Elevating academic medicine in 2024

The University of South Florida Department of Otolaryngology continues its mission to deliver world-class care for patients in the south Florida region. Leveraging the strategic assets of Tampa General Hospital, our department provides tertiary-level care in all disciplines of otolaryngology. Our team of expert physicians lead the Ear, Nose & Throat Institute at Tampa General Hospital, ranked #39 nationally and second highest-ranked in Florida for Ear, Nose & Throat by 2023-2024 U.S. News & World Report Best Hospital rankings. Our elevated regional and national profile reflects our commitment to excellence in academic medicine. The department remains a distinguished leader in the field, serving the diverse health care needs of our community with unwavering commitment and expertise.

The division of head and neck surgical oncology and microvascular reconstruction is dedicated to delivering compassionate, state-of-the-art care to our head and neck cancer patients. Our team attends to a diverse and complex patient population, demonstrating a commitment to providing comprehensive care tailored to individual needs. 

We specialize in microvascular reconstruction, completing more than 100 microvascular free flaps each year, showcasing our proficiency in complex ablative and reconstructive techniques. Further, our growing transoral robotic surgery program now complete approximately 40 cases annually, offering effective and minimally invasive treatment options for patients with cancers of the oropharynx.

Operating within a multidisciplinary framework, we collaborate with medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, pathologists, radiologists, speech-language pathologists (SLP), nutrition services, and nurse navigators. Our dedicated head and neck tumor board allows for seamless multidisciplinary management of our complex patient population.

In our pursuit of excellence, we are uniquely positioned to address the complex needs of head and neck cancer patients. Thank you for joining us on this journey of innovation, compassion, and exceptional care.

Our team of head and neck surgical oncologists are dedicated to advancing the field of head and neck surgical care at the University of South Florida Department of Otolaryngology. Our team brings a wealth of experience, innovation, and compassion to provide exceptional care for our patients. 

Tapan Padhya, MD 

Professor and Chairman,

USF Health Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery

Co-Director, USF ENT Sleep and Snoring Center

Chief, Tampa General Hospital Ear, Nose and Throat Institute

Matthew Mifsud, MD, FACS

Associate Professor,

Chief, Division of Head and Neck Oncology/Microvascular Reconstructive Surgery 

Director, USF Center for Salivary Gland Surgery

USF Health Department of Otolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery

Thomas McCaffrey, MD, PhD

Professor

Head and Neck Surgical Oncology, Thyroid Cancer, Airway Surgery

USF Health Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery

Christopher Nickel, MD

Assistant Professor,

Head and Neck Surgical Oncology and Microvascular Reconstruction

Director, Head and Neck Robotics

USF Health Department of Otolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery

Mica Glaun, MD

Clinical Instructor,

Head and Neck Surgical Oncology

USF Health Department of Otolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery

Dr. Mifsud makes life better for Aubrey.

Aubrey, 8, had Odontogenic Ghost Cell Carcinoma, a very rare head and neck cancer. Less than 100 cases have been documented in the last 50 years and almost none involved children.

Under the leadership of Jennifer Larsson (speech language pathology) and Dr. Matthew Mifsud, the USF head and neck cancer patient community has become a lifeline for those facing the challenges of living with head and neck cancer. Headed by survivors, this group meets regularly to provide a forum for individuals to share experiences, offer support, and find solace in a community that understands the unique journey of living with head and neck cancer.

Beyond regular support group meetings, our department recently organized a special event at the historic Tampa Theatre. This event centered on the screening of "Can You Hear My Voice," a documentary showcasing a choir formed by laryngectomy patients who, despite not having voice boxes and relying on tracheoesophageal prostheses to communicate, find their voices through the power of music. The screening was a testament to the resilience of these patients and the transformative impact of community support.

Following the screening, a panel of patient ambassadors shared their inspiring experiences, providing insights into their personal journeys and the challenges they've overcome. This event not only fostered a sense of community among head and neck cancer patients but also highlighted the strength and determination that define our patient community. The success of this event reinforces our commitment to not only provide medical care, but also to nurture a supportive community where patients, survivors, and caregivers can find strength, inspiration, and shared understanding.

The University of South Florida Department of Otolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery is pleased to welcome the resident class of 2028.  For the past 75 years, our department has been committed to resident education. We look forward to training the future leaders of our field. 

Tiffany Chen, MD  

Medical School: Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine

College: New Jersey Institute of Technology

Ryan Hudnall, MD

Medical School: University of Nebraska College of Medicine

College: University of Nebraska- Lincoln 

Nicholas Schofield, MD 

Medical School: University

of Florida

College: Southeastern University

James Eng, MD

Residency: Baylor College of Medicine

Medical School: Warren Alpert Medical School of 

Brown University

College: Brown University

As academic leaders in the field of Otolaryngology, the University of South Florida Department of Otolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery annual contributes to regional and national meetings. The department had a particularly successful showing at this year’s Florida Combined Otolaryngology Meeting, held in Orlando. Our residents contributed several research posters presentations. Our faculty were heavily involved in the program providing lectures and leading panels on a variety of topics including updates on head and neck surgical oncology, interventional obstructive sleep apnea, and management of complex sinusitis. Additionally, Dr. Tapan Padhya, Dr. Abhay Sharma, and Dr. Mark Tabor led interactive cadaver labs on their respective areas of expertise. To wrap up the excitement, the residents secured their title as the undefeated champions of the 3^rd Annual Florida Resident Trivia Bowl! The team was led by Dr. Steve Aziz, Dr. Matthew Gliksman, and 

Dr. Andrew DeAtkine.  

