Theodoros N. Teknos, MD

Professor, Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery
Director, Division of Head and Neck Surgery
The David E. Schuller, MD, and Carole Schuller chair in Otolaryngology

Profile on OSU:Pro

Recent News:
RhoC Gene May Signal Aggressive Head And Neck Cancer

What do you like best about practicing medicine at OSU Medical Center?

We maintain a collegial and multidisciplinary approach to science-based patient care compared to other large academic institutions. Healthcare delivery here is more patient-focused and humanistic, and that is refreshing.

What excites you most about the future of medicine?

That medicine as a whole is evolving toward personalization of care. At Ohio State, medicine is already more patient-centered than elsewhere, which puts us in a position not only to be more humanistic but also to treat every patient as biologically unique and to tailor treatment accordingly.

How do you think P4 Medicine (medicine that is more predictive, preventive, personalized and participatory) will change your specialty over the next 10 years?

We have a team that is uniquely poised to deal with the emerging epidemic of human papillomavirus (HPV)-related oral cancers. One of our doctors, Maura Gillison, defined the connection between HPV and oral cancer. We now have the research capability to tailor treatment for patients with this disease. (Read more about Dr. Gillison on page 6.)

Name one of your medical career mentors and tell us what you learned from him/her.

Jim Netterville, MD, my fellowship director at Vanderbilt, had the best patient/doctor rapport I’ve seen for being close to his patients and responsive to their needs. He taught me that you can be a caring surgeon while also honing your craft. I learned from him that it’s OK to share in your patients’ pain, it’s OK to cry with them if there’s bad news, and it’s OK to celebrate with them when the news is good.

What advice do you have for young physicians early in their careers?

Bring your whole being into the doctor/patient relationship, not just your medical expertise. If you’re sensitive to your patients’ entire existence, they’ll heal better and you’ll feel better about your work. Also, medicine can be all-encompassing, so balance your personal and professional lives to maintain your humanity.

Who in history would you most like to meet and why?

Jesus Christ. He was an historical figure and one of the most controversial of all time. As a Christian, my ultimate goal would be to meet Christ.

What are your hobbies or volunteer activities?

My greatest accomplishment is my family life. I have a wonderful and supportive wife, and we have five children. A lot of my non-work activities center on my passion, which is to eradicate cancer. I sit on the board for Joan’s Fund, which raises money for head and neck cancer research at Ohio State. My wife and I also ride in Pelotonia, an annual bicycling tour to raise money for cancer research at the OSUCCC – James.

Rising Stars: The first is Matthew Old, MD, assistant professor of Otolaryngology, an exceptional and compassionate surgeon who bridges the gap between being a good person, clinician and scientist. The other is Quintin Pan, PhD, an exceptional and creative scientist who fully understands the clinical implications of his work.

CV summary

Undergraduate Degree: Wayne State University, Detroit

Medical Degree: Harvard Medical School

Internship: Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit

Residency: Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary/Harvard Combined Program

Fellowship: Vanderbilt University Medical Center

National Committees or Board Positions:

•  National Cancer Institute Head and Neck Cancer Steering Committee, Co-Chair of Task Force on Recurrent and Metastatic Disease

•  Editorial Board, ORL and Oral Oncology

•  Endocrine Surgery Committee, American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery

•  American Head and Neck Society Annual Meeting Scientific Program Committee

•  Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery Consulting Consortium Clinical Advisors

•  Head and Neck Surgery & Oncology Committee, American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery

•  American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery Oncology Committee, Consultant

•  Society of University Otolaryngologists, Research Committee

•  Founding Fellow, International Academy of Oral Oncology

Research Interests: Angiogenesis in head and neck cancer; refinements in microvascular reconstructive surgery in head and neck cancer patients; development of novel therapeutics for treatment of head and neck cancer; identification of serum and tissue markers in head and neck cancer.