The 33rd Annual Chandler Research Forum
Summary
- The Miller School of Medicine’s Annual Chandler Research Forum honors James Ryan Chandler, Jr., M.D., who joined the University of Miami in 1957 to start the Division of Otolaryngology and establish its residency program.
- The forum invited Miller School otolaryngology residents and fellows to present evidence-based research.
- Forum abstract presentations included a pilot study that evaluated natural language processing models to expedite speech assessment outcomes, demographic factors and outcomes in facial palsy patients treated with Botox and the impact of sociodemographic factors on early-glottic cancer treatment outcomes.
To culminate the 2024-25 academic year at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, otolaryngology residents and fellows gathered at the Lois Pope Life Center for a full day of thought-provoking presentations at the Annual Chandler Research Forum.
Sessions focused on an array of ENT subspecialties, including otology, rhinology, head and neck surgery, facial plastics and laryngology.
The day honors James Ryan Chandler, Jr., M.D., who joined the University of Miami in 1957 to start the Division of Otolaryngology and establish its residency program. Dr. Chandler was later appointed the first chair of the Department of Otolaryngology. His many years of leadership as a mentor, teacher, consultant and researcher inspired his colleagues, patients and students to create the Chandler Society and the Miller School’s Endowed Chandler Chair.
An Emphasis on Evidence-Based Medicine
Among Dr. Chandler’s credos was, “There must be a reason and thought for every action. There is no routine.” In that spirit, the Annual Chandler Research Forum invites presenters to advance the practice of evidence-based medicine.
This year’s forum featured visiting professor Theresa Hadlock, M.D., founder and director of the Hadlock Center for Facial Plastic Surgery and professor of otolaryngology at Harvard Medical School, as Distinguished Guest Lecturer. Dr. Hadlock discussed facial paralysis treatments while stressing the value of objective examination of surgical successes and failures in clinical teaching.
“I was lucky enough to have mentors who understood the importance of sharing and perpetuating their knowledge, so I try to do the same for anyone who comes to observe or train with me,” said Dr. Hadlock.
Soham Roy, M.D., professor and vice chair of the University of Colorado School of Medicine’s Department of Otolaryngology, presided over forum presentations as Distinguished Alumni Judge. A nationally recognized operating room safety expert, Dr. Roy complemented his talk on O.R. fire prevention with video footage of simulated mishaps and key safety lessons.
“Operating room fires are most common during face, head and neck procedures because you have an ignition source, oxidizer and fuel in close proximity,” said Dr. Roy. “The good news is most, if not all, operating room fires are entirely preventable through awareness, the right tools and some simple, preventative measures.”
Ayham Alkhachroum, M.D., associate professor of neurology at the Miller School, presided over the forum as the Distinguished University of Miami Judge. He gave a grand rounds presentation on covert consciousness and improving patient outcomes in acute brain injury.
During the otology and rhinology sessions that kicked off the forum, researchers shared their findings on the effect of hypoxia in vestibular schwannoma, equitable speech testing for Spanish-speaking patients with hearing loss and transcutaneous auricular nerve stimulation to modulate blood pressure.
Miller School neurotology fellow Leena Asfour, M.D., identified hearing in cluttered auditory environments and improved overall hearing as the goals motivating patients with single-sided deafness to pursue treatment options. Resident Betzamel Lopez, M.D., discussed compliance with postoperative radiation therapy guidelines at Jackson Memorial Hospital, reporting therapy delays negatively impacted survival outcomes.
Additional abstract presentations included:
• The results of a pilot study that evaluated the efficacy of natural language processing models to expedite speech assessment outcomes
• The association between demographic factors and outcomes in facial palsy patients treated with Botox
• The impact of sociodemographic factors on early-glottic cancer treatment outcomes
• Variations in the levels of HPV and DNA in surgical smoke across different treatments
• Confirmation that creating a post-operative tonsillectomy bleed classification system enabled ENT surgeons to provide more effective counseling.
Residents and fellows reconvened in the evening for an awards dinner recognizing the best research from the day’s abstract and poster presentations.
Residents Awards
• First place: Michelle Pei, M.D.
• Second place: Maria Lugo-Fagundo
• Third place: Betzamel Lopez, M.D., and Carly Misztal, M.D.
Fellows Awards
• First place: Wesley Stepp, M.D., Ph.D.
• Second place: Peter Kahng, M.D.
• Third place: Aparna Govindan, M.D.
Best Student Poster
“Evaluating Advanced AI Reasoning Models: ChatGPT-4.0 and DeepSeek-R1 Diagnostic Performance in Otolaryngology – A Comparative Analysis” by authors Soumil Prasad, Jake Langlie, M.D., Luke Pasick M.D. Ryan Chen and Elizabeth Franzmann, M.D.
Tags: Department of Otolaryngology, otolaryngology, student research