The 32^nd Annual North American Skull Base Society Meeting, hosted in Tampa Another, provided another highlight from this year’s academic calendar. Alongside the USF Department of Neurosurgery, the University of South Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery was pleased welcomed experts in the field of skull-based surgery from around the throughout the world. Faculty and residents from our department contributed lectures and presentations that showcased our robust commitment to furthering the field of skull base surgery.

Recent Publications

As part of this region's leading academic medical center, our physicians and providers share their expertise by authoring numerous publications. To view our recent contributes to the body of medical literature

Faculty

Tapan A. Padhya, MD

Professor and Chair

Co- director, USF ENT Sleep and Snoring Center

Head & Neck Oncology

K. Paul Boyev, MD

Associate Professor and Chief,

Division of Otology / Neurotology Lateral Skull Base Surgery, Cochlear Implants, Bone anchored hearing aids,

Residency Program Director

Thomas V. McCaffrey, MD, PHD

Professor

Head & Neck Oncology, Thyroid Cancer, Airway Surgery

Mark Tabor, MD

Associate Professor and Chief,

Division of Rhinology/Endoscopic Skull Base Surgery

Matthew Mifsud, MD

Associate Professor

Chief, Division of Head & Neck Oncology, Microvascular Reconstructive Surgery,

Director, Center for Salivary Surgery

Arjun Parasher, MD

Associate Professor

Rhinology, Nasal and Sinus Surgery, Endoscopic Skull Base Surgery

Julia Toman, MD

Assistant Professor

Chief, Division Facial Plastics and Reconstructive Surgery

Mark Witte, MD

Assistant Professor

General Otolaryngology/Otology

Abhay Sharma, MD 

Assistant Professor 

Director, Division of Interventional Sleep Surgery

Co-Director, USF ENT Sleep and Snoring Center

Lindsey Ryan, MD

Assistant Professor

Rhinology, Nasal and Sinus Surgery, Endoscopic Skull Base Surgery

Christopher Nickel, MD

Assistant Professor

Director, Head and Neck Robotics,

Head & Neck Oncology, Microvascular Reconstructive Surgery

Mica Glaun, MD

Clinical Instructor

Head & Neck Oncology 

Yael Bensoussan, MD

Assistant Professor

Division Chief - Laryngology

Director, USF Health Voice Center

Yassmeen Abdel-Aty, MD 

Assistant Professor 

Laryngology, USF Health Voice Center 

Audiology

Victoria Sanchez, AuD, PhD,

CCC-A/F-AAA

Assistant Professor

Chief, USF Section of Audiology, USF Hearing & Balance Center

Jeffery Lichtenhan, PhD, CCC-A

Assistant Professor

USF Section of Audiology

Suzannah Boyle, AuD

Clinical Instructor

USF Section of Audiology

Marsadi Parliament, AuD, CCC-A

Clinical Instructor

USF Section of Audiology

Haley Neil, AuD, CCC-A

Assistant Professor

USF Section of Audiology

Morgan Oktela Fuentes, AuD, CCC-A

Assistant Professor

USF Section of Audiology

Speech Pathology

Stephanie Watts, PhD CCC-SLP 

Assistant Professor

Laryngology, USF Health Voice Center

Jennifer Larsson, MS, CCC-SLP

Clinical Instructor

Speech Language Pathology

USF Health Voice Center

Megan Urbano, BM, MS, CCC-SLP

Clinical Instructor

Speech Language Pathology

USF Health Voice Center

Advanced Practice Providers

Hoc Dang, PA

Physician’s Assistant

Kayley Wagner, ARNP

Nurse Practitioner

J. Kinneret Ron, MS, FNP-C, APRN

Nurse Practitioner

Christa McNamara, ARPN

Nurse Practitioner

Jaclyn Rothberg, BSHE, DNP, APRN, FNP -BC, CORLN

Nurse Practitioner

Refer to USF Health Otolaryngology -

Head & Neck Surgery

Appointments 813-821-8012

Fax 813-974-7314

Email Otolaryngology@usf.edu

North Tampa Location

USF Health Morsani Center for Advanced Healthcare &

TGH Surgery Center at Morsani

13330 USF Laurel Drive

Tampa, Florida 33612

South Tampa Location

USF Health South Tampa Center for Advanced Healthcare

2 Tampa General Circle

Tampa, Florida 33606