Department of Otolaryngology Faculty & Providers

Our Mission

To care for patients and educate the Otolaryngologists of tomorrow using the most advanced evidenced based medicine available. To lead the field of Otolaryngology with innovative basic, translational, and clinical research.

Our Faculty & Providers

David Bracken, MD

Dr. Bracken is a Laryngologist, an ENT who specializes in disorders of the voice, swallow, and airway. He is the Director of UTMB Voice and Swallow services and board-certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.

He completed an advanced fellowship in Laryngology and Care of the Professional Voice at the University of California San Francisco, under the training of three Laryngologists: Drs. Clark Rosen (a U.S. leader in the field of Laryngology), VyVy Young, and Yue Ma. He completed his ENT residency at the University of California San Diego and a year of research with the National Institutes of Health with a focus on neurolaryngology and development of non-invasive skin surface electrode technologies for evaluation of voice and swallow activity. He graduated from the University of Texas School of Medicine in Houston and is thrilled to be back in the Houston area.

Dr. Bracken's understanding of the voice has grown from his perspectives as both a physician and a performing artist himself. He previously performed with Houston Grand Opera and has undergraduate training in vocal performance and choral education (Sam Houston State University). This training and life experiences have led to expertise in developing treatment plans for occupational voice demands of all types, musical genres, age groups, and professional levels.

His care and treatment extend beyond the voice to full-spectrum airway and swallowing complaints as well. His surgical training includes specialization in advanced awake endoscopic procedures, laser microsurgery, delicate vocal fold microsurgery, and throat and tracheal surgeries.

He is moved to help those struggling with consequences of prior therapy and surgery in difficult situations, and this passion focuses on optimizing and restoring quality-of-life losses from impacts of all voice, swallow, and breathing disorders. He practices with an integrated, team-based, and patient-centered philosophy. He works hand-in-hand with UTMB’s expert Speech-Language Pathologists (voice and swallowing rehabilitation specialists). Collaborative care is critical, and he enjoys working with other disciplines in optimizing patient care (Head and Neck Cancer Surgery, Gastroenterology, Geriatrics, Neurology, Pulmonology, Rheumatology, etc).

For Dr. Bracken, the practice of medicine is a team-based sport, and he would love to help in building your team.

During his free time, Dr. Bracken enjoys music, traveling, and hiking with his lovely wife, a pediatric occupational therapist.

Reasons for Referral

Hoarseness / Dysphonia
Professional Voice Care
Benign vocal fold masses and lesions
Chronic Cough/Throat Clearing
Early Laryngeal Cancer / Transoral Laser Microsurgery
Swallowing Disorders/Dysphagia
Vocal fold weakness/paralysis
Spasmodic Dysphonia
Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis
Zenker’s Diverticulum
Chronis Aspiration/Frequent Pneumonia
Breathing Disorders of Upper Airway/Dyspnea
Airway stenosis
Post-COVID 19 Airway Disorders
Subglottic Stenosis
Posterior Glottic Stenosis

Medical/Professional School:

University of Texas Medical School at Houston,
Houston, TX 2015

Residencies:

Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of California – San Diego
San Diego, CA, 2021

Fellowship:

Laryngology and Care of the Professional Voice, University of California - San Francisco,
San Francisco, CA, 2022

Research Fellow, National Institute of Health,
University of California – San Francisco, 2018

Certification:

Otolaryngology, American Board of Otolaryngology

Orly M. Coblens, MD, FACS

Reagan Davis, PA-C

Kelly Drago, PA-C

Yusif Hajiyev, MD, PhD

Scott Hardison, MD, FAAOA

Assistant Professor
Department of Otolaryngology

Dr. Hardison completed his residency training in Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery at Virginia Commonwealth University Health System in Richmond, Virginia. After residency, he worked in private practice as a general Otolaryngologist in coastal North Carolina. There, he treated a broad range of surgical conditions of the head and neck, also serving as the Clinic Director for Allergy and the Vice Chair of Surgery for CarolinaEast Medical Center. Following years in successful general practice, his particular interest in the treatment of sinonasal conditions and skull base tumors led him to complete a prestigious fellowship in NeuroRhinology – Advanced Rhinology and Skull Base Surgery at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. A strong love of teaching drew him to UTMB after completing his fellowship training.

