2012 Winter Newsletter

U N I V E R S I T Y O F M I C H I G A N DEPARTMENT OF OTOLARYNGOLOGY HEAD AND NECK SURGERY Dear Carol, THE MICHIGAN DIFFERENCE Indeed it is with mixed emotions that I remind you of my plan to retire on December 14, 2011. Department of Otolaryngology In my nearly 30 years at UM, I have always considered Oto to be my “home,” and feel particularly AND 1904 Taubman Center . SPC 5312 blessed that I am finishing up my working career here. Having worked in several other units during 1500 East Medical Center Drive my UM tenure, I can assure you that this is truly a unique Department – unparalleled in the Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-5312 spirit of compassion, conscience, and camaraderie that abounds among this exceptional group of 734-936-8052 NOTES clinicians, trainees, and staff. I have been proud to have heard this from many patients and colleagues as well, so it is indisputable! NEWS I smile broadly as I think of my uncanny “re-landing” here…headed for retirement nearly three ISSUE 4 . WINTER 2012 years ago, and then you called! What tremendous fun it has been to come back and see all the old timers, you in your new role as Chair, meet the new folks, see how the Department has grown, Auld Lang Syne etc. To be able to rejuvenate relationships with our faculty, staff, alumnae, friends, and supporters has been such incredible fun – more like a party than “work” some days! And yes – although I As you may recall, Robert Burns wrote the admittedly am friendly and a “people person,” I truly had no real experience at alumnae relations, Scottish poem Auld Lang Syne, and it seems newsletters, marketing, or philanthropy. So although I was a bit nervous at the beginning, I have fitting to mention it not only at this time of savored the challenge in developing these skills, and am so appreciative of your willingness to take Message From The Chair year, but also as I announce my real retirement a risk. Moreso, I am deeply grateful for your faith and confidence in me as we “grew” this position this time! Traditionally used to celebrate the together. I have learned and loved much! start of the New Year or as a farewell or end- ing, Burn’s song begins by asking a rhetorical That said, I am excited now to have more time for several volunteer interests, my aging mother question as to the value of remembering I must confess that as I Lamberson Lecturer. The day was truly specialfor and our adorable grandchild, “getting dirty” in my garden, competitive tennis, and travels with my complete my third year me and for all attendees. I encourage you to old times and calls us to remember long- husband. We are avid campers and bikers, and look forward to many “active” adventures. standing friendships. Indeed that is exactly of leading this extra- “friend” us on Facebook where you will find some what this position has embraced, and yes – I hope we all agree, it has been fun and has Again, heartfelt thanks for all that is “Oto.” My work here has been sheer joy, and know that I will ordinary department, it terrific pictures that will hopefully bring back value! Some old times are never forgotten, keep the Oto family close to my heart and look forward to remaining involved in any way that truly has become both fond memories of this time spent in Ann Arbor and those times and the people in them are a might be helpful. a whirlwind and a labor (http://www.facebook.com/MichiganOtolaryngology). part of who we each are, and part of what we will become collectively. Amidst all this are With deep appreciation, of love. Clearly, wonder- comings and goings, beginning and endings… Becki ful and remarkable things are happening all around us – In closing, I remind you that we are in the home transitions – hmm, that’s the preferred word. each and every day! Most notably, the glorious new stretch of completing both the Merle Lawrence and Anyway, when Carol hired me in June 2009, we had agreed on a 2-year part-time position. Editor’s Note: Although this newsletter issue is primarily dedicated to our new pediatric clinic C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital and Von Voigtlander Charles J. Krause Endowed Professorships. Please Time has flown by, and somehow that time and the new Mott Hospital, I would be remiss if I didn’t brag about the incredible and persistent Women’s Hospital recently opened, and thus we have consider a gift to both honor and remember these has passed! Thus I share with you my retire- achievements of our research faculty at the Kresge Hearing Research Institute. They continue to moved into our beautiful new pediatric otolaryngol- extraordinary past leaders of our Kresge Hearing ment letter to Dr. Bradford: be at the forefront of ground-breaking discovery. ogy and audiology clinics. We have launched our new Research Institute and the clinical Department. These Pediatric Audiology program, and will be doing both giants in our specialty, among others, truly estab- Executive Officers of the University of Michigan diagnostic testing and