Recent Graduates
Class of 2022
Martha Luitje, M.D.
Martha Luitje is currently an Otolaryngologist at Bassett Healthcare Network in Cooperstown, NY.
Class of 2021
Paul Lambert, M.D.
Dr. Paul Lambert is currently a Physician in Otolaryngology at Aurora Medical Center, Summit, WI.
James P. Manning, M.D.
Dr. JP Manning is currently a Facial Plastics Fellow at Quatela Center for Plastic Surgery, Rochester, NY.
Daniel Martin, M.D.
Dr. Daniel Martin is practicing at Lakeshore Ear, Nose, & Throat Center, St. Clair Shores, MI, as a Comprehensive Otolaryngologist.
Class of 2020
Sarah Lookabaugh, M.D.
Dr. Sarah Lookabaugh has joined Rochester Regional Health/Newark-Wayne Hospital, Department Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery in 2020. She completed her residency training in June 2020 from the University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY. In 2013 she received her medical degree from Tulane University School of Medicine. She received her undergraduate degree in 2008 from Tulane University.
Stephanie Wong, M.D.
Stephanie Wong, MD has joined Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA as an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Otolaryngology in July 2021 after completing a Pediatric Otolaryngologist Fellowship at Rady Children’s Hospital/UC San Diego. She completed her residency training in June 2020 from the University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY. In 2015 she received her medical degree from Boston University School of Medicine. She received her undergraduate degree in 2012 from Boston University.
Class of 2019
Nadeem Kolia, M.D.
Nadeem Kolia, MD is currently a Rhinology/Skull Base Surgeon at Cooper University Hospital, Camden, NJ. This follows his completion of a Cranial Base & Rhinology Fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA. He completed his residency training in 2019 at the University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY. He received his medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in 2014. His undergraduate degree was completed in 2010 with a major in Biomedical Engineering and Electrical and Computer Engineering with a minor in Chemistry from Duke University, Durham, NC.
Isaac Schmale, M.D.
Isaac Schmale, MD joined our practice as an Assistant Professor with a Rhinology focus in September 2020 after completing a Rhinology Fellowship in 2020 at UT Houston, Houston, TX. He completed his residency training in 2019 from the University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY. In 2014 he received his medical degree from Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California. He received his undergraduate degree in 2008 from the University of California.
Weitao Wang , M.D.
Weitao Wang, MD joined our practice as an Assistant Professor with a Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery focus, following a fellowship in Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery at Texas Healthcare LLC, Fort Worth, TX. In 2019, he completed his residency at University of Rochester Medical Center. He received his medical degree from the University of Virginia School of Medicine in 2014 as well as an undergraduate degree in Chemistry in 2008 from the University of Virginia.
Class of 2018
Katherine Rieth, M.D.
(7/2012 thru 6/2018)
Katherine Rieth, MD joined our practice as an Assistant Professor with a general ENT focus in July 2018. She received her medical degree from the University of Hawaii, John A. Burns School of Medicine, Honolulu, HI in 2013. She received her graduate degree from the University of Hawaii in Medical Anthropology in 2008 as well as an undergraduate degree in Cultural Anthropology from the University of California, San Diego, CA in 2003.
Joseph B. Vella, MD, Ph.D.
(7/2012 thru 6/2018)
Following completion of a Facial Plastics and Reconstructive Surgery Fellowship at SUNY Upstate Medical Center in June 2019, Dr. Vella has joined Rutgers – Robert Wood Johnson University, New Brunswick, NJ as an ENT-Otolaryngologist with a specialty in facial plastic surgery. He received his MD/PhD degree University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA after completing his graduate degree in Material Sciences and Engineering from the Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD in 2000 and his undergraduate degree in Chemistry at Pomona College, Claremont, CA in 1996.
Class of 2017
Priya Kesarwani, MD
(7/2012 thru 6/2017)
Dr. Priya Kesarwani is current a Plastic/Cosmetic Surgeon at Cosmedical Rejuvenation Clinic, Toronto, Ontario, CANADA. Following completion of her residency in 2017, she joined Northwell Health, NYC, NY as a Clinical Fellow in Facial Plastics & Reconstructive Surgery from July 2017 thru June 2018. She received her medical degree from Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO in 2012 and her undergraduate degree from the University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, CANADA in Health Sciences & Psychology in 2007.
