News & Events

Joshua J. Kain, MD co-authors new paper
October, 2021


Head and neck free-flap salvage was published in Current Opinion in Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery.


Department Chair Co-Principal Investigator on Recently Finished Clinical Trial
September 17, 2021


Mas Takashima, MD, FACS, Chair of the Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery was a co-principal investigator on a clinical trial focused on the effects of radiofrequency neurolysis on chronic rhinitis. The research paper that was recently published in OTO Open Read can be viewed here.


Procter Receives Distinguished Early Career Award
September, 2021


Congratulations to Teresa Procter, CCC-SLP, who was awarded the 2021 Distinguished Early Career Professional (ECP) Certificate from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. This award recognizes speech-language pathologists (SLP) and audiologists who demonstrate impactful difference in volunteerism, leadership, and advocacy within their first five years of practice or under the age of 30. Of the recipients, Procter is one of two voice-specialized SLPs and is among the youngest ECPs.


Better Hearing and Speech Month
May 4, 2021


May is Better Hearing and Speech Month (BHSM) - an opportunity to increase awareness, provide education, and promote speech pathology and audiology services for community wellness.


This past Saturday, May 1, 2021, Texas Voice Center’s SLPs Maurice Goodwin and Teresa Procter were invited guests for the Houston Association of Communication Disorders (HACD), a membership-based greater Houston area organization for speech language pathologists. As part of HACD’s spring medical course, Maurice and Teresa created and presented a six-hour, American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA) credited program on the multilayered voice, upper airway, and chronic cough patient from 8AM to 3:30PM. Presentation topics included neurolaryngeal voice, irritable laryngeal syndrome, and aging voice, followed by a guest lecture on gender diversity and cultural considerations by Jess MacKimm, CCC-SLP from Washington University of St. Louis. The conference closed with a panel of current and former Houston Methodist Hospital SLPs that are currently practicing on the Covid-19 timeline, moderated by Teresa and Maurice.


The TVC SLPs will present a portion of this workshop, the neurolaryngeal voice, on June 5, 2021, as invited guest speakers for the Louisiana State Speech Hearing and Language Association.

Stay tuned later this month for important guidelines, considerations, and reminders for sustained and efficient communication in the domains of speech and hearing. Happy Better Hearing and Speech Month (BHSM), all!

 

New Years Updates
January 14, 2021


Congratulations Mas Takashima, MD, FACS for being selected to present about nasal obstruction in the era COVID-19 on a live discussion panel with other international experts for the American Rhinologic Society on January 14th, 2021.

Congratulations Mas Takashima, MD, FACS for being elected to become a senior American Board of Otolaryngology Board Examiner. He is part of a select few senior board examiners that helps test and determine who qualifies to be a board certified Otolaryngolgist.

Congratulations Joshua Kain, MD for joining Houston Methodist ENT specialists as a head and neck oncologic ablative and reconstructive surgeon. Dr. Joshua Kain comes to us after completing his residency at the University of Alabama and is currently finishing his head and neck oncologic surgery fellowship at the University California Davis.

Congratulations Omar Ahmed, MD for leading the inaugural endoscopic sinus and skull base resident dissection course for Houston Methodist which was held on January 9th, 2021. He and Dr. Mas Takashima helped teach residents surgical techniques in endoscopic sinus and skull base surgery.

Fall Voice Conference Inaugural Talent Show Winners
October 24, 2020

 

The Houston Methodist Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery faculty members Apurva Thekdi, MD, Yin Yiu, MD, and speech and language pathologists Maurice Goodwin, CCC-SLP and Teresa Procter, CCC-SLP won the prestigious Fall Voice Conference Inaugural Talent show! The Fall Voice annual meeting is a collaborative environment for laryngologists and speech and language pathologists to learn about and discuss the latest cutting-edge research and clinical endeavors in the field. This year, because of the pandemic, the conference was held virtually. To encourage active participation through this virtual platform, the talent show segment was created to close out the conference. Over 30 teams entered internationally and the Houston Methodist- Texas Voice Center team won by a significant margin! They showcased their amazing talents in singing, piano, videography, and creativity by creating a music video with a spin on the song “A Whole New World” (laryngology world) that took spectators on a journey through the past 5 years of the Fall Voice Conference. We are so proud of  Apurva Thekdi MD, Yin Yiu MD, Maurice Goodwin, and Teresa Procter.

 

American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS) Appointment
October 18, 2020

 

Houston Methodist Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery clinical faculty member, Anthony E. Brissett, MD, FACS, elected to prestigious national position with the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS).

 

The AAFPRS conducted its Annual Business Meeting on Saturday, October 17, 2020. Election results confirmed that Anthony E. Brissett MD will serve as AAFPRS Group Vice President for Research, Awards, and Development – elect. This important position will place Dr. Brissett in a significant national leadership role for the current and future direction of the AAFPRS. Please join me in congratulating Anthony E. Brissett MD on his election victory. The Academy is fortunate to have someone of his caliber, character and thoughtfulness in this role of Group Vice President. Congratulations and best wishes!

 

Currently, Anthony E. Brissett MD also serves as Departmental Vice Chair and Division Chief-Division of Facial Plastics and Reconstructive Surgery for Houston Methodist Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.

 

COVID Journal Club
April 9th, 2020





The focus of this journal club will be on COVID + tracheostomies. At Houston Methodist Hospital, we are getting inquiries about doing trachs on the MICU COVID + patients who have recovered from their pneumonia but can’t get weaned from the vent. Many question have arisen, such as:

  • What precautions do we need to take in the COVID positive patient?
  • What about the timing?
  • Is percutaneous safer than open during the COVID crisis?
  • Can we wait 3-4 weeks?
  • What are the complications?
  • What are the predictors of posterior glottic stenosis?
We will give an update as to our preparations of taking care of these patients, summarize pertinent articles related to this subject and have an open forum discussion.