2020 OHNS News
– News CenterStanford Health Care introduces new, less invasive treatment for benign thyroid nodules
A recently approved technique for radio-frequency ablation treats or prevents problems caused by thyroid nodules, providing an alternative to surgical removal of the gland.
– THANC FoundationLisa A. Orloff
Dr. Lisa Orloff is an Otolaryngologist—Head and Neck Surgeon at Stanford, and she is Director of the Endocrine Head and Neck Surgery Program and the Stanford Thyroid Tumor Program within the Stanford Cancer Center. Dr. Orloff was specially trained in microvascular and laryngeal surgical techniques, and is an expert in using ultrasonography to diagnose and manage head and neck diseases, with a particular emphasis on thyroid cancer. She holds many leadership roles within her field, and she works alongside doctors and researchers around the world. When she talks about the advances and tools of her specialty, Dr. Orloff sees them
New Chair of Otolaryngology — Head & Neck Surgery
Dear Colleagues,
I am delighted to announce that Konstantina Stankovic, MD, PhD, the Chief of the Division of Otology and Neurotology at Massachusetts Eye and Ear, will be appointed Stanford University School of Medicine’s next Chair of Otolaryngology — Head & Neck Surgery.
Dr. Stankovic has established herself as a researcher, ear and skull base surgeon, and exceptional leader. Paramount to her achievements is a multidisciplinary and collaborative approach that enables her to address some of the most intractable challenges in her field. As a researcher, Dr. Stankovic focuses on sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) – a sensory deficit expected to impact 900 million people by 2025. Through her work, she facilitates the creation of tools to establish cellular-level diagnoses of SNHL to guide therapy and develops pharmacological therapies to prevent, halt, or reverse SNHL. Among her many research accomplishments, Dr. Stankovic has extracted energy from the inner ear to run electronics, built a chip for a fully implantable cochlear implant, and developed a method for the optical imaging of cells inside the inner ear without the use of contrast dyes.
At Massachusetts Eye and Ear, as the chief of the largest division of otology and neurotology in the country, Dr. Stankovic has proven adept at translating her research successes to care for patients with the highest clinical complexity. One of her primary focuses has been identifying mechanisms by which intracranial tumors cause hearing loss to identify prognostic and therapeutic molecular biomarkers. In addition to her immense skill in research and clinical care, Dr. Stankovic also is a valued mentor to undergraduate and medical students, residents, and clinical and research fellows – many of whom now hold positions in academic otolaryngology.
I want to thank the search committee — led by Quynh Le, MD, and Jeff Goldberg, MD, PhD — for conducting a thorough national search to identify a leader of such achievement and commitment to excellence across research, education, and patient care.
I also want to share my deep gratitude to Rob Jackler, MD, for serving 17 years as chair of the Department of Otolaryngology — Head & Neck Surgery. His tireless dedication and strategic vision elevated not only his department but the entirety of Stanford Medicine. Dr. Jackler’s many contributions to science as a leader, researcher, and patient care provider will have an enduring impact on our institution and those we serve. I am appreciative that Dr. Jackler will remain chair until Dr. Stankovic begins on June 15, 2021.
Both David Entwistle, president and CEO of Stanford Health Care, and Paul King, president and CEO of Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford and Stanford Children’s Health, share my strong support of Dr. Stankovic’s appointment. Please join us in extending a warm welcome to Dr. Stankovic when she arrives next June.
Sincerely,
Lloyd Minor, MD
Carl and Elizabeth Naumann Dean
Stanford University School of Medicine
January 31, 2020
First two thyroid RFA (Radiofrequency Ablation) procedures
We are so excited to announce that our head and neck surgeons, Dr. Lisa Orloff and Dr. Julia Noel, successfully completed the first two thyroid RFA (Radiofrequency Ablation) cases yesterday in the clinic. This is a novel procedure to Stanford, which we were able to perform in the clinic under local anesthesia instead of in the OR. This new, scarless procedure allows for patients to be treated under ultrasound guidance, using energy to ablate rather than surgery to remove benign thyroid nodules. We are so proud of our providers for leading the way, and continuing to uphold our reputation as leaders and innovators in the field of ultrasound-guided technology and thyroid health, maintaining Stanford’s preeminence.
World-Class Care by a World-Class Team
The Stanford Endocrine Head and Neck (Thyroid and Parathyroid) Surgery Program provides comprehensive, high-quality care for patients with thyroid and parathyroid conditions using both surgical and non-surgical approaches.
Our program emphasizes recognizing and treating the whole person and all of the structures and functions that are associated with their thyroid and parathyroid glands.
If you are looking for exceptional care for yourself or a loved one, call our clinic at:
(650) 498-6000