Clinical Fellow in Facial Plastics & Reconstructive Surgery for Northwell Health, NYC, NY
Mark Merkley, M.D., Ph.D.
(7/2011 thru 6/2017)
Mark Merkley, MD, PhD is a private practice otolaryngologist for Intermountain Healthcare System in Utah.
Class of 2016
Steven Rosenblatt, M.D.
(7/2011 thru 6/2016)
Dr. Rosenblatt is an Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology at New York Presbyterian Hospital - Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York, NY. He completed a pediatric ENT fellowship at Boston Children's Hospital/Harvard Medical School in June 2017. He completed his medical training at SUNY Downstate Medical Center College of Medicine, Brooklyn, NY after completing his undergraduate degree in Biology in 2006 at the University of Rochester, Rochester, NY.
Alexis Strohl, M.D.
(7/2011 thru 6/2016)
Following completion of a Facial Plastics and Reconstructive Surgery Fellowship at SUNY Upstate Medical Center in June 2017, Dr. Strohl has joined our practice. She received her medical degree from Georgetown University School of Medicine after completing her undergraduate degree in Chemistry and Chemical Biology at Cornell University, Ithaca, NY in 2007.
Class of 2015
G. Todd Schneider, M.D.
Following completion of a Laryngology Fellowship at Vanderbilt University, Dr. Schneider has joined our practice as a Laryngologist. He completed his medical training here at the University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry after completing his undergraduate degree in Biopsychology at Cornell University, Ithaca, NY.
Ryan D. Walker, M.D.
Dr. Walker is currently an Otolaryngologist with Advanced ENT an affiliate of Penn Medicine Ear, Nose and Throat Network, Philadelphia, PA. He completed a Pediatric Otolaryngology Fellowship at Boston Children's Hospital. He came to Rochester upon completing his undergraduate degree in Biology at Cornell University, Ithaca, NY and his medical training at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, PA.
Class of 2014
Benjamin Greene , M.D.
Dr. Greene is currently an Instructor/Fellow in Otolaryngology at the University of Alabama-Birmingham. He came to Rochester after completing his undergraduate degree in Biochemistry at SUNY College at Geneseo and completing medical school at SUNY Buffalo School of Medicine.
Brendan O'Brien , M.D.
After several years as a member of our department, Dr. O'Brien is now based at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, PA. Dr. O'Brien came to Rochester from SUNY Stony Brook School of Medicine after completing his undergraduate degree in Biochemistry at SUNY at Buffalo.
Class of 2013
Caitlin McLean, M.D.
Dr. McLean is currently completing a fellowship in rhinology and endoscopic sinus and skull base surgery at UTexas-Southwestern, Dallas, TX. She came to Rochester after completing undergraduate and medical school at Georgetown University.
Rachel Roditi, M.D.
Dr. Roditi is in academic practice in Boston, MA. Rachel attended medical school at UMass. She completed her undergraduate studies at Washington University in St. Louis.
Class of 2012
Annalisa Overstreet, M.D.
Dr. Overstreet is a general otolaryngologist in Annapolis, Maryland. She joined a group practice there after completing her training in Rochester. Annalisa earned her medical degree at Penn State University School of Medicine in Hershey, PA. She is a graduate of Gettysburg College.
Jonathan Walsh, M.D.
Dr. Jonathan Walsh is currently in practice as an Army captain in the US Army in Savannah, Georgia. Dr. Walsh came to Rochester after medical school at the Medical College of Virginia. He completed his undergraduate studies at Duke University in bioengineering. Following his military commitment, Jonathan plans to complete a pediatric otolaryngology fellowship.
Class of 2011
Alfredo Archilla, M.D.
Came to the University of Rochester from Ponce Medical School in Puerto Rico. Alfredo is currently completing a rhinology fellowship at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. Fre’s tentative plans include returning to Puerto Rico to practice rhinology and sinus surgery.
Sveta Karelsky, M.D.
