Heads Up! Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery Newsletter

Volume 4, Issue 1 / Winter 2007 University of California, San Francisco / Department of Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery

out to bid over the summer. Moving Forward Construction on the classroom You Oto Know which is in the Mission Center Chairman’s Address Building has begun, with an News and Events anticipated completion date We are pleased to present the in the spring of 2007. We are Congratulations! The Haile T. Debas Winter 2007 edition of Heads Up!, eagerly awaiting this exciting Academy of Medical the UCSF Otolaryngology – Head addition to our resident and post- Educators named Andrew and Neck Surgery Newsletter. In graduate educational experience H. Murr, MD the fi rst this edition, we focus on exciting and expect to host our fi rst David W. Eisele, MD Roger Boles, MD Endowed improvements for our referring temporal bone dissection course Professor and Chairman Chair in Otolaryngology physicians, discuss the expansion this summer. of our Rhinology division and Education, and granted welcome Steven D. Pletcher, MD Andrew N. Goldberg, MD Grand Rounds This is a time of remarkable to the faculty. We also highlight academy membership in Mondays 5:00pm growth for our department as we our new Department Manager, 2006 Room S-214, Parnassus move forward with the expansion Deborah Samii, and our clinical of both our patient services and Assistant Professors Administrative Director, Jonathan medical education offerings. We Head & Neck Tumor Ivan H. El-Sayed, MD Hecht and wish a fond farewell to hope to see you at the upcoming Conference and Eric J. Kezerian, MD Louisa Burgio and Candler Gibson. Lewis Francis Morrison, MD Wednesdays 7:30-9am were named Fellows of In addition, this issue includes Endowed Lectureship on April H3805, Mt. Zion the American College of an update on current research 12, 2007 with featured speaker Surgeons. developments and priorities in our Robert Ossoff, MD, Professor and Challenges in Facial Plastic department from Research Vice Chairman of the Department Surgery Conference David N. Schindler, MD, Chairman, Dr. Christoph Schreiner of Otolaryngology at Vanderbilt 2nd Friday of every month was named President of and a “Resident Spotlight” section University. Announcements will 8-9am, 2330 Post St, 5th the UCSF Medical Alumni featuring Amol Bhatki, MD, Chief be mailed shortly. We hope you Floor Association for 2006-2007 Resident, and winner of the 2006 will join us. inaugural Kelvin Lee Award. Morrison Lectureship Dr. Robert Ossoff Progress on the Schindler April 12, 2007, 5-6pm Resident Travel Awards: Temporal Bone and Microvascular Andrea Yeung, MD Herbst Hall, Mt. Zion Dissection Classroom is continuing AAOA Basic Allergy Course at a rapid pace. After fi nalizing Jul. 6-9, 2006 th 6 UCSF Minimally the lab design plans in late spring David W. Eisele, MD Invasive Aesthetic Surgery of last year, the contract went Professor and Chairman Amol Bhatki, MD Conference Andrea Yeung, MD May 17 – 19, 2007 AAO-HNS/F Annual Meeting San Francisco Hilton departmental participation and Oto Expo Research News received outstanding evaluations Sep. 17-20, 2006 For more information about and funding from the National David Saito, MD upcoming courses and Institutes of Health. The current Fulfi lling our Mission 5th Annual Masters Course lectures please contact Holly climate for major extramural in Skull Base Surgery Wong: Upcoming Lectures and CME Courses Maintaining a vigorous research funding is highly competitive. Jan. 18-21, 2007 (415) 885-7471 program is a fundamental prerequisite for fulfi lling one In a clinically oriented project, Dr. Theresa Gurney, MD of the department’s academic Susan Langmore was awarded AAOA Resident Forum missions, namely “to conduct an R01 research grant to study Feb. 2-3, 2007 the highest quality biomedical the impact of new methods in research education for medical the treatment of swallowing students, physicians, and medical problems in head and neck eat and swallow. Conventional scientists”. This mission requires cancer patients. Dr. Langmore is therapies for swallowing an appropriate mix of clinical, Associate Professor and Director disorders (dysphagia) yield translational and basic science of the Swallowing Rehabilitation only minor benefi t, with little research activity. One important Program in the Department. She impact on the quality of life of indicator of signifi cance and is a speech-language pathologist cancer survivors. Recently, a quality of the department’s with expertise in swallowing, new therapeutic approach has research enterprise is successful speech, and voice disorders. been introduced for dysphagia acquisition of extramural funding Treatment of head and neck involving Neuromuscular to support research projects. cancer with chemotherapy and Electrical Stimulation of the

