The Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center continues to distinguish itself through exceptional clinical care, rigorous academic contributions, and a culture of service to the specialty. This year, our faculty earned prominent leadership positions across national professional organizations—reflecting the department’s growing influence and its longstanding commitment to advancing education, research, and innovation in otolaryngology.
These achievements highlight the depth of talent within the department and the continued trust placed in our faculty by peers nationwide. Their leadership strengthens professional standards, shapes national policy, and enhances training across the field.
Faculty leadership highlights
Brad deSilva, MD
Dr. deSilva was elected to the Otolaryngology Program Directors Organization Council, where he contributes to national policy shaping residency education across the United States. His Triologic Thesis was also accepted, resulting in induction into The Triological Society, one of the premier scholarly societies in otolaryngology dedicated to advancing academic excellence and scientific rigor.
Stephen Kang, MD
As Chair of Education for the American Head and Neck Society (AHNS) Reconstruction Section, Dr. Kang oversees the development of educational resources, training modules, and multidisciplinary curricula for reconstructive surgeons. His leadership facilitates collaboration across head and neck oncology, facial plastics, and reconstructive surgery.
Leslie Kim, MD, MPH
Dr. Kim was elected to the Board of Directors Nominating Committee for the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS). In this role, she helps identify and evaluate future national leaders within the specialty, shaping the direction of facial plastic surgery at the highest level.
Monica Kraft, MD
Dr. Kraft was appointed Vice Chair for three major committees within the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI):
- New Allergist Immunologist Assembly (NAIA)
- Women’s Health in A/I Committee
- Sports, Exercise, and Fitness Committee
Her leadership reflects a broad commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration, advancing research and improving care across multiple domains in allergy and immunology.
Matthew Old, MD
Dr. Old was appointed Chair of the AHNS Reconstruction Section, Chair of the AHNS Task Force for Quality and Value and elected to a three-year term as Secretary of the AHNS. Through these roles, he advances national efforts to improve quality standards, define best practices, and promote value-based care in head and neck oncology and reconstructive surgery.
Vinay Rathi, MD, MBA
Dr. Rathi was appointed to the Physician Payment Policy (3P) Workgroup of the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery/Foundation (AAO-HNS/F). His nomination was unanimously approved by the Academy’s Executive Committee, recognizing his expertise in health policy, clinical economics, and value-based care. As a member of this senior advisory group, Dr. Rathi will contribute to national deliberations on socioeconomic advocacy, regulatory reform, coding and reimbursement, and practice management. The 3P Workgroup meets monthly and convenes annually at the Academy’s Annual Meeting to provide strategic guidance on payment policy and its implications for otolaryngology practice nationwide. His appointment underscores his expanding national presence in health policy and his commitment to representing the interests of otolaryngologists and the patients they serve.
James W. Rocco, MD, PhD
Dr. Rocco was selected to serve a second three-year term as Chair of the American Head and Neck Society Foundation (AHNSF). The AHNS Foundation—the Research and Education Foundation of the American Head and Neck Society—is dedicated to advancing research, training, and innovation in head and neck oncology. Its mission centers on providing clinicians and scientists with cutting-edge knowledge while improving the lives of patients through groundbreaking research initiatives and clinical trials. Dr. Rocco’s reappointment reflects both his national leadership and his continued commitment to strengthening translational science, supporting early-career investigators, and expanding educational opportunities across the specialty.
Dr. Rocco was elected to the Nominating Committee of the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS). In this role, he serves as part of the body charged with presenting the Academy’s voting membership a slate of candidates deemed the “best of the best” to guide the organization forward. Members of the Nominating Committee are entrusted with identifying leaders whose expertise, perspectives and professional values reflect the diverse interests of the Academy’s national membership. His election to this committee underscores the respect he holds within the broader field and his dedication to shaping the future leadership of otolaryngology.
Nolan Seim, MD, MBA
Dr. Seim was selected as Co-Chair of the AHNS Mentorship Committee for the Reconstruction Section, where he supports the development of structured mentorship pathways for residents, fellows, and early-career faculty nationwide. His leadership strengthens professional development and continuity across the field.
A department defined by service and leadership
Collectively, these accomplishments represent far more than individual honors. They highlight a department-wide culture in which faculty continually extend their influence beyond institutional boundaries to shape national conversations, elevate practice standards, and mentor the next generation of leaders.
Our faculty’s expertise—in clinical care, research, education, and professional service—reinforces the department’s standing as a premier academic program. Their contributions ensure that Ohio State remains at the forefront of advancing the science and practice of otolaryngology.