One of the newest members of the Department faculty. Sveta is practicing the full scope of otolaryngology and will be based out of Highland Hospital. Dr. Karelsky came to Rochester from Vanderbilt School of Medicine after completing her undergraduate degree at UC-Berkley.
Class of 2010
William J. Livingston, M.D.
Currently in private practice outside of Birmingham, Alabama where he has a general otolaryngology practice treating all of the subspecialty areas. Jake joined the residency program in his PGY-2 year after completing a surgical internship at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. Dr. Livingston is a graduate of University of Alabama-Birmingham School of Medicine.
Justin Miller, M.D.
A native Rochesterian who attended high school at Edison Tech in Rochester before matriculating to Catalpa College in North Carolina. Justin received his medical school degree from Albany Medical School before joining the residency here. After completing his training, Justin has been enjoying a private practice near Niagara Falls, NY.
Class of 2009
Nathan Christensen, M.D.
Currently an otolaryngologist on active duty in the United States Air Force. Dr. Christensen and his family currently reside in Northern California near Travis AFB where Nathan is stationed. Dr. Christensen came to Rochester from Oregon Health Science where he received his medical degree.
Chandler Marietta, M.D.
Attended medical school at the University of Rochester after completing his undergraduate studies at Western Michigan University. Chandler completed a post graduate research fellowship in hearing research before entering the residency training program. Dr. Marietta joined a private practice specializing in otology in the Minneapolis area after graduation and will now be relocating to New Hampshire for a general otolaryngology practice opportunity.
Agata Brys, M.D.
Recently joined a practice in Dartmouth Massachusetts after completing a facial plastic surgery fellowship in Birmingham Alabama with Dr. Daniel Russo. Dr. Brys is working to establish a subspecialty facial plastic surgery practice within a large otolaryngology group. Agata joined the residency program in her second year of training after completing medical school at Boston University and her surgery internship at Eastern Virginia Medical Center. Agata enjoyed all aspects of otolaryngology and decided on a fellowship late in her training. This allowed an opportunity to practice general otolaryngology for a year before starting her fellowship.
Class of 2008
Matthew Bak, M.D.
Currently an assistant professor in the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck at Eastern Virginia Medical Center where he works as a fellowship-trained head and neck and microvascular reconstructive specialist. Before starting his residency here, Dr. Bak, a native of Massachusetts, earned his M.D. from the University of Rochester and his undergraduate degree from Middlebury College in Vermont. Matt received his fellowship training under Dr. Mark Urken at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City.
Class of 2007
Todd Brickman, M.D.
Entered the residency program having completed medical school at the Medical College of Ohio in Toledo. A native of Cleveland, Todd attended the University of Toledo and also earned his PhD is physiology. Following residency Dr. Brickman completed a Head and Neck and Reconstructive Surgery fellowship at Washington University in St. Louis. Todd was an Assistant Professor at St. Louis University from 2008 to 2011 with a head and neck surgery and facial plastic surgery practice. He and his wife Anita recently joined the faculty at LSU-New Orleans where Todd will continue with his academic practice.
Ameet Singh, M.D.
Completed a fellowship in Rhinology and Endoscopic Skull Base Surgery with Dr. Vijay Anand in New York City. Ameet came to the University of Rochester for residency after medical school at Weil-Cornell Medical School in New York and undergraduate studies at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. After his fellowship training Ameet and his family moved to Washington DC where he joined the faculty George Washington University Medical Center where Dr. Singh teaches on the faculty and has established a tertiary sinus and endoscopic skull base practice.
Class of 2006
Jared Spencer, M.D.
Currently in a group private practice in Benton, Arkansas. A native of Idaho, Jared attended Brigham Young University for his undergraduate degree. Dr. Spencer then attended the University of Washington for medical school before coming to Rochester. After residency, Jared completed a facial plastic surgery with Drs Kabaker and Mittelman in San Francisco. His current practice is a blend of general otolaryngology and facial plastic surgery.
Anita Jeyakumar, M.D.