Christoph E. Schreiner, MD,PhD Over the past year, two new radiation can leave devastating neck muscles. In a randomized Prof. and Research Vice Chairman research initiatives with leading side effects, including inability to clinical trial, Dr. Langmore Continued on back page Introducing the Adult Cystic Fibrosis Center has the unique opportunity at UCSF, Dr. Pletcher is actively to work side-by-side with his Steven Pletcher, MD involved in research to evaluate father, attending physician the treatment of sinus disease James Pletcher, MD while caring in this challenging population. for patients at San Francisco Dr. Steven D. Pletcher, a These studies will focus on the General Hospital. specialist in sinus surgery and impact of treatment of sinus rhinology, was recruited to the disease on quality of life in adult For more information about UCSF Department of Otolar- patients with cystic fi brosis. Dr. Pletcher, or to contact him, yngology – Head and Neck please visit our website at www. Surgery in August 2006 as an Dr. Pletcher also collaborates ohns.ucsf.edu. Assistant Professor of Clinical with the Center for Clinical Otolaryngology. Dr. Pletcher is Research in Otolaryngology To schedule an outpatient no stranger to UCSF since he Steven D. Pletcher, MD (CCRO) here at UCSF on appointment at our Parnassus completed his residency training projects involving the treatment clinic, please call: here in the Department of sinus, orbital and optic nerve of chronic sinusitis. Finally, in (415) 353-2757. Otolaryngology - Head and Neck treatment of epistaxis. returning to UCSF Dr. Pletcher Surgery. At UCSF, Dr. Pletcher sees patients and operates at the After his residency, Dr. Pletcher Parnassus campus and also pursued his interests in serves as attending physician rhinology and sinus surgery at the resident clinics and with fellowship training at surgeries at San Francisco the Massachusetts Eye & Ear General Hospital and the San Infi rmary. During this busy year, Francisco VA Medical Center. Dr. Pletcher had the opportunity While his Parnassus practice to complete more than 200 focuses primarily on diseases endoscopic sinus cases. Along of the paranasal sinuses, Dr. with primary and revision Pletcher maintains a general surgery for chronic sinusitis, otolaryngology and head and transnasal endoscopic surgery of neck surgery practice at both the orbit and skull base was also SFGH and VA Medical Center. featured. During his fellowship, Dr. Pletcher spoke at multiple Along with his clinical activities, national meetings and published Dr. Pletcher is pursuing several Steven D. Pletcher, MD with his father James D. Pletcher, MD numerous articles on topics clinical research projects at including surgery of the frontal UCSF. As the newest member of Creating a Patient- UCSF. In September 2006, we reorganized the administrative Centric Environment division of our Faculty Practice and Cochlear Implant Center in The Otolaryngology - Head & several fundamental areas to Neck Surgery multi-disciplinary better serve referring providers, practices at UCSF Medical Center patients and their families. is committed to providing the highest quality of patient service We have addressed appointment and care. Our goal, in keeping access by redesigning the with our role as a tertiary and various access points into Clinical Staff at the Parnassus Faculty Practice quaternary care provider, is to the OHNS practices. For service. Each Practice Assistant offered no recommendations offer new patient consultative, administrative functions, we is well versed with their for improvement, either in the diagnostic, and therapeutic have redesigned our telephone physicians’ cases and is ready to care provided to our patients or treatment. Working with our system to present a more help patients and their referring the clinical and administrative referring community physicians, streamlined and patient-friendly providers navigate our system. processes observed. These we provide treatment plans that route to our offi ce staff. For For new patient registration, indicators suggest that our transition patients back to their physicians calling about a consult scheduling, insurance patients and their referring physicians who can best provide clinical matter, we have included