Transforming Otolaryngology Excellence | | TIME Names Earflo in Best Inventions of 2025 | |
A CI Helped Her Resume an Active Lifestyle
When Sally Sherman, PhD, Associate Professor of Practice at Pitt’s Department of Health and Human Development, was watching a photographer take her daughter’s senior pictures in August 2024, she abruptly lost her hearing in one ear. Read More
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New Implant Restores Function After Cancer
When Deborah Sofranko, of South Fayette, PA, saw white patches on her upper gum, little did she know that the eventual diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma of the maxilla would result in her being the first person in Pittsburgh to have a preprosthetic procedure to replace her teeth. Read More
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Translational Application of Artificial Intelligence in Head & Neck Cancer
At the start of the Eye & Ear Foundation’s August 22, 2025, webinar, “Translational Application of Artificial Intelligence in Head & Neck Cancer,” Steven B. Chinn, MD, MPH, FACS, thanked the Foundation for the invitation to talk about an area of technology near and dear to his heart. The Associate Professor, Co-Director of the Hillman Cancer Head and Neck Cancer Program, and Director of Research and Operations for the Computational Pathology & AI Center of Excellence (CPACE) at Pitt added, “We’re trying to drive integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into healthcare.” Just looking at the last two years of AI in terms of generative AI or image-making capacity, it has dramatically changed and shows what we are able to do. Read More
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Innovations in the Management of Otitis Media
Peter L. Santa Maria’s clinical practice and research all involve otitis media. The MD, PhD with many titles, including Professor; Division Chief of Otology & Neurotology; Vice Chair of Translational and Clinical Research, Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery; Director of Faculty Innovation, Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship; Co-Director, Pittsburgh CREATES; Co-Director, Pitt SPARK and Gorongosa SPARK; and Adjunct Professor, Bioengineering, Carnegie Mellon University, gave an overview of what his lab and their collaborators are working on in the Eye & Ear Foundation's July 25th webinar, "Innovations in the Management of Otitis Media." Read More
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Dr. Ryan Soose, MD, received the ISSS (International Surgical Sleep Society) Lifetime Achievement Award.
Dr. Christine Yver, MD, MBA, and Dr. Rachel Whelan, MD, were selected by the American Board of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery (ABOHNS) to join the Task Force for New Materials, a group of physicians responsible for developing questions for the Otolaryngology Training Exam. They join several other Pitt Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery faculty who serve as examiners and exam council members with the American Board of Otolaryngology, including Drs. Zevallos, Maxwell, Simons, and Chi.
Dr. Jeffrey Simons, MD, MMM, was appointed Associate Editor for Education for The Laryngoscope, where he will be responsible for overseeing all manuscript submissions related to residency training, simulation, and surgical education. In addition, Dr. Simons was accepted into the American College of Surgeons Academy of Master Surgeon Educators—an honor recognizing excellence in surgical education.
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The Eye & Ear Foundation, an independent 501(c)(3) organization, was founded in 1985 to foster support for the Departments of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh through the generous support of individuals and organizations.
In supporting these world-class Departments, we hold ourselves to the same high standards. We plan to keep moving forward, expanding our support network, and helping the Departments of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery stand peerless in the distinction of research and education and, ultimately, the highest level of care provided to our patients.
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