An academic pediatric otolaryngologist at Louisiana State University Medical Center in New Orleans. Dr. Jeyakumar is a native of Nigeria who attended medical school at Meharry Medical College in Tennessee. After completing her residency here at the U of R, Anita did a pediatric fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic. Prior to moving to the LSU, Dr. Jeyakumar was on the academic faculty at the St. Louis University and Washington University Medical Centers.
Daniel Olney, M.D.
A facial plastic surgeon in practice in Iowa City, Iowa. Dr. Olney attended undergraduate and medical school at the University of Iowa. After completing residency here in Rochester, Dan returned to his hometown in Iowa to join a private general otolaryngology practice. After two years in practice, he returned to training completing a facial plastic surgery fellowship under Dr. Greg Renner at the University of Missouri. Dr. Olney came back to Western New York and served on the faculty at the University of Buffalo. Ultimately Dan and his family have returned to Iowa City where Dan has a facial plastic surgery practice in a large private otolaryngology group.
Scott Thompson, M.D.
Practices facial plastic surgery and otolaryngology in a suburb of Salt Lake City, Utah. Scott came to Rochester for medical school after undergraduate studies at Utah State. Dr. Thompson continued on in Rochester for his otolaryngology training. He then completed a sought after fellowship in facial plastic surgery here in Rochester with Dr. Vito Quatela. Following fellowship Scott moved to Utah where he has established practice blended with reconstructive and cosmetic surgery. Dr. Thompson continues to be involved in international reconstructive surgery missions.
Class of 2004
S.R. Newman, M.D.
Has been in practice in Hawaii since completing his residency training. SR is employed by the Kaiser Permanente group performing the full spectrum of otolaryngology. Dr. Newman came to the residency here in Rochester after medical school at the University of Utah.
Farhan Taghizadeh, M.D.
Completed a fellowship in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery after residency here in Rochester. Farhan attended medical school at Harvard after undergraduate studies at MIT. After fellowship Dr. Taghizadeh has practiced facial plastic surgery in the Southwest. Currently he serves as a medical director with the Lifestyle Lift.
Class of 2003
Deirdre Leake , M.D.
Practices facial plastic and reconstructive surgery and operates an aesthetic spa in St. Augustine, Florida. Dr. Leake came to the University of Rochester after earning her medical degree at the University of Tennessee in Memphis and her undergraduate degree at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. Deirdre went on to complete a fellowship in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery at the University of Michigan under Dr. Shan Baker.
Michael Jacobson, M.D.
Currently practicing in the Tidewater area of Virginia where he is a member of an established group practice in general otolaryngology and otolaryngologic allergy. Dr. Jacobson completed his residency training at the University of Rochester after earning his medical degree at the University of Colorado and his undergraduate degree in biology from the University of Denver.
Class of 2002
Richard Wein, M.D.
An Associate Professor and residency program director at Tufts University Medical Center in Boston. Dr. Wein is a fellowship-trained head and neck- microvascular reconstruction specialist who did his advanced training under Dr. Randal Weber at the University of Pennsylvania. A native of New Hampshire, Rich came to Rochester after completing medical school at Tufts.
John Howard, M.D.
In group practice in Virginia where counts among his partners fellow U of R program graduate Mike Jacobson. Dr. Howard came to Rochester from Vanderbilt where he earned his medical doctorate. A native of Kansas he completed his undergraduate studies at Kansas University. John has been in private practice since completing training having practiced in South Carolina and Tennessee before coming to Virginia.
Class of 2001
Ivan Wayne, M.D.
An Associate Professor and Director of Facial Plastic surgery at the University Of Oklahoma Medical Center where he has established a busy facial plastic cosmetic and reconstructive surgery practice. Dr. Wayne came to the University of Rochester from the University of Iowa where he received his undergraduate and medical degrees. Following residency Ivan completed a fellowship in facial plastic surgery at the University of Miami.
Darrell Klotz, M.D.
A fellowship trained laryngologist who is in practice with a large otolaryngology group in the Charlotte, North Carolina area. Darrell completed his medical school education at the University of Rochester and went on to complete his residency here as well. Following residency Dr. Klotz travelled to Seattle to complete a prestigious laryngology fellowship at the University of Washington. Dr. Klotz practices general otolaryngology with an emphasis on voice and swallowing disorders.