Jayme Dowdall, M.D., is a new faculty member at UNMC.
- Name: Jayme Dowdall, M.D.
- Hometown: Lawrence, Kan.
- Title and department at UNMC: Assistant professor, UNMC Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
Research/professional interests:
- Performing arts medicine;
- Care for the professional vocalist;
- Sex differences in the presentation and treatment of diseases in the unified airway that involve the larynx; and
- Innovating patient-centered and team-based care delivery pathways.
How I fell in love with laryngology:
I fell in love with laryngology before I knew it was a real job. I was a singer who loved science and figured I would be a doctor for singers. I also fell in love with research as an undergraduate when looking at cells under the microscope. It was not until my first year of medical school that I found out about otolaryngology. As soon as I observed clinic and the OR, I was hooked.
I was encouraged by my medical school mentor, Gregory Grillone, M.D., to take a summer research position at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary. I was able to harvest larynges, look at the slides under the microscope, and experiment with lasers and tissue healing. Ever since this time, I’ve been fascinated with the cells and tissues of the unified airway and how this results in meaningful contributions for patient care.
I was fortunate to have a placement in the Rajagopal Lab at Massachusetts General Hospital to characterize the cell types in the vocal fold and how this differs from the rest of the respiratory tree. I also became interested in patient-centered care redesign in 2015. I began exploring competencies for health care professionals engaged in the care of vocalists, the impact of telepractice on adherence to voice therapy and understanding the needs of women with upper airway and laryngeal components to respiratory disease.
After my performing arts medicine certification, I wanted to explore how performers’ health care needs may be different from the general patient population and also explore the deep knowledge in performing arts traditions could positively impact patients who may not have an arts background.
Degrees:
- B.A., biochemistry and molecular biology, Boston University
- M.D., Boston University School of Medicine
Memberships:
- The Voice Foundation
- Performing Arts Medicine Association
- American Bronchoesophalogical Association – Candidate Member
- American Laryngologic Association – Postgraduate Member
- Society of University Otolaryngologists (SUO)
- American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
Three things people may not know about me:
- I love singing, exploring/trying new things and going to the playground with my son.