authorizations, ancillary test providers are enjoying the them with long-term care a nurse’s line to our menu, coordination, and surgery service and care being received management. giving providers easier access scheduling, each patient will through the UCSF OHNS to our clinicians who are ready be serviced by a single, well practices. An important OHNS to support their urgent clinical trained, and dedicated staff responsibility is to provide needs. member. To reach our offi ce staff, please an effi cient and welcoming use the following telephone environment for our referring Once connected to the Faculty The efforts from these and numbers: physicians. We recognize and Cochlear Implant practices, other service initiatives are that access to our staff and our patients and their referring paying off in tangible results Main Otolaryngology - HNS facilities can be a challenge physicians are greeted by our for our patients and their Faculty Practice Number: at UCSF, creating frustration reorganized staff; enthusiastic, referring providers. Our patient (415) 353-2757 for community physicians capable, and ready to assist satisfaction - as measured attempting to refer patients referring physicians and patients through Press Ganey Patient Patients please use option #1 to our care. In response, obtain timely and professional Satisfaction Surveys - is at Providers please use option #2 we have initiated a series of service and care. Our skilled an all-time high. Our 2007 improvements to ensure that Practice Assistants are assigned survey by the Joint Commission Referral/Document Fax Number: we are providing the care to specifi c physicians and on the Accreditation of (415) 353-2603 environment that is expected at provide highly individualized Healthcare Organizations Welcome Welcome Clinical Department Manager Administrative Deborah Samii Director

Department Manager, Deborah Jonathan Hecht Samii, M.A., Ed., has a lengthy career and extensive experience Otolaryngology - Head and in University administration with Neck Surgery Administrative the UC System. She completed Director for Clinical Operations, Jonathan E. Hecht, MPA/HSA, her undergraduate work at “Engaged talent, dynamic planning “Leading through energetic UC Davis and went on to earn and artful execution inspire an joins OHNS with eleven years of innovation, professionalism, and her M.A in Education, with a achieving organization!” experience in academic health humor.” specialization in Counseling care management. Jonathan Psychology from UC Santa her new role, Deborah directs holds an undergraduate operations of fi ve dynamic Barbara. Between completing OHNS administrative and degree in Organizational multi-disciplinary practices. He her undergraduate and graduate clinical operations, including Behavior and a MPA in Health ensures the delivery of high degrees, Deborah attended the fi n ance, contracts and grants, Services Administration. quality, effi cient, and compliant University of Lund, Sweden and academic and staff human During his nine years at the patient care services. Jonathan graduated with a Candidate of resources, business planning UCSF Medical Center, Jonathan is responsible for the ongoing Philosophy degree in Psychology. and information systems held several management operational support in the Deborah began her career at support. During her fi rst few positions. As Client Services development and enhancement UC Santa Barbara and has months with OHNS, Deborah Manager for Medical Group of existing and new clinical served in management positions recruited and restructured Business Services he was programs, and assists faculty at UC Davis and UC San administrative positions and responsible for patient revenue leadership in business Francisco. During her tenure realized an annual salary savings and initiating improvements development, marketing, and with the University of California, of approximately $80,000 to capture professional fees. strategic planning. Jonathan Deborah also was a member without sacrifi cing service levels Subsequently, as the Call has already made an impact on of the Business Department or the quality of administrative Center Manager, Jonathan clinical operations as described faculty at San Francisco City support. “I am fortunate to expanded the client base in the article “Creating a Patient- College and taught courses in have come into a department signifi cantly, while surpassing Centric Environment” in this Accounting part-time. Deborah with an exceptionally gifted and industry benchmarks for edition of the OHNS Newsletter. comes to us from Ambulatory dedicated administrative team. patient satisfaction. In his new His dedication to continuous Services Administration, where They have made my transition role as OHNS Administrative improvement has served to she performed the duties of easy and I appreciate their Director, Jonathan manages streamline processes for faculty, Principal Financial Analyst for support”. and integrates the overall referring providers and patients. the UCSF Medical Center. In clinical, business, and revenue Resident Spotlight

