The Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery has achieved remarkable accomplishments in FY24, securing the No. 18 position in the Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research rankings. Additionally, it has again been honored as the No. 5 otolaryngology residency program in the nation by Doximity Residency Navigator and has been recognized among the top ENT programs by U.S. News & World Report.
I am incredibly fortunate to lead a group of such talented individuals, and I am excited to share their progress and achievements with you.
Research and innovation
I am immensely proud of the research accomplishments of our department this past year. Notably, our NIH funding remained stable at $5.4 million for FY24, securing our No. 18 ranking among all ear, nose, and throat programs in the 2023 Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research rankings. This year, I am excited to highlight groundbreaking work in our laboratories, including innovations in cancer research through AI and living tumor models, advancements in neurofibromatosis and hearing loss detection, and the continued development of a comprehensive swallowing center, among others.
Clinical practice
Clinical growth across our department continues to skyrocket. To meet additional access demands in 2024, we proudly welcomed five new faculty members to our team: pediatric otolaryngologists Ashley Miller, MD, and Rishabh Sethia, MD; surgical oncologist Lauren Miller, MD, MBA; rhinologist Vinay Rathi, MD, MBA; and facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon Kevin Quinn, MD. We are fortunate to have brought on such a talented and diverse group of physicians, and I am enthused by the contributions and expertise they will bring to the department.
Education
Education remains central to our mission, and this year we have made significant strides. Recognizing the need for a standardized core curriculum in otolaryngology, Meredith Lind, MD, FAAP, FACS, and AAO-HNS Coordinator for Education spearheaded the development of the Otolaryngology Core Curriculum. This initiative, launched in 2024, has garnered widespread adoption across many residency programs nationwide.
Additionally, we launched an innovative program to broaden access to otolaryngology research for medical students. Entering its second year and supported by Nolan Seim, MD, this program provides aspiring otolaryngologists with firsthand research and clinical experience, fostering a new generation of skilled professionals in our field.
Leadership and recognition
In addition to their clinical and academic responsibilities, our faculty members remain committed to embracing leadership opportunities. I’m proud that so many of my colleagues have been named leaders within professional organizations this year, and I’m delighted to see so many familiar names listed among Castle Connolly Top Doctors.
Service and philanthropy
The department strives to educate and serve beyond its own institutions. Leading this cause, Matt Old, MD, and a team of senior surgeons, fellows, residents and medical students, anesthesiologists, nurses, and speech and language pathologists embarked on a two-week medical mission, operating out of a small hospital in Malindi on Kenya’s southeast coast.
His team performed 60 advanced surgeries and more than 100 minor surgeries; and conducted hands-on training sessions for local doctors, focusing on advanced surgical techniques. Beyond patient care and provider training, the team worked to establish a sustainable framework for ongoing care after their departure. Dr. Old’s mission exemplifies the importance of collaboration, while making a lasting impact on global health care, fostering sustainability and strengthening medical care in Kenya for years to come.
The achievements of 2024 have been remarkable, and I am confident that 2025 will bring even more success. On behalf of the Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, I invite you to delve into our annual report and share in our accomplishments.
Sincerely,
James Rocco, MD, PhD
Professor and Chair, Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery
The Ohio State University College of Medicine
The Mary E. and John W. Alford Research Chair in Head and Neck Cancer