Guest Faculty

Yong Ju Jang, M.D., Ph.D is Chief Professor and Department Chair at the department of Otolaryngology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Korea (South). Dr Jang got multiple awards including JACQUES JOSEPH Medal and from EAFPS and the Efrain Davalos Award from AAFPRS. He is serving as editorial board member of 1) Facial plastic Surgery and Aesthetic Medicine, 2) Facial Plastic Surgery, 3)Auris Nasus Larynx. Dr Jang was the Past president of Korean Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and serving as the current President of Pan-Asian Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. He published 2 rhinoplasty textbook and contributed book chapter at more than 8 internationally acclaimed facial plastic surgery textbooks. Dr Jang published over 74 papers on rhinoplasty in peer reviewed international Journals.

Dr. Wax is currently a professor of otolaryngology and oral maxillofacial surgery.  He has been program director for more than 2 decades and run a microvascular fellowship for the same timeframe.  He was in comprehensive otolaryngology for 5-1/2 years before returning to a fellowship.  He trained in Canada but did a year of surgery in the United States.  He trained in the area without duty hours or many of the rules and regulations that currently exist.  Often times call was 1 in two  from home, or 1 in 4 in-house.  There was no epic or computerized medical record.

Dr. Theda C. Kontis is a dual board-certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon, certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ABFPRS) and the American Board of Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery (ABOHNS). She earned her Bachelor of Science from Duke University and her Doctor of Medicine from Wake Forest University School of Medicine, where she was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. Dr. Kontis completed her General Surgery internship, Otolaryngology residency, and Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery fellowship at The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions. Currently serving as President of the ABFPRS and a past president of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS), Dr. Kontis is a respected leader in the field. An Associate Professor at Johns Hopkins, she is dedicated to resident and fellow education. A prolific author, she wrote Cosmetic Injection Techniques, a widely acclaimed textbook now in its second edition.

Dr. Merati is an internationally recognized leader in Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery. Following medical school at UW and Otolaryngology training at UCSD, Dr. Merati went to Vanderbilt to study Laryngology. Following productive years at KU and MCW, Dr. Merati returned to his native Seattle in 2007 to head up the Laryngology program. He has over 140 peer-reviewed publications and edited the Textbook of Laryngology. Dr. Merati has served as Senior Examiner for the ABOHNS and VP of the Triological. Dr. Merati has earned two Distinguished Service awards from the AAOHNS and is Past-President of the AAO-HNS as well as of the ABEA. Dr. Merati is now the Associate Medical Director for Perioperative Quality and Safety for the UW Medical Centers. In 2023 Dr Merati was selected to join the AAOHNS Hall of Distinction as a “Living Legend” for his contributions to the field of Otolaryngology – HNS in general.

Dr. David B. Keschner, MD, is a renowned otolaryngologist specializing in rhinology, with over two decades of experience treating sinus and nasal disorders. He earned his medical degree from the University of California, Irvine, School of Medicine, and completed his undergraduate studies at Washington University in St. Louis. Currently, he serves as Director of Surgical Services and Associate Medical Director for Kaiser Permanente Orange County, where he oversees surgical operations and leads the Rhinology National and Southern California groups. Balancing clinical practice and administrative leadership, Dr. Keschner performs surgeries and consults with patients weekly. An advocate for innovation and teamwork, he also negotiates nationwide surgical equipment contracts. Outside of medicine, he is a martial artist with black belts in multiple disciplines, embodying his belief in holistic balance.

Dr. Vijay R. Ramakrishnan is a Professor of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery and Director of Rhinology Research at Indiana University School of Medicine. He earned his medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine, completed his Otolaryngology residency at the University of Colorado, and pursued a Rhinology fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania. After over a decade at the University of Colorado, where he co-directed the Skull Base Program, Dr. Ramakrishnan joined Indiana University in January 2022. His research focuses on upper airway inflammation, particularly the sinus microbiome’s role in chronic rhinosinusitis.  He leads a multi-institutional NIH-funded project developing AI-driven models to predict surgical outcomes for chronic rhinosinusitis patients. Dr. Ramakrishnan is also an Affiliate Scientist in Health Services Research at the Regenstrief Institute and a member of the Stark Neurosciences Research Institute.

Dr. Cameron McIntosh is a renowned otolaryngologist and facial plastic surgeon based in South Africa. He specializes in rhinology, with a particular focus on advanced techniques in sinus surgery and nasal reconstruction. Dr. McIntosh is a Fellow of the College of Otorhinolaryngology of South Africa and completed additional training in facial plastic surgery at globally respected institutions. He has a keen interest in teaching and has conducted numerous workshops and lectures, sharing his expertise in minimally invasive rhinologic procedures and preservation rhinoplasty. Dr. McIntosh is also actively involved in clinical research, advancing the field through innovative approaches in nasal and sinus care. With a commitment to enhancing patient outcomes, he remains a leader in integrating modern technology and evidence-based practices into otolaryngology and facial plastic surgery.

Dr. Umang Mehta is a double board-certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon based in Menlo Park, California. He specializes in rhinoplasty, which constitutes approximately 95% of his practice at Mehta Plastic Surgery. Dr. Mehta completed his medical education at the University of California, San Francisco, followed by a residency in Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery at Stanford University. He further honed his expertise with a fellowship in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Known for his meticulous approach and dedication to patient satisfaction, Dr. Mehta has garnered numerous positive reviews from patients who praise his ability to enhance both aesthetic appearance and functional breathing through rhinoplasty.  His practice is recognized for delivering natural-looking results tailored to each individual’s unique facial features. Dr. Mehta’s commitment to excellence has established him as a leading specialist in the field of facial plastic surgery in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Glenn J. Hanna, MD, is an Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and a leading physician at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI). He serves as the Director of the Center for Cancer Therapeutic Innovation (CCTI), specializing in early-phase drug development, and the Director of the Center for Salivary and Rare Head and Neck Cancers. Dr. Hanna completed his medical degree summa cum laude at Georgetown University School of Medicine, where he was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society and received the Kober Medal for academic excellence. He completed his residency in internal medicine at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and his fellowship in hematology and oncology at Dana-Farber/Partners CancerCare. His research focuses on precision medicine and biomarker discovery for head and neck cancers, with special expertise in salivary gland malignancies.

Dr. Rohit Garg, MD, is a board-certified rhinology and endoscopic skull base surgeon with expertise in the medical and surgical management of nasal and sinus diseases. A Southern California native, Dr. Garg earned his medical degree from USC’s Keck School of Medicine, where he also completed an MBA at the Marshall School of Business. He trained in Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery at UC Irvine, followed by a specialized fellowship in rhinology and skull base surgery at Kaiser Permanente, where he now serves as co-director of the fellowship program. His practice focuses on advanced procedures, including CSF leak repair, skull base reconstruction, endoscopic sinus surgery, and collaboration with neurosurgeons and ophthalmologists for complex cases.

Dr. Frederick Yoo, MD, is a board-certified specialist in rhinology and endoscopic skull base surgery. Raised in the Philadelphia area and Denver, he completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Pennsylvania and earned his medical degree from Penn State University College of Medicine. Dr. Yoo trained in Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery at UCLA Ronald Reagan Medical Center, followed by a fellowship in rhinology and skull base surgery at the Medical University of South Carolina. His practice focuses on advanced care for conditions such as chronic rhinitis, sinusitis, fungal sinusitis, CSF leaks, and sinonasal tumors, emphasizing evidence-based treatments and training future otolaryngologists.

Dr. Alan Workman is a fellowship-trained rhinologist specializing in advanced sinus surgery and endoscopic management of sinus tumors, cerebrospinal fluid leaks, and skull base pathology. He earned his undergraduate degree from Cornell University and his medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania. After completing his otolaryngology residency at Mass Eye and Ear/Harvard Medical School, he pursued a rhinology fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania before joining the faculty at Mass Eye and Ear. Dr. Workman has authored over 100 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, with research interests in the pathophysiology of chronic sinusitis, focusing on precision medicine for severe or refractory cases, and clinical surveillance of sinonasal malignancies. His work emphasizes data-driven protocols to enhance outcomes in both sinusitis and skull base tumor management.

