Patient Care
U.S. News & World Report ranks Vanderbilt Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery among top programs in the nation and we are proud to be ranked as the number one adult hospital in the state of Tennessee and metropolitan Nashville.
Our robust research program, nationally and internationally recognized team of experts, cutting-edge technology and innovative specialty programs all work together to create a powerhouse otolaryngology group committed to improving technology, offering innovative treatment options and putting the needs of our patients first.
Our Sub-specialties and Further Information
Open any of the items below for further details and contact information.
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To refer a patient to Vanderbilt Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery services:
- Adult referrals (other than Voice Center): (615) 322-6180 (ph); (615) 936-8929 (fax)
- Pediatric referrals: (615) 936-8176 (ph)
- Voice Center referrals: (615) 343-7464 (ph); (615) 936-8929 (fax)
- Or, send on-line referrals via Vanderbilt Health Connect (requires pre-registration)
Coordinated Care Programs for Adult Patients
- Adult Complex Airway Program: (615) 343-0540; (615) 322-9277 (fax)
- Cochlear Implants: (615) 875-1038; (615) 936-7374 (fax); Cochlearimplants@vumc.org
- Facial Nerve Disorders Program & Facial Plastics: (615) 875-9754; (615) 936-8929 (fax)
- Head and Neck Cancer: (615) 875-1193; (615) 875-1194 (fax)
- Microtia/Atresia: (615) 322-6180; microtiaatresiaclinc@vumc.org
- Sleep Surgery: (615) 322-6180
- Skull Base Center/Acoustic Neuroma Program: (615) 936-0730; (615) 875-7417 (fax); skullbasecenter@vumc.org
- Upper Airway Stimulation Program: (615) 936-3002
Coordinated Care Programs for Pediatric Patients
- Pediatric Anterior Skull Base: (615) 875-0113
- Pediatric Cleft-Craniofacial Clinic: (615) 875-3725
- Pediatric Complex Aerodigestive Evaluation Team (CADET): (615) 343-0540
- Pediatric Refractory Obstructive Sleep Apnea (ROSA): (615) 936-4541
- Pediatric Tracheostomy Clinic: nichole.m.johnson@vumc.org and Erica.l.kreifels@vumc.org
- Pediatric Thyroid, Head, and Neck Masses: (615) 875-0113
- Pediatric Vascular Anomalies: (615) 875-0113
- Pediatric Velopharyngeal Insufficiency (VPI): (615) 875-0113
- Pediatric Voice: (615) 343-7464
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As a national leader in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, we see patients from all 50 states and around the world. Our Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery team has worked to streamline coordination of care, offering out-of-town patients a full day of appointments that can include diagnosis, creation of a care plan, and, in some circumstances, even surgery on the same day.
Our specialists, leadership, and resources have brought international renown to the Vanderbilt Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery program. Our team knows that healthcare is always evolving, and we are committed to growing with it to provide the best possible care for each of our patient's unique needs.
To contact care coordinated programs, see specific numbers in our Contact Us section above.
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If you are a referring physician, Vanderbilt provides real-time access to clinical data for your adult patients. Visit Vanderbilt Health Connect to:
- Make patient referrals
- Submit orders for select imaging
- Review records, test results, and imaging reports
- Receive notifications about your patient's outpatient appointments, ED visits, and admissions
- Easily communicate with your patient's Vanderbilt care team
- Access to clinical notes, physician directory, and on-call schedules
To enroll in Vanderbilt Health Connect, please sign the site agreement.
For referrals by phone, see specific numbers in our Contact Us section above.
For adult patient referral questions or concerns, please call:
- Physician Liaison Department: (615) 936-6500 or (800) 288-5000, extension 6-6500.
For pediatric patient referral questions or concerns, please call:
- Pediatric Physician Liaison Department: (615) 936-6025
For referrals to other Vanderbilt University Medical Center departments, consult Vanderbilt Health.
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Our Team
The Vanderbilt Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery team members are highly regarded experts in the field. Our surgeons frequently speak both nationally and internationally about cutting-edge research and treatment in microtia and atresia, facial nerve disorders and reanimation, combined sinus and rhinoplasty surgery, and more.
We also work closely with the following related programs and services:
- Cosmetic Surgery
- Facial Nerve Disorders Program
- Microtia and Atresia Program
- Otology
- Rhinology
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Our Team
Franklin Clinic
919 Murfreesboro Rd. Franklin, TN 37064
Nashville Clinic
1215 21st Ave. South, Suite 7209, Nashville, TN 37232
The Vanderbilt Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery team has surgical privileges at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt in Nashville, and the Cool Springs Surgery Center in Franklin, ensuring that patients have access to the latest surgical techniques and treatment options.
We also work closely with the following related programs and services:
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Our Team
- Alexander J. Langerman, MD
- Kyle Mannion, MD
- James L. Netterville, MD
- Sarah L. Rohde, MD, MMHC
- Eben L. Rosenthal, MD
- Robert J. Sinard, MD
- Michael C. Topf, MD
- Jamie Gray Wiggleton, APRN, MSN
The Vanderbilt Head and Neck Surgery team is internationally recognized for innovative treatment options for rare diseases, such as paranasal sinus cancer, microvascular reconstruction of the head and neck, and a novel surgical approach to Zenker's diverticulum. Vanderbilt is one of few medical centers in the country that performs a complex surgery to remove rare vagal schwannomas tumors yet preserve nerve function in the head and neck.
Our team provides access to a variety of clinical trials for head and neck cancer at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center. Vanderbilt-Ingram is designated as a National Cancer Institute (NCI) Comprehensive Cancer Center. Our team is committed to continually exploring new and innovative treatments.
