Bio
Dr. Zara M. Patel is Director of Endoscopic Skull Base Surgery and an Associate Professor of Otolaryngology and, by courtesy, of Neurosurgery at Stanford. She was born and raised in St. Louis, completed her MD at the Oregon Health and Sciences University in Portland, Oregon and completed her residency training in otolaryngology at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York, NY. After pursuing fellowship training in rhinology and endoscopic skull base surgery at Stanford University, she was recruited to join the Emory University faculty in Atlanta in 2011. After four years, the rhinology division recruited her back to the West coast to rejoin the department here at Stanford University.
Dr. Patel is an expert in advanced endoscopic sinus and skull base surgery. She treats patients with a wide variety of rhinologic complaints, including chronic sinus infection or inflammation, sinus disease that has failed medical therapy, sinus disease that has failed prior surgical therapy, cerebrospinal fluid leaks, benign and and malignant sinus and skull base tumors, as well as olfactory disorders.
She is immediate past-Chair of the Education Committee and now Member of the Board of Directors for the American Rhinologic Society and has developed a multitude of educational materials for both physicians and patients to help them better understand rhinologic disorders. She is passionate about educating patients to allow them to make the best decisions about their own care, leading to better outcomes.
Dr. Patel has published widely in topics such as avoiding complications in endoscopic sinus surgery, chronic rhinosinusitis in the immunosuppressed patient population, new devices and techniques for endoscopic skull base surgery, and olfactory dysfunction. She continues to perform research in these areas, and is beginning collaborative efforts with neuroscientists and engineers to develop technology that she hopes will eventually help cure patients with olfactory loss.
Clinical Focus
- Endoscopic Sinus and Skull Base Surgery
- Chronic Rhinosinusitis
- Benign and Malignant Sinus and Skull Base Tumors
- Olfaction and Olfactory Disorders
- Cerebrospinal Fluid Leaks
- Sinusitis
- Nasal Obstruction
- Epiphora, Orbital Tumors, Orbital decompression
- Pituitary Surgery
- Rhinology
- Otolaryngology
Academic Appointments
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Associate Professor - Med Center Line, Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery Divisions
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Associate Professor - Med Center Line (By courtesy), Neurosurgery
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Member, Bio-X
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Member, Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute
Administrative Appointments
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Director of Endoscopic Skull Base Surgery, Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (2017 - Present)
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Director Rhinology Fellowship, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Stanford University (2015 - Present)
Honors & Awards
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Fellow, American Rhinologic Society (2016)
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Woodruff Teaching Award, Emory University (2014)
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Mount Sinai Resident Teaching Award, Mount Sinai Medical School (2010)
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First Place, New York City Otolaryngology Resident Research Day (2008)
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Leadership Grant, American Academy of Otolaryngology (2007, 2008)
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Campbell Scholarhsip, Oregon Health and Sciences University (2004)
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Inductee, National Medical Honors Society, Alpha Omega Alpha (2004)
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OHSU Rose Award, Oregon Health and Sciences University (2003)
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Miller Memorial Fund Scholarship, University of Missouri (2001-2003)
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Hughes Academic Achievement Award, State of Missouri (2000)
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Inductee, National Honor Society, Phi Bet Kappa (2000)
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Inductee, National Honor Society, Phi Eta SIgma (1998)
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Bright Flight Scholarship, University of Missouri (1997-2001)
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National Merit Finalist, National Merit Scholarship Corporation (1997)
Boards, Advisory Committees, Professional Organizations
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Member, Board of Directors, American Rhinologic Society (2018 - Present)
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Member, Scientific Program Committee, American Academy of Otolaryngology (2016 - Present)
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Chair, Education Committee, American Rhinologic Society (2014 - 2017)
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Member, Adult Sinusitis Guideline Committee, American Academy of Otolaryngology (2014 - 2015)
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Member, Rhinology and Allergy Education Committee, American Academy of Otolaryngology (2013 - Present)
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Member, Legislative Representatives Committee, Board of Governors, American Academy of Otolaryngology (2012 - Present)
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Member, Program Committee, American Rhinologic Society (2012 - 2016)
Professional Education
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Residency: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (2010) NY
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Internship: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (2006) NY
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Board Certification: American Board of Otolaryngology, Otolaryngology (2011)
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Fellowship: Stanford School of Medicine (2011) CA
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Medical Education: Oregon Health Science University (2005) OR