Annual Report 2010 - 2011

DEPARTMENT OF OTOLARYNGOLOGY

CLINICAL: For fiscal year 2011, the Department of Otolaryngology had 3,737 cases, a .5% decrease from FY10.  The number of visits decreased .4% at 24,448, with work RVUs at 86,893, a 1.28% decrease from 2010. Decreases were due to several physicians on medical leave, one for the full year, and two for several months. New clinical initiatives in the Department of Otolaryngology include an addition to the current Pediatric Otolaryngologists. adding Dr. Amy Whigham to serve pediatric needs.  A new clinic is slated to open in Clemmons, and will serve general and pediatric patients.  Dr. Drew Plonk, present resident, has been recruited to help open this facility. Dr. Eric Oliver, neuro-otologist, has been successfully recruited to both fill a growing demand in otology and related skull base tumors. In addition, he has become the leader of a new Vestibular Center initiative to coordinate a multi-disciplinary treatment approach for patients with vestibular issues.

Five clinical faculty were chosen for Best Doctors in America:  Drs. J. Dale Browne, Christopher Sullivan, Brian Matthews, John May, and Neal Goldman. Dr. Catherine Rees Lintzenich is directing a new multi-disciplinary Head and Neck Cancer Survivorship Program to address multi-faceted care of patients. A closer relationship with the Department of Hearing and Speech has lead to Dr. Susan Butler, PhD, accepting the newly created position of Clinic Director of Speech Pathology to foster advanced research initiatives, employee education, and increased quality of patient care.

ACADEMIC: For fiscal year 2012, The Department of Otolaryngology has 12 residents. Two new NIH grants were submitted by Dr. Susan Butler, of which one is pending council review for funding:  “Tongue Exercise Protocol to Reduce Dysphagia in Head and Neck Cancer Patients.” In collaboration with the Department of Neurosurgery, plans are progressing for the development of an Endoscopic Skull Base Program to include the recruitment of an Endoscopic Head and Neck Surgeon. An outreach mission to provide otolaryngology care to the Dominican Republic is being developed in conjunction with Hanesbrands.

The Temporal Bone Lab allows residents to practice drilling techniques under guided instruction.  Our restricted 6 station lab is being moved into a new, larger area with additional workstations and plans for both video equipment and updated drills and microscopes.  Ultimately, this will allow all residents to work simultaneously with instructors, and will also allow continuing education courses to be taught to outside otolaryngologist.