A leading international authority in nose and sinus problems, Donald
A. Leopold, M.D., has been named professor and chairman of the University
of Nebraska Medical Center Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck
Surgery.
Dr. Leopold’s appointment was effective Aug. 1. He joins UNMC after
serving as chairman of the Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck
Surgery at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center in Baltimore, Md., from
1991 to 1997. He also served as director of rhinology at Johns Hopkins
University. Rhinology is the study of the nose and related areas.
“We are absolutely thrilled to have Dr. Leopold join our team,” said
James Linder, M.D., interim dean of the UNMC College of Medicine. “He has
a strong interest in education, particularly releated to clinical practice
improvement techniques, and the application of new therapies to sinus disorders.
These attributes will be critically important as we strive to achieve excellence
together.”
Dr. Leopold received his educational training at three Big 10 universities,
earning his undergraduate degree in engineering from the University of
Michigan, his medical degree from Ohio State University and his otolaryngology
residency training at the University of Iowa.
Prior to coming to Johns Hopkins in 1991, he worked 13 years at the
State University of New York Health Science Center in Syracuse, N.Y., where
he developed interests in the sense of smell and became a leader in the
development of functional endoscopic sinus surgery.
At Johns Hopkins, Dr. Leopold expanded his research interests to include
studies on chronic rhinosinusitis and neuro-degenerative disorders that
affect the sense of smell nerves. He has more than 80 published articles
and chapters on these topics and serves on the editorial board or as a
reviewer for several medical journals in his specialty field. An active
clinician and surgeon, Dr. Leopold will be seeing patients with nasal,
sinus and sense of smell concerns.
“The UNMC Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery already
has a strong clinical, teaching and research foundation,” Dr. Leopold said.
“In the future, I would hope we can strengthen all these areas. I think
it is especially important to all areas of medicine that we understand
how our current medical practices actually affect patient care. I will
place special emphasis on this aspect with a faculty person hired to assist
in these studies.”
Dr. Leopold said he also will encourage clinical and research collaboration
with Boys Town National Research Hospital, which is internationally recognized
as a leader in research and treatment for communicative disorders.
His goal is for the Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery
to provide “cutting edge” care to its patients locally, while becoming
an international leader in the scientific community.
Among his numerous awards, Dr. Leopold has received the Honor Award
from the American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery and
the Golden Head Mirror Award from the American Rhinologic Society. He also
has been included in the “Best Doctors in America” editions since 1994.
UNMC is the only public academic health science center in the state.
Through its commitment to research, education, outreach and patient care,
UNMC has established itself as one of the country’s leading centers for
cancer research and treatment and solid organ transplantation. More than
$34 million in research grants and contracts are awarded to UNMC scientists
annually. In addition, UNMC’s educational programs are responsible for
training more health professionals practicing in Nebraska than any other
institution.