Dr. Quoc-Anh Ho, MD, is a board-certified radiation oncologist at UCI Health, specializing in comprehensive cancer care. A native of Vietnam and longtime resident of Northern California, Dr. Ho earned his Bachelor of Science in Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior at UC Davis, where he also completed his medical degree. During medical school, he contributed to free clinics and engaged in cancer research, fostering his commitment to oncology. He completed his internship in internal medicine at UCSF-Fresno with a distinction in research, followed by a residency in radiation oncology at the University of Arizona College of Medicine. Fluent in Vietnamese, Dr. Ho practices at the UCI Health Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center in Fountain Valley and Orange.

Dr. Katelyn O. Stepan is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery. She graduated summa cum laude and phi beta kappa from Rice University, where she played Division One soccer. She then completed her medical degree at Washington University in St. Louis, graduating Alpha Omega Alpha. She went on to complete her residency in Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. She then completed a fellowship in head and neck surgical oncology and microvascular reconstruction at Washington University in St. Louis. Her clinical and research interests focus on the multidisciplinary approach to head and neck cancer, transoral robotic surgery, microvascular reconstruction, and patient safety and quality improvement.

Dr. Michael H. Berger, MD, is a board-certified, fellowship-trained Head and Neck Oncologic and Reconstructive Surgeon at Mount Sinai West and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, where he also serves as Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology. A graduate of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Dr. Berger was inducted into Alpha Omega Alpha and the Gold Humanism Honor Society for his academic excellence and compassionate care. He completed his residency in Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery at the University of California, Irvine, where he twice received the prestigious Irving Rappaport Award for expertise in head and neck surgery. He advanced his training through a fellowship in Head and Neck Surgical Oncology and Microvascular Reconstruction at The Mount Sinai Hospital.

Dr. Miriam R. Smetak is a neurotology fellow at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. She earned dual bachelor’s degrees in Aerospace Engineering and Archaeology from the University of Southern California in 2010, followed by a Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Minnesota in 2017.Dr. Smetak completed her medical degree at the University of Minnesota Medical School in 2018 and an Otolaryngology residency at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in 2023. Clinical interests include cochlear implantation, medical device innovation, and image-guided surgery. Dr. Smetak has contributed to research on hearing recovery in patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss. She is recognized for her dedication to advancing otolaryngology and neurotology.

Chris is a 5th year resident-physician in the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at the Johns Hopkins Hospital. He obtained his MD from the American University of Beirut in Lebanon and spent two years prior to residency as a post-doctoral research fellow in the Pardoll lab studying determinants of response to immunotherapy in head and neck tumors. He is currently applying for fellowship in Head and Neck Oncologic and Reconstructive surgery and has academic and clinical interests in immunotherapy, immune oncology and advanced head and neck reconstruction. Outside of residency, Chris enjoys playing guitar, video games, cooking, travelling and hiking.

Keven Ji is a PGY5 at Oregon Health and Science University. He will be joining a private practice as a general otolaryngologist in Boise, Idaho after graduation. He enjoys grappling sports and running in his free time.

Sina is a PGY4 at UC Irvine. He is currently applying to facial plastic and reconstructive surgery fellowships and has a research interest in health economics. Since moving back to California for residency, he has picked up bouldering, and loves to hike whenever he has the time.

Derek is currently a PGY3 at UC Irvine. He grew up in New Jersey before studying bioengineering at UC Berkeley, where he found his passion for translational medicine. After spending two years researching gene therapies in the San Francisco Bay Area, he obtained his MD from the USC Keck School of Medicine. Outside of medicine, Derek spends his time enjoying all the music, coffee, and food that Southern California has to offer.

Chandler Bloomer, MD is a 5th year resident at Naval Medical Center San Diego. She is excited to start her career as a comprehensive otolaryngologist where the Navy sends her, but she is hoping to stay in sunny San Diego so she can continue to enjoy summer surfing, beach days, and runs through Torrey Pines. She grew up in Jacksonville, FL before studying at Georgetown University and the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences.