Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/51232
SPECIAL FEATURE "We have medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, surgeons and others who specialize in treating many forms of head and neck cancer, including cancer of the tongue, mouth, tonsils, larynx, nose and sinuses, carotid and thyroid. The team also works closely with UH neurosurgeons," says Dr. Lavertu. "By working together under the same roof at the same time, within 20 feet of each other, we're able to minimize the number of trips patients must make to the hospital, reducing their stress and financial expenses. Plus, this arrangement facilitates communication among specialists, which is always to the benefit of the patient." Maintaining quality of life for patients is very important, as well, he says. "All physicians in each of the Centers of Excellence in the UH ENT Institute work together to optimize all of the Institute's services, so that patients may retain as much function as possible. In essence, our multi-disciplinary team approach is state-of-the-art in and of itself." The Pediatric Ear, Nose and Throat Center, directed by Dr. James Arnold leverages the assets of UH Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital. Here, pediatric specialists offer comprehen- sive care to patients with hearing loss, chronic ear infections, sleep disorders, head and neck cancer, and swallowing and voice disorders. "Everything is done in conjunction with pediatric specialists in other fields, such as neurology, plastic surgery and speech therapy," says Dr. Arnold who is a pediatric otolaryngologist and department chair of Otolaryngology at UHCMC. "Everyone on the institute's team brings specialty training and experience to the table. Moreover, all are committed to the multi-disciplinary approach, particularly with complex cases. Bottom line is we have the right people with the right training and the right attitude — they are all great with kids. This goes beyond just being a good provider of medical care." For children with craniofacial issues, Dr. Arnold provides evaluations in the UH ENT Institute's Laryngology and Voice Disorders Center where pediatric-sized technology is available for a variety of evaluations. "In this center, we can check a child's palate, swallowing, breathing symptoms and speech production – including pattern, voice quality and fluency," he says. Led by Dr. Nicole Maronian, the Laryngology and Voice Disorders Center also focuses on patients — adult, as well as pediatric — with swallowing problems, vocal cord paresis and paralysis, spasmodic dysphonia, dysphagia, laryngeal carcinoma, Zenkers diverticulum, crico- pharyngeal spasm, vocal cord lesions and tracheal narrowing. Dr. James Arnold, UH chair of Otolaryngology is shown here with Nicole Russell, MD, CCC-SLP, in the UH Laryngology and Voice Disorders Center which focuses on adult, as well as pediatric, patients.