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Head and Neck Tumor Center

Head and Neck Cancer Multidisciplinary Team

Meet Our Specialists

Our specialists offer a wide array of medical expertise as part of your care team.


Head and Neck Tumor Surgery

Our tumor surgeons are experts in the removal of benign and cancerous tumors in the head and neck. Learn more about each surgeon, including their innovative research and areas of expertise: 

  • Maie St. John, MD PhD

    • Director, Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery

    Expertise: Skull Base Surgery, Head and Neck Surgical Oncology, Head and Neck Surgery, Otolaryngology

  • David W. Eisele, MD

    Expertise: Head and Neck Surgical Oncology, Head and Neck Surgery, Otolaryngology

  • Carole Fakhry, MD MPH

    • Senior Associate Dean, Clinical Affairs

    Expertise: Head and Neck Surgery, Head and Neck Surgical Oncology, Otolaryngology

  • Christine Gourin, MD MPH

    Expertise: Endocrine Surgery, Head and Neck Surgery, Head and Neck Surgical Oncology, Otolaryngology, Palliative Medicine

  • Wayne Koch, MD

    Expertise: Endocrine Surgery, Head and Neck Surgical Oncology, Head and Neck Surgery, Otolaryngology

  • Nyall R. London, MD PhD

    Expertise: Head and Neck Surgical Oncology, Skull Base Surgery, Rhinology, Sinus, and Skull Base Surgery, Rhinology and Sinus Surgery, Otolaryngology

  • Leila J. Mady, MD PhD MPH

    Expertise: Endocrine Surgery, Head and Neck Surgical Oncology, Head and Neck Surgery, Otolaryngology

  • Wojtek Mydlarz, MD

    • Director, Head and Neck Surgery - National Capitol Region

    Expertise: Skull Base Surgery, Endocrine Surgery, Head and Neck Surgical Oncology, Head and Neck Surgery, Otolaryngology

Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery

Head and neck endocrine surgeons specialize in the removal of tumors on the thyroid and parathyroid including their research and surgical approaches. Learn more about each surgeon, including their research and surgical offerings:

Voice and Early Voice Box Neoplasms

Laryngologists specialize in the endoscopic removal of laryngeal tumors — they have a specific interest in voice. Learn more about our voice specialists:

  • Lee M. Akst, MD

    • Director of the Johns Hopkins Voice Center

    Expertise: Gender Affirming Care, Laryngology, Otolaryngology

  • Simon R. Best, MD

    • Director, Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center

    Expertise: Gender Affirming Care, Laryngology, Otolaryngology

  • Alexander Hillel, MD

    • Vice Director of Education, Johns Hopkins Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery

    Expertise: Laryngology, Otolaryngology

Neuro-otology, Lateral Skull Base

Head and neck tumors often requires the expertise of otologists and lateral skull base surgeons, some of whom participate in the head and neck tumor center. 

Face and Neck Reconstructive Surgery

Once the head and neck tumors have been addressed, you may require reconstructive surgery. Our facial plastic and reconstructive surgeons are highly specialized in the appearance and function of the head and neck, face and throat. Learn more about our reconstructive surgeons and their innovative techniques to restore function after surgery to remove the tumors: 

Anterior Skull Base and Surgery

Rhinologists and skull base surgeons are experts in tumors of the nose and sinuses as well as approaching tumors of the skull base through the nose. They work closely with neurosurgeons who are also part of the Head and Neck Tumor Center. When head and neck tumors affects these areas, you may benefit from their care. Learn more about our team: 

  • Gary L. Gallia, MD PhD

    • Surgical Director of the Pituitary Center

    Expertise: Neuro-Oncology, Skull Base Surgery, Brain and Tumor Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery

  • Masaru Ishii, MD PhD

    Expertise: Otology, Neurotology, Otolaryngology

  • Nyall R. London, MD PhD

    Expertise: Head and Neck Surgical Oncology, Skull Base Surgery, Rhinology, Sinus, and Skull Base Surgery, Rhinology and Sinus Surgery, Otolaryngology

  • Raj Mukherjee, MD MPH

    • Director of Neurosurgical Oncology, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center