We partner very closely with Medical Oncology and Radiation Oncology to form the larger head and neck oncology team.
We also work closely with the following related programs and services:
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Our Team
Laryngologists
- K. Charles Fletcher, MD
- C. Gaelyn Garrett, MMHC, MD
- Alexander Gelbard, MD
- Kimberly N. Vinson, MD
- Robert H. Ossoff, DMD, MD (Emeritus)
- Thomas F. Cleveland, PhD (Emeritus)
Voice Speech Pathology
- Jennifer Muckala, MA, CCC-SLP
- Rachel Crews, MS, CCC-SLP
- Emily Duke Wishik, MS, CCC-SLP
- Amy S. Stone, MS, CCC-SLP
- Elizabeth Tremblay, BM, MS, CCC-SLP
The Professional Voice Services Care team utilizes advanced technology, cutting-edge research, comprehensive treatment options, and innovative clinical trials, such as a laryngeal pacemaker for bilateral vocal cord paralysis.
The Vanderbilt Voice Center is located in the heart of Nashville - Music City USA. We are proud to be the destination of choice for the many professional singers, songwriters, and other performing artists who seek preventative care to keep their vocal instrument healthy. We apply that expertise to non-singers as well, including teachers, ministers, call center employees, or the grandparent who wants to read to their grandchild.
Beyond voice issues, we are also one of the busiest complex airway reconstructive programs and spasmodic dysphonia practices in the nation. We offer patients video imaging of the larynx, as well as a variety of other in-office testing and procedures.
We also work closely with the following related programs and services:
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Our Team
- David S. Haynes, MD, MMHC
- Marc L. Bennett, MD, MMHC
- Taha A. Jan, MD
- Aaron C. Moberly, MD
- Matthew R. O'Malley, MD
- Elizabeth Perkins, MD
- Kareem Tawfik, MD
- Kenneth E. Watford, DNP, APRN
- Emily Brignola, APRN
The Vanderbilt Otology and Neurotology team diagnoses and treats ear disorders related to balance, hearing loss, and skull base tumors. Our team runs one of the busiest ear disorder programs in the country and has performed more than 25,000 ear surgeries. We have been a leading cochlear implant center for forty years, having performed our first Cochlear Implant in 1980. We have the largest cochlear implant program by volume of surgery and research in the United States.
The Vanderbilt Otology and Neurotology team has recently introduced a new coordinated care option for out-of-town patients seeking our expertise. Patients can undergo testing, a physician consultation and, if necessary, implant placement all during one full-day visit to Vanderbilt. It's part of our team's commitment to putting patient care first and improving the overall quality of care.
We also work closely with the following related programs and services:
- Vanderbilt Bill Wilkerson Center
- Vanderbilt Hearing and Speech
- Vanderbilt Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery
- Vanderbilt Neurosurgery
- Vanderbilt Radiation Oncology
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Our Team
- Ryan H. Belcher, MD
- James D. Phillips, MD
- Scott J. Stephan, MD
- Christopher T. Wootten, MD, MMHC
- Frank W. Virgin, Jr., MD
- Jay A. Werkhaven, MD
- Amy S. Whigham, MD, MS-HPEd
- Lyndy J. Wilcox, MD
- Alison L. Cohen, NP, APRN-BC
- Lauren F. DeVine, MSN, CPNP-PC
- Elizabeth A. Herbert, MSN, PNP
- Abbey Hewitt, PA-C
- Danielle Knox, PNP, CPNP-AC
- Filipina C. Schnabel, MD, MPH, DNP, FNP-BC, APRN
- Courtney P. Zimmerman, APRN, MSN, CPNP-AC/PC
Complex pediatric ENT problems require skilled and nuanced solutions. The Vanderbilt Pediatric Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery team works closely with additional experts at Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital, spearheading multidisciplinary care in programs like the Complex Aerodigestive Evaluation Team (CADET), and the Velopharyngeal Insufficiency Program (VPI). The Vanderbilt Pediatric Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery team also has experience in treating conditions like cleft lip, cleft palate, vascular anomalies, and refractory obstructive sleep apnea.
We offer clinics at the main Children's Hospital location, Murfreesboro, and Spring Hill, where we see more than 25,000 outpatient visitors and perform more than 6,000 surgeries each year.
We also work closely with the following related programs and services:
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Our Team
- Rick Chandra, MD, MMHC
- Naweed I. Chowdhury, MD
- David T. Kent, MD
- Paul T. Russell III, MD
- Timothy H. Trone, MD
- Justin H.Turner, MD, PhD
- James A. Duncavage, MD (Emeritus)
- Sarah Taylor
- Holly Budnick, APRN
The Vanderbilt Rhinology, Skull Base, and Sleep Surgery team has extensive training and experience in the management of sinus diseases. As national leaders in the field, we understand the full scope of issues that can affect the sinuses, including complex conditions. We create comprehensive patient care plans including diagnostic imaging, allergy and asthma testing, and both in-office and advanced surgical care.
Some complex conditions require additional expertise and skill, so our team works closely with the allergy and immunology specialists in the Asthma, Sinus, and Allergy Program (ASAP). We also work with neurologists, neurosurgeons, ophthalmologists, and physicians who specialize in pituitary disorders, sleep surgery, and skull base tumors.
Our specialists treat many nose and sinus problems medically. However, certain conditions can require surgery as part of the treatment plan. Our goal is to use minimally invasive procedures whenever possible, which gives patients shorter recovery times and fewer complications. Our team is often able to perform same-day minor surgical procedures in the office.
We also work closely with the following related programs and services: