SIU Medicine Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery

03/17/2026

Our Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery team can perform select procedures right in the office, offering convenient, efficient care without the need for the operating room.

Here, Dr. Matthew Johnson and resident Dr. Divya Melachuri remove an unwanted cyst from a patient’s neck. No hospital stay. No general anesthesia. Just expert care delivered safely and comfortably from start to finish.

03/12/2026

Residents gained valuable hands-on experience during a hypoglossal nerve stimulator lab led by Dr. Cindy Moore and Dr. Mitch Heuermann. This innovative surgery can offer life-changing relief for people with obstructive sleep apnea who can’t tolerate a CPAP machine.

03/08/2026

The path to becoming a surgeon is demanding. It requires long hours, relentless focus and unwavering commitment. For women in this field, the journey has also meant navigating challenges unique to a historically male-dominated field.

Today, we celebrate the women of Otolaryngology at SIU Medicine. As skilled surgeons, educators and mentors, they are improving lives and expanding what leadership in medicine looks like for the next generation.

03/06/2026

Today, we recognize the team behind every patient visit.

Our clinic runs smoothly because of the dedicated individuals who work every day to coordinate referrals, schedule appointments, welcome patients, answer questions, take vitals, process insurance and manage the countless details that make each visit possible. It takes an entire team working together to care for just one patient.

On National Employee Appreciation Day, we thank the outstanding professionals who keep our clinic moving forward and make it possible for us to serve patients in Springfield and across the surrounding communities.

Thank you all. We are so grateful for all you do.

03/05/2026

One of the most rewarding parts of our program is seeing residents grow into confident, capable surgeons. Our hands-on training allows them to perform procedures under close supervision, building both skill and trust in the OR.

Here, Chief Resident Dr. Ryan Bowman and faculty, Dr. Zaid Al-Zaghal operate on a patient’s ear. A perfect example of the real-world experience that shapes their training.

03/03/2026

Today on World Hearing Day, we celebrate the breakthroughs in medicine and technology that help restore connection through hearing. Hearing loss can leave people feeling isolated—but with expert care, we help patients reconnect to the world around them. Thank you to our dedicated otologists and audiologists for their compassionate work in improving lives, one sound at a time.

03/02/2026

Starting tomorrow, SIU Medicine’s Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic in Lincoln will offer a new walk-in clinic for patients who need timely specialty care.

No appointment is needed.

View the full list of conditions treated at the walk-in clinic here: [https://loom.ly/AObKQfw]

02/27/2026

Today, on Thank a Resident Day, we celebrate our residents and the dedication they bring to patient care every single day.

Thank you for your commitment to learning, to serving and to delivering exceptional care to the people of central and southern Illinois. Your compassion, resilience and drive to grow make a difference for our patients, our teams and our communities.

We are proud to be part of your journey and look forward to all you will accomplish, both here and in the years ahead.

We may be a little biased, but we truly believe we have the best residents around.

02/26/2026

Hearing health is foundational to a child’s development. Our care is thoughtfully coordinated from the first consultation through postoperative recovery, ensuring patients are supported every step of the way.

02/25/2026

Today is International Cochlear Implant Day, a time to recognize the life-changing impact of cochlear implants for individuals with severe to profound hearing loss.

A cochlear implant is an electronic medical device that can restore a sense of sound by bypassing damaged parts of the inner ear and directly stimulating the auditory nerve. Unlike hearing aids, cochlear implants do more than amplify sound, they help the brain receive sound signals in a new way.

At SIU Medicine, our neurotologists work closely with our audiology team to determine whether patients qualify and to guide them through every step of care. Improving quality of life is always our highest priority.

02/24/2026

SIU Medicine Day of Giving is one day away! This is an opportunity to support the people and programs advancing medicine and health care across our communities.

To make a gift to the Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at SIU, use the link below.
Under ‘Select a Designation’ in the School of Medicine dropdown, select ‘Dept. of Otolaryngology'.

Click here for more details: https://loom.ly/wud80PY

02/20/2026

Dr. Dana Crosby, our Department Chair, was featured on a podcast from the American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery Foundation, discussing the impact of GLP-1R agonists in post-sinus-surgery management.

Want to learn more?

Click here to listen to the podcast: https://loom.ly/32UWazc

Editor-in-Chief Cecelia E. Schmalbach, MD, MSc, is joined by senior author Mohamad R. Chaaban, MD, and Associate Editor Dana L. Crosby, MD, to discuss the growing evidence that suggests there may be a meaningful connection between chronic rhinosinusitis and obesity as outlined in the paper "Ass...