    Expertise: Skull Base Surgery, Brain and Tumor Neurosurgery, Neuro-Oncology, Neurosurgery

  • Murugappan Ramanathan, MD

    • Vice Director of Clinical Operations

    Expertise: Skull Base Surgery, Rhinology, Sinus, and Skull Base Surgery, Rhinology and Sinus Surgery, Otolaryngology

  • Nicholas R. Rowan, MD

    • Clinic Director, Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins Health Care & Surgery Center – Green Spring Station

    Expertise: Skull Base Surgery, Rhinology, Sinus, and Skull Base Surgery, Rhinology and Sinus Surgery, Otolaryngology

  • Maie St. John, MD PhD

    • Director, Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery

    Expertise: Skull Base Surgery, Head and Neck Surgical Oncology, Head and Neck Surgery, Otolaryngology

Radiation Oncology

Radiation oncologists work closely with surgeons to determine which patients need radiation therapy. They treat tumors with radiation and share in the surveillance of these patients.

Medical Oncology

Treatment that requires chemotherapy is coordinated by a medical oncologists. Our medical oncologists work collaboratively with your surgeon to deliver exemplary care. Learn more:

Swallowing Specialists

Our swallowing specialists are experts in treating head and neck tumor patients with swallowing disorders. Learn more about our team:

James H. Clark, MBBChBAO

  • Co-Director, Johns Hopkins Dysphagia and Deglutition Clinic

Expertise: Otolaryngology

Head and Neck Oncologic, Endocrine, Reconstructive Nursing, and Advanced Practitioners

Our nurses understand the complexity and care needed during head and neck tumor treatment to ensure you are receiving superb care on all levels.

  • Jackie Cassidy, R.N.

  • Clarissa Ejanda, R.N. 

  • Brooke Ramsel, R.N.

  • Aly Stolba, R.N. 

  • Laurie Turner, R.N., M.S.N., C.O.R.L.N.

Jaw, Mouth, Teeth Reconstruction and Dentistry

Head and neck tumor care may affect the teeth and surrounding structures. Our dentists and maxillofacial surgeons work closely with your care team to make sure your dental health is managed throughout your care journey. Learn more about dental team:

  • Alexander Daniel, DDS

    • Director, General Practice Residency Program

    Expertise: Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Dentistry

  • Juan R. Garcia, MA

    • Director, Facial Prosthetics Clinic, Department of Art as Applied to Medicine

  • Robin Yang, MD DDS

    • Director of Pediatric Plastic Surgery

    Expertise: Dentistry, Pediatric Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Pediatric Craniofacial Plastic Surgery

Neuroradiology

Our neuroradiologists are physicians specialized in interpreting diagnostic imaging of head and neck tumors, including CT, MRI, PET, and ultrasound. Some also perform deep neck and transfacial image-guided biopsies. Learn more about our radiologists:

Endocrinology

Head and neck tumors may require support from an endocrinologist. Learn more about our team:

Speech Language Pathology

Our speech language pathologists work in conjunction with your care team to evaluate and treat speech disorders. Learn more about our team:

  • Rina Abrams, MS

    • Speech Language Pathologist

    Expertise: Speech-Language Pathology

  • Kristine M. Pietsch, MA

    • Speech Language Pathologist

    Expertise: Gender Affirming Care, Speech-Language Pathology, Otolaryngology

Pathology

Our pathologists interpret biopsies and surgical tissue to diagnose and stage head and neck tumors. Providing diagnostic testing to identify and categorize your specific tumor and care needs.

Lisa Rooper, MD

  • Director of Surgical Pathology, The Johns Hopkins Hospital
  • Associate Professor of Pathology

Palliative and Supportive Care

The Head and Neck tumor Supportive Care Clinic provides additional support for Johns Hopkins patients with head and neck tumors. Our palliative medicine specialists provide dedicated support to patients treated by the Johns Hopkins Head and Neck Cancer team through a focus on pain management, symptom relief, and improved quality of life.

Christine Gourin, MD MPH

Expertise: Endocrine Surgery, Head and Neck Surgery, Head and Neck Surgical Oncology, Otolaryngology, Palliative Medicine