USC Head and Neck Center

🌐👨‍⚕️ We’re excited to share some of the recent achievements of our medical director, Dr. Uttam Sinha!

On May 24, Dr. Sinha had the honor of traveling to Taiwan for the Ji-Chuan Yang International Lecture on Head and Neck Oncology as the 2024 Honored Lecturer, organized by the Taiwan Head and Neck Society. His insights and expertise were greatly appreciated by all attendees. Swipe left to see some snapshots from the event! 📸

🖥️ More recently, Dr. Sinha made a significant contribution to the Sheng-Po Hao Retirement Virtual Webinar, where he presented on a very timely and important topic - Addiction. His presentation was insightful and sparked a lot of interesting discussions. Check out the second set of photos to get a glimpse of this virtual event! 📸

We’re incredibly proud of Dr. Sinha’s contributions to the field and his ongoing commitment to sharing knowledge both locally and internationally. Stay tuned for more updates on our team’s work! 👏

A HUGE congratulations to Coffee with the Caregivers on their 4th anniversary! Your dedication to supporting caregivers in our community is truly inspiring. Here’s to many more years of coffee, connection and care. Cheers!

Coffee with the Caregivers is a once-a-month support group for Caregivers. Join us on June 8th at 10am. Please register on their website if you haven’t done so yet this year!

www.hncsupport.org

🌟 Empowering Voices: Advanced TE Voice Prosthesis Management at USC 🌟

🗓️ Date: Friday, May 31, 2024
📍 Venue: Hyatt House LA University Medical Center

The USC Head and Neck Center co-hosted a conference with ATOS Medical, diving deep into the management of tracheoesophageal (TE) voice prostheses.

🔍 Expert Insight: Dr. Niels K***t presented an in-depth analysis on “Surgical & Medical Interventions for Voice Prosthesis Management,” where he unraveled the complexities of post-laryngectomy rehabilitation.

🔹 Advanced Learning: Participants delved into advanced practices, exploring clinical and medical management of TE voice prostheses and punctures, tackling dysphagia, and enhancing voice outcomes.

🎤 Voice Reimagined: We explored innovative strategies to enhance the lives of individuals with total laryngectomy, reaffirming our commitment to voice rehabilitation and patient empowerment.

👥 Building Teams: The panel discussion with the USC Head and Neck Center team outlined the path to building a successful multidisciplinary team, featuring insights from our own experts and Jodi Datema, MS, CCC-SLP, MSOL, from Loma Linda University.

Our heartfelt thanks go to ATOS Medical and all the brilliant minds who contributed to the overwhelming success of this conference.

🌟 News from COSM 2024 🌟

We’re beaming with pride as our very own USC medical students, Tyler Gallagher and Tobi Ayo-Ajibola, have made a remarkable impact at the COSM 2024 conference!

🔬 Tyler received the AHNS award for the best prevention and early detection paper, alongside the AHNS best poster award.

🏆 Meanwhile, Tobi’s groundbreaking work has been recognized with the AOS 1st place poster award.

Join us in celebrating their achievements and encouraging the pursuit of excellence in medical research.

Swipe to see their award-winning moments! ➡️

🌟 Unveiling the cover of USC Health Magazine’s 2024 Issue One, we bring you the heartening story of a patient’s valiant fight against cancer, guided by the expertise of their head and neck surgeon, Dr. Niels K***t.

📖 Delve into the pages to discover a narrative filled with challenges, victories, and the indomitable spirit of a survivor. Dr. K***t’s dedication and skill play a pivotal role in this journey, offering a beacon of hope to many.

🔗 Explore the digital copy for a deeper insight into their story and join us in honoring the resilience that defines a true warrior. https://www.keckmedicine.org/magazine/total-laryngectomy-voice-recovery/

We’re taking a moment to celebrate and honor our incredible nursing team at the USC Head and Neck Center. Their dedication, compassion, and commitment to patient care is truly inspiring.

Meet our superstars:

💥Gabriela Contreras, LVN
💥Elizabeth Fletes, LVN
💥Kimberly Sherid, FNP-BC
💥Amy Surnock, FNP-BC

Each one of them brings their unique skills and experiences to our team, making a difference in the lives of our patients every day. Their tireless efforts and unwavering dedication are what make us proud to call them our colleagues.

This week, we not only celebrate our team, but nurses everywhere. Your hard work and dedication do not go unnoticed. We thank you for all that you do. 💙

🎓✨ Moments of learning and compassion!

Our MS in Speech-Language Pathology students had the unique opportunity to meet with brave individuals who have undergone laryngectomies.

This past Monday at Keck Medicine of USC, students sat down with patients to hear their stories of surgery, treatment, and life beyond. It was a day filled with insightful questions and shared experiences, highlighting the significant role of SLPs in supporting quality of life post-surgery.

Swipe to see the heartwarming interactions capturing the spirit of our future healthcare professionals alongside the inspiring patients and dedicated faculty.

Today, we commence National Physicians Week, a time to celebrate the exceptional individuals in the field of medicine. We extend our deepest gratitude to the dedicated physicians at the USC Head and Neck Center:

Dr. Uttam K. Sinha
Dr. Niels C. K***t
Dr. Tamara Chambers
Dr. Mark S. Swanson
Dr. Daniel I. Kwon
Dr. Albert Y. Han
Dr. Liyang Tang

Their commitment to patient care and medical innovation represents the pinnacle of healthcare excellence.

We also recognize the tireless efforts of physicians around the world. Your dedication to the health and well-being of your communities embodies the spirit of this important week.

Thank you to all physicians for your invaluable contributions to society.

🌉✨ Team Spotlight from the 2024 Convergence CSHA Conference in San Francisco! ✨🌉

In attendance we had Dr. Uttam Sinha, Dr. Anisa Shaker (via Zoom) Dr. Brenda Villegas, Dr. Melody Ouyoung and Amy Wilke, our clinical dietitian!

Their first session together was on “Managing Complex Dysphagia Patients: Case Study Learning.” 🏥📚

Their collaborative spirit and dedication to advancing patient care left everyone eager for their next enlightening session.

🎉 It's , and we're celebrating our superstar RD, Amy Wilke, MS, RD, LD, CNSC! 💪 Amy is the nutrition powerhouse behind our Head and Neck Center, helping patients find tasty, nourishing foods during treatment and beyond! 🍎🍲 We're so grateful to have her!

We're curious - what are the unique nutrition challenges faced by head and neck patients? Let us know below! 👇

We are thrilled to announce that two of our head and neck surgeons, Dr. Uttam K. Sinha and Dr. Niels C. K***t, have been recognized as Castle Connolly Top Doctors for 2024!

This prestigious award honors the best physicians in the nation, as nominated by their peers and verified by Castle Connolly’s rigorous research process.

Dr. Sinha has been a Castle Connolly Top Doctor since 2000 and Dr. K***t since 2017, demonstrating their consistent excellence and leadership in the field of head and neck surgery.

We are proud to have them on our team and grateful for their dedication to providing the highest quality of care to our patients.

Please join us in congratulating them on this well-deserved honor! 🎉

Today is National Caregivers Day, a day to honor and appreciate the people who provide personal care and support to those who need it most. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with head and neck cancer, you know how challenging and stressful it can be. You also know how valuable and vital a caregiver can be.

You are heroes who provide comfort, hope and strength to your loved ones. Thank you for being a caregiver. 🙏Happy ! 💙

🌟 Join Us for the 2nd Annual Head and Neck Cancer Patient & Caregiver Symposium! 🌟

🗓️ Date: April 6, 2024 ⏰ Time: 8:00 am - 1:00 pm PDT 📍 Location: Mayer Auditorium (Keck School of Medicine Campus), 1975 Zonal Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90089

This empowering event is designed to provide education, support and resources for patients and caregivers affected by head and neck cancer.

Here’s what you can expect:
Ask the Expert Sessions: Interact with our multidisciplinary team of specialists and learn about the latest advances in treatment, rehabilitation, and survivorship.

Exhibitor Booths: Explore valuable resources and network with other attendees.

Free Registration and Parking: Thanks to the generous support of our exhibitors, registration and parking are FREE! But hurry—space is limited.

Let’s come together to empower ourselves with knowledge and hope. Register today to secure your spot! 🎗️🌿

👉 Register Now: https://qrco.de/hncpc24

🌟 Exciting News About Specialized Care for Head and Neck Tumors! 🌟

Dr. Liyang Tang is now available to see patients at the Santa Clarita Clinic! 🏥

🗓️ Clinic Hours:

Dr. Tang will be there every 1st, 3rd, and 5th Wednesday afternoon.

Dr. Uttam Sinha will be available on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays.

👩‍⚕️👨‍⚕️ Both doctors are committed to serving the Santa Clarita community with compassion and expertise.

📍
25751 McBean Pkwy. Suite 305 Santa Clarita, CA 91355

We are excited to announce that Dr. Albert Y. Han will be a guest speaker for Head and Neck Cancer Support International, Inc.'s online support group meeting on February 3 at 10am PST. Dr. Han will share his insights and expertise on the latest advances in head and neck cancer treatment and research.

Albert Y. Han, MD, PhD, is a board-certified, fellowship-trained head and neck surgeon. His practice is focused on providing the highest quality of care for patients with head and neck cancers. He is specially trained in robotic surgery and the management of advanced head and neck cancers. He works in a multidisciplinary team of surgeons, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, and speech/swallow specialists to develop a personalized plan for each patient. Dr. Han has already published over 40 peer-reviewed publications and leads an active cancer research laboratory at the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center. Dr. Han received his training from MD Anderson and UCLA prior to coming to USC.

To register for this meeting, please visit: www.hncsupport.com/hnc-activities/support-meetings/ and fill out the form. You will receive a confirmation email with the Zoom link and password. We hope to see you there!

Two weeks ago, Dr. Uttam Sinha, traveled to the Central Coast to perform three complex surgeries at the Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center, Tenet Health.

Dr. Sinha is a world-renowned expert in head and neck cancer, thyroid cancer, plastic and reconstructive surgery, trauma, and speech and swallowing. He was assisted by Dr. Bhavishya Clark, a talented and compassionate surgeon who specializes in otolaryngology and was a former USC OHNS resident. ✌

Together, they successfully treated three patients who suffered from various head and neck conditions, improving their quality of life and restoring their hope.

We congratulate Dr. Sinha and Dr. Clark for their outstanding work and dedication to excellence. 🎉

We are so grateful for the opportunity to serve our patients and their families throughout the year. As we celebrate this festive season, we want to express our appreciation for your trust and support in our work. We hope you have a wonderful holiday and a prosperous new year! 🎁🎉

From our USC Head and Neck Center family to yours, Happy Holidays! 🎄❤️