USC CARUSO DEPARTMENT OF OTOLARYNGOLOGY – HEAD & NECK SURGERY |
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The relationships that form between patients and physicians are often close and always personal. They are special relationships: confidential and without secrets. Over time, these relationships can even become friendships. I cherish this part of my job and take it very seriously, and I know our faculty do as well.
At USC, I have seen that many patients who enjoy a close relationship with their doctor choose to show their support with some sort of gift. These gifts are extremely meaningful to us, no matter the size or scope. I keep a file with some of the most treasured thank-you letters I have received from my patients. Sometimes patients bring in food, but we don’t keep that! It is immediately enjoyed by all.
Some patients choose to support their trusted physician by making a philanthropic donation to USC. The funds can be designated however the patient desires, and even small amounts are helpful and very meaningful. A donation like this is highly significant for the physician because it can provide seed funds to expand their research programs. Often, these seed funds generate preliminary data and permit the faculty member to apply for larger federal grants.
Recently, several grateful patients made donations in the name of one of our adjunct faculty members, Dr. Joseph Sugerman. These patients have treasured his care and friendship over the years. Together, the funds summed up to create an Endowed Chair, one of the most prestigious gifts at any university. Dr. Sugerman recommended directing the endowment to support our Division Chief of Laryngology, Dr. Michael Johns. The endowment pays out an annual distribution in perpetuity, offsetting part of his salary so he can spend even more time with his patients and on his research and teaching. This time enables stellar faculty like Dr. Johns to produce the major advances and impacts that will improve health worldwide.
I am very proud to work with all my colleagues here at USC. Drs. Sugerman and Johns are but two members of an incredible team we have built. Our faculty continue to demonstrate excellence in every way, and in particular, they excel at building trusting relationships with their patients.
Have a great summer!
– John Oghalai, MD
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AO Technologies, founded by USC researchers John Oghalai and Brian Applegate, has secured an ARPA-H small business award to develop a cochleoscope for clinical imaging of the inner ear.
Read more about the cochleoscope
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The newly established Stevie Nicks and Joseph Sugerman, MD, Endowed Chair in Otolaryngology honors the work of a distinguished USC alumnus and longtime collaborator.
Read more about the gift
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The five-year NIH grant will support research on how the inner ear processes complex sounds, such as speech and music.
Read more about the NIH grant
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The American Auditory Society honors Shera for his pioneering research that enhances our understanding of how the human ear separates and detects sound.
Read more about the Carhart Award
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O’Dell was recently promoted to full professor in the USC Caruso Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at the Keck School of Medicine of USC.
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Hur was recently promoted to associate professor in the USC Caruso Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at the Keck School of Medicine of USC.
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The following 10 physicians in ENT have been recognized in Los Angeles Magazine’s 2026 Top Doctors list.
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- Joni Doherty, MD
- Kevin Hur, MD
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Niels Kokot, MD
- Daniel Kwon, MD
- Alexander Markarian, MD
- Roxana Moayer, MD
- Karla O'Dell, MD
- John Oghalai, MD
- Uttam Sinha, MD
- Bozena Wrobel, MD
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KNX-AM LOS ANGELES
A study led by USC otolaryngologist Janet Choi, MD, shows that hearing aids reduce the risk of mortality for those who need and use them.
July 1, 2026
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Educational attainment, hearing loss, hearing aid use and dementia risk
Sub-awardee: Janet Choi, MD, MPH
Sponsor: National Institute on Aging
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Here at the USC Caruso Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, we offer patients the opportunity to participate in clinical trials. Please see our active clinical trials below. Contact our faculty for opportunities that may be suitable for you.
| - Immunotherapy for oral leukoplakia and dysplasia
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A study on patients with Meniere’s disease or vestibular schwannoma – OCT imaging of the human inner ear
- Feasibility study – Reveal 475 system for Bevonescein-assisted intra-operative visualization of nerves in the head and neck surgery
- A study on cochlear implant users to better understand sound processing and music appreciation
- A study on normal hearing listeners investigating sound processing and music appreciation
- Clinical study on hearing loss, hearing device use, and health outcomes
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Association of cannabis use and lung cancer: a retrospective cohort study
Journal: Lung Cancer
Publication Date: June 2026
Authors: Gallagher TJ, Kokot NC, Lopez J, Rodriguez E, Udelsman BV, Wightman SC, Atay SM, Harano T, Rosenberg GM, Nieva JJ, Kim AW
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Persistent disparities in head and neck cancer survival in the United States
Journal: Cancer Causes & Control
Publication Date: June 25, 2026
Authors: Jackert EP, Vimawala S, Tang L, Kwon D, Kokot N, Chambers T, Sinha U, Chai Y, Liu L, Han AY
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Imaging vocal fold medial surface vibration across chest, head, whistle, and creaky voice production using optical coherence tomography: A single subject study
Journal: JASA Express Letters
Publication Date: June 9, 2026
Authors: Zhang Z, Wisniowiecki A, Treinkman M, Wo B, Glenane E, Razura DE, Castro ME, Applegate BE, Johns MM
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Swab-derived viral load as a biomarker of tumor biology in HPV-associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma
Journal: Head & Neck
Publication Date: April 28, 2026
Authors: Jackert EP, Koh M, Vimawala S, Tang L, Kwon D, Kokot N, St John M, Chai Y, Sinha U, Han AY.
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