hearing aid rehabilitation at this lished the foundation for greatness here by building Health System: Ora Hirsch Pescovitz, Executive BE A PART OF OUR PROGRESS Vice President for Medical Affairs; location. We have new multi-disciplinary programs in one of the finest otolaryngology training programs James O. Woolliscroft, Dean, U-M Medical School; Philanthropy is a vital resource that allows the Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Douglas Strong, Chief Executive Officer, U-M Surgery to do more teaching and learning and to transfer ground-breaking research into life- genetic hearing loss, pediatric sleep apnea, and pediatric in the country. These professorships will allow us to Hospitals and Health centers: Kathleen Potempa, saving clinical applications. We rely on private support to help us with this vital work. If you upper aerodigestive tract disorders, and are confident not only honor them in perpetuity, but to continue Dean, School of Nursing would like to make a gift online, or if you would like to learn about the many opportunities for that extraordinary medicine, teaching, and discovery building upon this legacy to create the future of ear, giving, please visit www.med.umich.edu/oto/giving/. Regents of the University of Michigan: will happen here. nose and throat care through discovery and education. Julia Donovan Darlow, Laurence B. Deitch, Denise Ilitch, Olivia P. Maynard, Andrea Fischer AmandaOr contact: Kay Thatcher Newman, Andrew C. Richner, S. Martin Taylor, DepartmentBecki Spangler of (734-936-8003Otolaryngology or - [email protected]) and Neck Surgery On September 16th, we hosted our inaugural Pediatric Warmly, Katherine E. White, Mary Sue Coleman, ex officio 1500Alumni East Relations Medical Coordinator Center Drive 1904Department Taubman of Center Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Otolaryngology Symposium and welcomed back to The university of Michigan is an equal Ann1500 Arbor, E. Medical MI 48109-5312 Center Drive opportunity/affirmative action employer. Ann Arbor numerous alumni, colleagues, and friends. Phone:1904 Taubman (734) 936-8003 Center . Fax: (734) 647-9691 The University of Michigan Health System is Amelia Drake, M.D. (residency training completed 1987) Carol R. Bradford, MD committed to Total Quality Email:Ann Arbor, [email protected] MI 48109-5312 honored us as keynote speaker and distinguished Professor and Chair Copyright © 2012 The Regents of the University Thank you for your confidence in us and for your support of our work. There is no more of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48109 gratifying gift than one that improves the health and health care of our patients. NEWS AND NOTES ISSUE 4 . WINTER 2012 News From The Chief This is an exciting time for the Division of Tina Cordero. Pam Kuzel ably maintains Pediatric Otolaryngology as we make our our trach database. Speech pathologist Lynn long-anticipated move into the new C.S. Driver (MA, CCC-SLP) has been an invalu- Mott Children’s Hospital and Von Voigtlander able colleague for many years with her Women’s Hospital. After nearly 10 years of expertise in pediatric voice and speech and planning, we are thrilled to have new state- swallowing - particularly for children with of-the art facilities in which to take care of tracheotomies and behavioral issues. We are pleased to announce our patients. Our new clinic is much larger the newest member of our department, Amanda Thatcher, as and includes 5 new audiology booths. Our Alex Arts, MD from our Otology and our Communications Specialist. This role is an expansion of our surgery schedulers will no longer have to Neurotology division will also see pediatric alumni relations coordinator position, which was pioneered by the meet with patients in the former supply closet, patients with otologic disorders in the new recently retired Becki Spangler. and we will actually have a team room for clinic space. Audiology services will include clinic providers. Having endured many years behavioral audiometry, auditory brainstem Amanda’s role will promote departmental initiatives and accom of bed shortages and OR time crunches, we response testing, hearing aid fitting, and a plishments, as well as support our alumni relations efforts. Her are looking forward to increased capacity in new program for dispensing hearing aids. responsibilities will include event planning, publication development, the intensive care units and to performing Meanwhile, I am grateful to Peds ACU surgery in our beautiful new operating rooms. approach to airway disorders and longstand- audiologists Katie Kuboushek AuD and Kristy “I’m very excited website management, implementing social media tactics and intro- We encourage everyone to come and take a ing clinical expertise in craniofacial syndromes Winters AuD for so expertly coordinating ducing new, creative communications and marketing methods to tour! To celebrate the new hospital opening, and hereditary hearing loss.

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