Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery

October 27, 2025

Macon County father’s voice restored following oral cancer surgery

After surgical removal of a rare tumor left a sizable hole inside Nick Schrock’s mouth, he could only speak in a muffled, lispy whisper. Tyler Ames, a dentist at VUMC, fashioned a prosthetic device to close the hole and allow Schrock to speak more clearly.

By Jill Clendening
October 23, 2025

John Seibert to continue serving community through Department of Otolaryngology’s partnership with Nashville General Hospital

Seibert was officially reappointed to Nashville General in October.

By Evan Dorian
October 20, 2025

Three VUMC leaders elected to the National Academy of Medicine

With more than 2,400 members, the NAM (formerly the Institute of Medicine) collaborates closely with its peer academies, the National Academy of Sciences and National Academy of Engineering, to provide independent and authoritative advice on matters of science, technology and health nationally and globally.

By Bill Snyder
October 17, 2025

Levi Watkins Jr., MD, awardees show dedication to mission to improve health care for all

Awards were presented during the 24th annual Levi Watkins Jr., MD Lecture.

By Jill Clendening
The surgical team included, from left, Michael Topf, MD, Kyrionna Golliday, Carleigh Burns, Marcus Balanky, Jo Chung, and Eben Rosenthal, MD.
October 10, 2025

VUMC performs nation’s first surgery using latest generation of intraoperative PET-CT scan technology 

PET-CT combines the functional information gained through PET with the structural details gained by a CT scan, aiding in early detection of recurrent disease.

By Evan Dorian
(iStock)
September 30, 2025

Studies find connection between impaired musical rhythm abilities and developmental speech-language disorders 

Evidence showed that deficiency in musical rhythm perception is a “modest but consistent risk factor for developmental speech, language and reading disorders.”

By Evan Dorian
August 26, 2025

Grant supports development of head-mounted augmented reality system to guide tumor resection 

The technology will allow surgeons to rely less on a fallible mental construction of the resection plane, thereby reducing the risk of human error affecting the procedure. 
By Evan Dorian
August 8, 2025

Otolaryngology and Urology again ranked No. 1 by Doximity for reputation as numerous VUMC residency programs receive acclaim 

Each year, Doximity Residency Navigator publishes residency program rankings by specialty, which are “powered by peer nominations, ratings and hand-written reviews.”
By Evan Dorian
July 31, 2025

Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the Vanderbilt Music Cognition Lab is a space for learning for everyone involved 

Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center are on their way to finding out what science has to say about why music is important for health.
By Evan Dorian
July 7, 2025

Vanderbilt Health at forefront of improving head and neck surgery with fluorescence imaging to ‘light up’ nerves 

A new study identified a safe and effective fluorescent imaging agent that can assist surgeons in visualizing — and therefore protecting — nerves during surgery.
By Evan Dorian
June 23, 2025

Data from fluorescence imaging can improve outcomes in head and neck cancer surgery: study 

Research found that using data collected both during surgery and after a tumor’s removal can help guide surgeons in achieving a negative margin in cancer resection.
By Evan Dorian
May 14, 2025

New clinic focuses on pediatric feeding and swallowing issues

Feeding and swallowing problems, known as dysphagia, occur in an estimated 25% to 45% of normally developing children.
By Jessica Pasley
April 29, 2025

Shiayin Yang recognized by Rosalind Franklin Society with RFS Award in Science 

She specializes in aesthetic and reconstructive facial surgery, and she also has expertise in facial reanimation, facial rejuvenation and rhinoplasty.
By Evan Dorian
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