As a Rhinologist, Dr. Hardison sees patients with a variety of conditions related to the nose and sinuses. In particular, he specializes in the treatment of nasal obstruction, recurrent and chronic sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, nasal polyps, smell/taste disorders, nose bleeds, and benign/malignant tumors of the skull base. His subspecialty Rhinology training also allows him to provide comprehensive care to patients who have failed prior sinus surgery. Surgical procedures are offered in both the office and operating room settings.

Additionally, Dr. Hardison works closely with colleagues in the Departments of Neurosurgery, Radiation Oncology and Hematology/Oncology to treat benign and malignant tumors of the sinuses, pituitary, and anterior skull base. This multi-disciplinary approach ensures that patients receive the most effective and up-to-date treatments available.

Dr. Hardison is board certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy (AAOA). He teaches sinus and skull base surgery courses nationally and internationally. His research focuses on the effects of Spaceflight on the nose and sinuses.

Reasons for Referral

Recurrent/Chronic Sinusitis

Nasal polyps

Nasal obstruction (deviated nasal septum, enlarged turbinates)

Cerebrospinal fluid leak

Allergic Rhinitis

Nosebleeds

Chronic runny nose

Failed prior nasal / sinus surgery

Pituitary tumors

Benign sinonasal and skull base tumors

Malignant sinonasal and skull base tumors

Medical/Professional School:

Wake Forest University School of Medicine – Winston Salem, NC

Internship:

Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery, Virginia Commonwealth University Health System – Richmond, VA

Residency:

Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery, Virginia Commonwealth University Health System – Richmond, VA

Fellowship:

NeuroRhinology – Advanced Rhinology and Skull Base Surgery, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill – Chapel Hill, NC

Certification:

Otolaryngology, American Board of Otolaryngology

Charles A. Hughes, MD, MBA, MPH

Shawna Jackson, AuD

Nausheen Jamal, MD, MBA

Tyler Janz, MD

Kate Kerr, MS, CCC-SLP

Tomoko Makishima, MD, PhD, FACS

Brian McKinnon, MD, MBA, MPH, FACS

Professor and Vice Chair
Department of Otolaryngology—Head & Neck Surgery

Dr. McKinnon joined the University of Texas Medical Branch in 2019, and is Professor (tenured), Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. Dr. McKinnon serves as the Medical Director, System Optimization and Performance, UTMB Health, and Vice Chair, Clinical Operations for the Department of Otolaryngology, John Sealy School of Medicine, UTMB.

Dr. McKinnon graduated from Boston University School of Medicine and following a surgical internship at National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, MD, spent five years as a U.S. Naval Flight Surgeon. He completed his Otolaryngology training at Naval Medical Center, Portsmouth, VA, and his Neurotology fellowship at the University of Virginia. He is Board Certified in Neurotology, received his M.B.A. from Johns Hopkins University, and his M.P.H. (Biostatistics concentration) from the University of Memphis. Dr. McKinnon was on the teaching faculty of the National Naval Medical Center/Walter Reed Army Medical Center Combined Otolaryngology Residency, and Staff Otolaryngologist to both the White House Medical Unit and the DiLorenzo Tricare Health Clinic. Following his active duty service, he was Associate Professor, Otology/Neurotology at Georgia Regents University before joining the Shea Ear Clinic. While with the Shea Ear Clinic, Dr. McKinnon was Clinical Associate Professor, Otology/Neurotology, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center, and later concurrently Associate Professor and Vice-Chair Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Drexel Univeristy College of Medicine, as well as Associate Professor, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Pennsylvania College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Dr. McKinnon is a Fellow of the Triological Society, the American Neurotology Society, and the American Otological Society, as well as being active in many other organizations. He serves as the Otolaryngology Representative to the AMA CPT Editorial Panel for the Triological Society, and the Co-Chair of the CPT Committee for the Triological Society. His primary research interest currently is the use of large databases to better understand how to improve patient health.

