the Head and Neck Surgery & Oncology Committee. Their work reflects a commitment to innovation that puts patients first.

This month — and every month — we encourage you to prioritize early detection. Screenings save lives. Please share this with someone who might need the reminder. 💙
https://bulletin.entnet.org/home/article/22963989/the-future-of-head-and-neck-reconstruction

A sore throat that won’t go away. Trouble swallowing. A lump in your neck.

If you notice a warning sign, see a doctor within 2 weeks - don’t wait.

Learn what to watch for and get screened at our FREE Head & Neck Cancer Info Session on May 21.

🔗 Register here: https://pitt.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eXqmSp2d3v8KlZc

Did you know...

that circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA, cell-free DNA that comes from cancer) has potential as a marker of molecular residual disease across multiple cancer types?

This could help with diagnosis, treatment selection, response, and surveillance.

Learn more at https://eyeandear.org/2026/03/precision-survivorship-using-data-to-transform-care/