State of the Department

Message from the Interim Chair

Each new academic year provides an opportunity to re-affirm the mission and values that guide members of the Department of Otolaryngology at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University. As delineated on our mission/vision/values statement page, “Our vision is a community where individuals can access optimal care.”  Community emphasizes the many people who help realize this goal and are unified in the delivery of care that includes the staff, residents, nurses, basic and clinician scientists and students led by the excellent faculty. The concept of community is also foundational to the multidisciplinary communities that faculty in the department have established to support optimal care delivery, linking us to colleagues throughout the health system. In this way, our patients with head and neck cancer, facial nerve disorders, hearing loss, dysphagia and pediatric airway disorders receive treatment plans based on best-evidence and individualized care models.  The patient testimonials found in the clinical divisions section of our website tell the stories of how members of the Downstate otolaryngology community have provided life-changing care. Motivated to continually enhance care, faculty and residents dedicate themselves to “clinical, basic and translational research to share knowledge, identify best practices and fill knowledge gaps” which was again recognized this year with presentations at our national scientific meetings.  We welcome you to learn more about the SUNY Downstate department of Otolaryngology to see how we bring our vision of patient care, research and teaching to life.