Reasons for Referral

Chronic Ear Infections
Hearing loss and Deafness
Cochlear and Implantable Hearing Devices
Vestibular and Balance Disorders
Facial Nerve Weakness or Paralysis

Medical/Professional School:
Boston University School of Medicine – MD, 1990
Johns Hopkins University – MBA, 2005
University if Memphis Concentration in Biostatistics - MPH, 2016

Residencies: Surgery Internship, National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, MA – 1991
Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Naval Medical Center, Portsmouth, VA - 2000

Fellowship:
Otology/Neurotology, University of Virginia Health Sciences Center, Charlottesville, VA – 2002

Certifications: 
National Board of Medical Examiner of the United States - 1991
Otolaryngology, American Board of Otolaryngology—Head & Neck Surgery – 2001
Neurotology – 2004

Click here to v isit Dr. McKinnon’s UTMB Health page and to make an appointment.

Taylor Mitchell, PA-C

Lupita Nowak, PA-C

Harold S. Pine, MD, FAAP, FACS

Viran Ranasinghe, MD

Vicente Resto, MD, PhD, MBA, FACS

Sepehr Shabani, MD

Farrah Siddiqui, MD, FAAOA, FACS

Associate Professor
Director of Otolaryngic Allergy
Department of Otolaryngology

Dr. Siddiqui completed her training in Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, where she also finished her General Surgery Internship. Before joining UTMB in March 2010 as Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology, she was in private practice as a general Otolaryngologist in the suburbs of Dallas. Dr. Siddiqui comes to UTMB well-trained, having completed her medical school at the Aga Khan University Medical College in Karachi, Pakistan. She also speaks English, Urdu, Hindi fluently, basic French as well as some Thai and Arabic.

As a general Otolaryngologist with further interest and training in Allergy, Dr. Siddiqui enjoys seeing both pediatric and adult patients with a variety of ear, nose and throat problems, including allergic rhinitis, nasal obstruction, recurrent and chronic sinusitis, nasal polyps, smell disorders, epistaxis, ear infections, eustachian tube dysfunction, tonsillitis, snoring and sleep apnea. She performs in clinic procedures such as allergy testing, allergy shots, sublingual immunotherapy, balloon sinuplasty, radiofrequency ablation for nasal obstruction and drainage, radiofrequency ablation for snoring, as well as surgical procedures in the operating room such as functional endoscopic sinus surgery, septoplasty, turbinate reduction, tonsillectomy/adenoidectomy, ear tubes, eustachian tube dilation, minimally invasive balloon sinuplasty. She is board certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy (AAOA) as well as the American College of Surgeons. Dr Siddiqui teaches Allergy courses nationally with the AAOA and her research interest is also focused on Otolaryngic Allergy. She has been involved in medical student and resident training in Otolaryngology since starting at UTMB in 2010.

Reasons for Referral
Allergic Rhinitis
Nasal obstruction (deviated nasal septum, enlarged turbinates)
Recurrent/Chronic Sinusitis
Nasal polyps
Nosebleeds
Recurrent ear infections/Eustachian tube dysfunction
Recurrent/ Chronic Tonsillitis
ENT problems due to allergy (chronic pharyngitis/laryngitis, eustachian tube dysfunction)

Medical/Professional School:
Aga Khan University Medical College - Karachi, Pakistan, MD

Internship:
General Surgery, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS)- Little Rock, AR

Residency:
Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery, UAMS- Little Rock, AR

Fellowship:
Fellow of American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy and American College of Surgeons

Certification:
Otolaryngology, American Board of Otolaryngology

Dayton Young, MD, FACS