The Kelvin Lee Resident in Otolaryngology and many Award annually recognizes research opportunities in the the outstanding leadership fi e ld. Dr. Bhatki selected the and teamwork of an OHNS OHNS program at UCSF because resident, as nominated by of its distinguished faculty and department faculty, nursing the complexity of cases. He and administrative staff. Chief emphasized that while the Resident Amol Bhatki, MD faculty were talented surgeons, was the winner of the 2006 they also had the special ability inaugural award and is currently of sharing that knowledge a resident representative on and expecting residents to the department’s Resident be curious, inquisitive and Education Committee. While Dr. proactive. Dr. Bhatki has also Bhatki did not personally know really appreciated the vision and Kelvin Lee, Dr. Bhatki knew of the challenge to the status quo Dr. Lee’s great teaching ability inherent in the department’s 2006 Kelvin Lee Resident Award Recipient and generous spirit from fellow focus on expanding divisions Chief Resident, Amol Bhatki, MD OHNS residents, faculty and and the recruitment of nurses. outstanding new faculty. When asked what important lessons Dr. Bhatki recalls a patient who how can I question that?” Dr. Dr. Bhatki graduated from he had learned from OHNS had left the greatest impression Bhatki felt deeply moved by Boston University Medical faculty thus far, Dr. Bhatki on him during his rotation as a the level of trust that had been School and became attracted commented that the faculty 4th year Resident at UCSF. He placed in him. The patient to Otolaryngology as a career help residents effectively cope related the story of a 70 year successfully pulled through the choice through his mentorship with the gravity of the residency old gentleman, a native of El surgery and Dr. Bhatki still has with Jeffrey Spiegel, MD, UCSF experience: being away from Salvador, whom he saw at the a picture of the patient, his residency alumnus, and faculty family members, working long San Francisco General Hospital son and grandson. Dr. Bhatki member at Boston University. hours and helping very sick OHNS outpatient clinic. The has a great commitment to his Dr. Bhatki liked the diversity of people, all while maintaining gentleman reported a painful patients and we are gratifi ed patients seen in this specialty a caring and professional lesion in his cheek which that he was selected for the including children, men and attitude. An important aspect turned out to be cancerous. Kelvin Lee Award. He plans to women, the elderly, as well as of the residency experience is In preparing the patient for pursue fellowship training in the variety of cases including to learn the delicate balance surgery, Dr. Bhatki asked him Rhinology and we wish him the everything from ear infections between being an effective, if he had any questions; the best in his very bright future as to cancer. He also knew that compassionate physician and patient replied “My life is in an Otolaryngologist - Head and there was a broad frontier keeping one’s objectivity. the hands of you and God; Neck Surgeon. Continued from front page Roger Boles, M.D. Endowed Lectureship and her colleagues in several generating body movements centers around the country (e.g., - speech production and in Head and Neck Cancer balance maintenance). These will compare the new electrical We graciously thank all of the donors who supported and attended the inaugural stimulation therapy plus studies should provide key lecture presented by Dr. Charles W. Cummings on September 7, 2006. exercise to an exercise with insights into the origins of brain “sham” electrical stimulation. disorders, normal and abnormal This new treatment represents control of brain function, and real hope for improved actions of neuro-psychiatric agents that bring abnormal Sean R. Althaus, M.D. Corey S. Maas, M.D. swallowing in this growing Sandy L. Althaus Kristin S. Maas population of cancer survivors brain function back to normal. and may have a signifi cant Barry C. Baron, M.D. Michael M. Merzenich, Ph.D. impact