José P. Zevallos, MD, MPH, FACS, The Eugene N. Myers, MD Professor and Chair, Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery; Deputy Director, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center
The University of Pittsburgh’s Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery is experiencing a period of remarkable growth, national recognition, and renewed vision. With a team that now includes 60 full-time faculty members—40 clinicians and 20 researchers—the Department has expanded its clinical divisions and reinforced its commitment to academic excellence and innovation. Boasting 25 residents and seven fellows, the program continues to attract the brightest minds from across the country, fostering an environment of excitement and advancement in the field.
National Leadership and Recruitment Excellence
The Department’s stature is reflected in its success at recruiting top-tier otolaryngologists. Recent additions to the faculty hail from leading institutions such as the University of Michigan, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, and UNC Chapel Hill, among others. Notable new faculty include Dr. Steve Chinn, a head and neck surgeon-scientist from Michigan, and Dr. Matt Spector, who together exemplify the Department’s unique combination of high-volume clinical practice and cutting-edge research. Other recruits, such as Dr. Nicole Bosley, Dr. Lauren Gardner, and Dr. Gabriella Heslop, further extend the Department’s expertise into community care, facial plastics, and pediatric airway surgery.
The Department’s expanding footprint now encompasses new clinical sites in Washington County, Jameson, Sewickley, and Wexford, enhancing patient access and strengthening its service line across western Pennsylvania. Strategic recruitment has also focused on growing subspecialty care, including community otolaryngology and neurotology, with plans to further expand into central Pennsylvania.
Clinical and Research Achievements
A defining characteristic of the Department is its seamless integration of clinical excellence with outstanding research. The University of Pittsburgh’s program is now recognized as a national leader, with its head and neck clinical fellowship regarded as one of the best in the United States. Surgeons are not only providing high-volume, high-quality care, but are also leading their own clinical trials—a rarity in the field. The Department’s patient volume has surged by 50% since 2022, while maintaining strong outcomes and improving efficiency.
Research funding remains robust, with the Department ranking second in the nation for NIH funding in 2024. Recent grants include multiple RO1s, VA career development awards, and a new U01 grant. Despite challenges posed by federal funding changes, the Department’s research programs continue to thrive, thanks in part to strong support from the Eye & Ear Foundation.
The Pittsburgh Hearing Institute, a flagship initiative, has regained momentum with a $20 million allocation from state tobacco settlement funds, contingent on a foundation match. This investment will allow for the development of research infrastructure and clinical expansion, reaffirming the Department’s leadership in hearing research and care.
Educational Innovation and Resident Development
Education remains central to the Department’s mission. This year marks the launch of novel residency tracks, enabling first-year residents to choose an academic focus—such as surgeon-scientist training, community and global outreach, innovation and entrepreneurship, education and leadership, or quality and patient safety. These tracks provide a structured path for academic growth, culminating in a capstone project and presentation.
The Department continues to offer a rich array of conferences and specialized courses, including the head and neck microvascular course and the new facial nerve course. Community outreach initiatives, such as the Voices of Worship program, further demonstrate the Department’s commitment to education and public engagement.
Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Innovation is a hallmark of the Department’s culture. The CREATES fellowship has become a central pillar, nurturing homegrown inventors and supporting startup ventures. Recent successes include medical devices recognized by national media and the launch of new companies focused on gene therapy for hearing loss and novel surgical technologies.
Priorities for the Coming Year
- Advancing the Hearing Institute: Continue fundraising efforts and facility development to support research and clinical innovation in hearing health.
- Growing the Head and Neck Institute: Build on the Department’s strengths in research, clinical care, and survivorship to establish a premier destination for head and neck cancer.
- Strategic Communications: Develop and share a compelling narrative for head and neck cancer within the context of the Eye and Ear Foundation, increasing philanthropic support, and public awareness.
- Alumni Engagement and Resident Development: Leverage new residency tracks to connect with alumni and enhance training for future leaders in otolaryngology.
- Geographic Expansion: Extend the Department’s clinical reach into central Pennsylvania and beyond, improving patient access and growing the academic mission.
- Research Leadership: Maintain and expand the Department’s leading role in NIH-funded research and clinical trials, with an emphasis on recruiting surgeon-scientists and translational researchers.
As the Department looks forward, it remains grateful for the steadfast support of its foundation and alumni. Building on the legacy of pioneering leaders, the University of Pittsburgh’s Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery is poised to set new standards in clinical care, research innovation, and education—making Pittsburgh a beacon for excellence in the field.