UCLA Department of Head and Neck Surgery: Excellence in Patient Care, Research, and Education
The UCLA Department of Head and Neck Surgery is a leading institution dedicated to providing exceptional patient care, advancing medical knowledge, and training the next generation of head and neck surgeons. With multiple office locations, the department offers a wide range of consultative and therapeutic services for adult and pediatric patients, addressing both common and complex ear, nose, and throat disorders.
Comprehensive Patient Care
The UCLA Department of Head and Neck Surgery is committed to maintaining excellence in patient care. Consultative and therapeutic services are provided for adult and pediatric patients with conditions pertaining to:
- Voice, swallowing, and airway disorders
- Hearing and balance disorders
- Nasal and sinus disorders
- Head and neck surgical oncology
- Microvascular and reconstructive surgery
Our head and neck surgeons consistently rank among the best in the nation.
Advancing Medical Knowledge Through Research
Research faculty in the UCLA Department of Head and Neck Surgery are united in their mission to advance medical knowledge in basic and clinical science of the head and neck including speech, voice, and hearing functions. This commitment to research ensures that patients receive the most innovative and effective treatments available.
Maie St. John, M.D., Ph.D., F.A.C.S., a distinguished figure in the field, exemplifies this dedication. Her research has focused on the mechanisms of tumor progression and metastasis in head and neck cancers, translating findings into new therapy approaches. Her funded research portfolio includes multiple NIH grants that bridge basic science with clinical research and service.
Read also: Comprehensive UCLA Health Doctor Guide
Academic Programs and Training
The Department of Head and Neck Surgery academic programs consist of a nationally recognized residency program, medical school education, prestigious fellowships, and ongoing continuing medical education.
The department's commitment to education is evident in its comprehensive training programs, which include:
- Residency Program: A nationally recognized program that prepares the next generation of head and neck surgeons.
- Medical School Education: Providing medical students with a strong foundation in head and neck anatomy, physiology, and pathology.
- Fellowships: Offering advanced training in specialized areas of head and neck surgery.
- Continuing Medical Education: Ensuring that practicing physicians stay up-to-date on the latest advances in the field.
Notable Faculty and Their Contributions
The UCLA Department of Head and Neck Surgery boasts a team of highly skilled and dedicated physicians.
Dr. Marc Cohen: A board-certified specialist by the American Board of Otolaryngology, Dr. Cohen is also a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a member of the American Academy of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery. Dr. Cohen has served in several prominent leadership roles including being an active Assistant Clinical Professor at UCLA in the Department of Head & Neck Surgery and acting as Chief of Surgery at Providence Cedars-Sinai Tarzana Medical Center. Previously, he was honored with the UCLA award for best teaching faculty member. During his medical training, Dr. Marc Cohen has been featured on ABC News to discuss Thyroid Cancer, sharing his expert insights as an ENT specialist.
Dr. Oliver Gantz: He earned his Bachelor's Degree in Biochemistry with a Minor in Business Administration at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, CA. He continued at USC for his medical training and received his Medical Degree at the Keck School of Medicine of USC, graduating with Highest Distinction. He completed his Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery training at LAC+USC Medical Center in Los Angeles, one of the nation's largest and busiest public hospitals.
Read also: Ophthalmology Research at UCLA
Maie St. John, M.D., Ph.D., F.A.C.S.: St. John currently serves as professor and chair of the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at UCLA, where she also holds the Thomas C. Calcaterra, M.D., Chair in Head and Neck Surgery. In addition to her surgical leadership, she is a professor of bioengineering and co-director of the UCLA Health Head and Neck Cancer Program. As executive director of cancer research and education at the UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, St. John has also played a key role in the training and mentorship of future physician-scientists. She earned her undergraduate degree with honors and distinction from Stanford University, followed by an M.D./Ph.D. from Yale University School of Medicine. St. John completed her residency in general surgery and head and neck surgery, as well as a postdoctoral fellowship, at UCLA. She also holds a business of medicine certificate from the Harvard T.H.
Clare Moffatt: Clare switched her specialty from general surgery to otolaryngology, sometimes referred to as head and neck surgery or ear, nose, and throat (ENT) surgery. With support from her mentors, she dedicated herself to learning as much about her new field as possible. UCLA selected her for the R25 Head and Neck Surgery Medical Student Mentored Research Pathway, which enables her to complete a dedicated research year with the UCLA Laryngeal Physiology Laboratory. Guided by renowned laryngologist Dinesh K.
Navigating to UCLA Department of Head and Neck Surgery
For those seeking care at the UCLA Department of Head and Neck Surgery, the following directions and parking information may be helpful:
Parking Information:
Parking is in short supply throughout Santa Monica, including the area near UCLA Medical Center, Santa Monica. There are, however, several parking options available to patients and visitors. Metered street parking is in effect every day, except Sunday. Patients and visitors to Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center have valet parking services available on Westwood Plaza. You may also choose to use the UCLA Medical Plaza paid parking garage. For patients who use UCLA Medical Plaza services frequently, 10-day and 30-day parking passes are available at significantly reduced rates.
Directions:
- From the North: Exit Wilshire east; or from the south, exit Wilshire Westwood. Heading toward campus on Westwood Boulevard, turn right onto Weyburn Avenue. Make your first left into the parking entrance. There is another entrance if you make a right from Westwood Boulevard onto Le Conte.
- From the 10 Freeway (Santa Monica Fwy.): Take 10 (Santa Monica Fwy.) east to 405 (San Diego Fwy.) north, and exit on Wilshire Boulevard. east.
- From Westwood Blvd: From Westwood Blvd, proceed across Le Conte Ave. and make a left at the next light, Medical Plaza Drive.
- From 1250 16th Street, Santa Monica: Exit at Cloverfield Boulevard (north) to Santa Monica Boulevard. Turn left (west) on Santa Monica Boulevard. Turn right (north) on 16th Street to 1250 16th Street. Connect with the 10 Freeway West and follow the directions above or exit Wilshire Boulevard West (from the San Fernando Valley), merge onto Wilshire Boulevard. Turn left (south) on 16th Street to 1250 16th Street.
- Directions to another location: Coming off of the exit turn Right onto S. Then move immediately into the left lane and turn left onto E. Make your third left onto Long Court. Follow Moody Court up the hill and just before the dead end/cul-de-sac turn left into our parking lot. The UCLA Health building also has signage for Hogan Insurance. Note that we have two large suites in the building. Coming off of the exit turn Left onto S. Turn Right onto E. When you see Corrigan's Steak House on the right side of E. Follow Moody Court up the hill and just before the dead end/cul-de-sac turn Left into our parking lot. The UCLA Health building also has signage for Hogan Insurance. Note that we have two large suites in the building.
Supporting the UCLA Department of Head and Neck Surgery
Philanthropic support plays a vital role in sustaining the UCLA Department of Head and Neck Surgery's mission. Your gift helps ensure that we can continue as a leader in the study and care of common and complex ear, nose, and throat disorders.
Read also: UCLA vs. Illinois: Basketball History
tags: #UCLA #otolaryngology