on the quality of life for With initiatives like these, Constance M. Goodyear Diane Merzenich UCSF Otolaryngology-Head many patients. Philip C. Bartlett, M.D. Gary S. Mizono, M.D. and Neck Surgery research Christine H. Bartlett Lisa K. Mizono Two basic science researchers is well positioned to develop of the Department, Dr. Michael fundamental new understanding Roger Boles, M.D. Andrew H. Murr, M.D. Marianna R. Boles Jennifer A. Murr Merzenich and Dr. Christoph into brain disorders and to Schreiner, are principal generate new treatments for Herbert H. Dedo, M.D. Mark L. Prendergast, M.D. investigators of the prestigious our patients. Sigrid Homs Dedo Silvio O. Conte Center for Bruce J. Rice, M.D. The Department is grateful Daniel G. Deschler, M.D. Neuroscience Research Grant, Eileen E. Reynolds, M.D. John Harger Roediger, M.D. which was awarded to seven to friends, alumni, and Martha C. Roediger neuroscience investigators at philanthropic donors that have Carol Dimeling, M.D. UCSF by the National Institute supported and continue to Timothy Gee Ronald L. Rubenstein, M.D. support our research programs. Gail Rubenstein of Mental Health. The goal of Michael I. Echavez, M.D. this center grant is to explore We are confi dent that we will Brian E. Schindler, M.D. the role of variability (or noise) succeed in these and future David W. Eisele, M.D. Judy Wada Schindler, Pharm.D. on the function of brain circuits endeavors. Janice Eisele David N. Schindler, M.D. that participate in hearing and Lee D. Eisenberg, M.D. Diana Mitchell Schindler

Farewell to Thomas L. Engel, M.D. Robert A. Schindler, M.D. During Ms. Burgio’s tenure Patricia M. Rock Janet F. Schindler in the Department, she was Louisa Burgio Andrew N. Goldberg, M.D. Michael A. Tralla, M.D. responsible for many signifi cant Shana Margolis Goldberg We would like to thank improvements including Susan Papner, M.D. Louisa Burgio, MBA, MA for restructuring administrative Robert K. Jackler, M.D. her outstanding leadership operations, establishing Laurie M. Jackler Vivian Weigel as Department Manager of innovative fi nancial tools and Kevin E. Kelly, M.D. Robert M. Wesman, M.D. Otolaryngology-Head and Neck productivity benchmarks, as well Beverly Chao Wesman Surgery. Ms. Burgio started as designing and implementing Eric Kezirian, M.D. with the department in February business plans and marketing Murray A. Woolf, M.D. Patricia A. Leake, Ph.D. Julie Wilcomb Woolf 2002 and left in July of 2006 to strategies. We extend our Joseph R. Trimble serve as Associate Controller of gratitude and best wishes to Ms. Alan Yates, M.D. the UCSF School of Medicine. Burgio.

Contact Us Heads Up! Farewell to funding to help our staff provide the highest quality of care to our Volume 4, Issue 1 Candler Gibson patients and create the most General Otolaryngology enriching environment for our Pediatric Otolaryngology Department Chairman, Much of our progress over the students and researchers. It is Otology and Neurotology Editor in Chief: last several years has been made with heartfelt gratitude that we Rhinology and Sinus Surgery David W. Eisele, MD possible by Candler Gibson. Mr. wish him and his wife, Marni, a Sleep Surgery Gibson has served as the Director fond farewell and good luck for 415-353-2757 Executive Editor: of Development for Otolaryngology their new life in Baltimore, where Deborah Samii, MA, Ed – Head and Neck Surgery for the Mr. Gibson has been appointed Head and Neck Surgery past three years. His dedication the Director of Development Head and Neck Endocrine Managing Editor: and commitment have helped our for the Johns Hopkins Heart Surgery Emerald Light department obtain philanthropic Institute. UCSF Salivary Gland Center support and achieve both clinical 415-885-7528 Editors: and academic growth. If you would like to support the Matt Forbush Department of Otolaryngology Cochlear Implant Program Jonathan Hecht, MPA/HSA Most notably Mr. Gibson reached - Head and Neck Surgery, please 415-353-2464 Kathryn Higgins out to our alumni, friends and contact: Catherine Lee grateful patients to raise money Facial Plastic Surgery Holly Wong, MA for the Hemming Fellowship, UCSF Voice and Swallowing Schindler and Boles Endowed UCSF Foundation Center Lectureships, and the much 44 Montgomery Street 415-885-7700 anticipated Robert Schindler, M.D. Suite 2200 Temporal Bone Dissection and San Francisco, CA 94104-4709 Audiology Microvascular Training Classroom. (415) 476-6922 415-353-2101 http://www.ucsf.edu/support/ During his service, Mr. Gibson Online consistently sought the necessary http://ohns.ucsf.edu