Otolaryngology

Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery improves the health of people afflicted with diseases of the head and neck region through teamwork designed to provide optimal patient care, make new discoveries and educate the next generation of healers.

Welcome

Our physicians offer expert clinical care covering all aspects of the ear, nose and throat. Most of the faculty have completed extra training as sub-specialists, which enables us to provide comprehensive programs in hearing and balance disorders, voice and upper airway disorders, head and neck surgery, and reconstructive surgery. 

We are also home to a world-class research team. SIU investigators have made significant strides in auditory and vestibular anatomy, pharmacology, the physiology of taste and smell, head and neck surgery clinical trials and laryngology. As an academic community, our ENT faculty share their full-time practices to educate our residents and learners. This unique interaction allows us to offer one of the best hands-on training experiences in the country.

Boy with cochlear implant

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Diana Crosby stands in medical wing
Providing the highest quality, cutting edge medical and surgical Otolaryngology care to the communities we serve

Message from the Chair

Our innovative curriculum design allows our residents to graduate from our program as well-rounded physicians and surgeons who are ready to hit the ground running. We utilize a unique mentorship model, in which residents are typically paired with a surgeon one-on-one for extended periods of time, allows for more rapid acquisition of surgical skill with early mastery. 

It is our goal to train and enable the future leaders of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. One of the most fulfilling parts of my job is to be able to witness the careers of our graduates unfold.

Read Dr. Dana Crosby's full message

Our faculty

Learn more about

Ear, nose and throat

Sandra Ettema, MD, is a head and neck surgeon who focuses on vocal chord surgery to help patients swallow and speak better. She recently did an interview with a local tv station to talk about otolaryngology at SIU Medicine. Learn more with this interview.

Latest articles

Dana Crosby

Crosby appointed Chair of Otolaryngology at SIU Medicine

SPRINGFIELD, IL – Dana Crosby, MD, MPH, has been named chair of the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine. She is also the director of
Dr. Ettema

Doctor finds care close to home

At the May 2021 SIU commencement, Dr. Rik Constance was noticeably hoarse. As Associate Dean of Students and Admissions, he dutifully read the names of each of the 70 graduates. He also gave a short speech after receiving the belated Distinguished Alumni Award for 2020.
3D Print

The Imagineering Lab

In 2016, orthopedic surgery resident David Tapscott, MD, approached library instructor Karli White with an unusual request. He asked if the library’s 3D printer could adequately render a model of a

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