Message from David W. Stepnick, MD

A warm welcome to the MetroHealth Medical Center Department of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery website. Our group of exceptionally talented physicians, advanced practice providers, and audiologists are here to serve our patients with expertise, skill, and compassion.

As an affiliate of Case Western Reserve University, the physicians of the Department all have faculty appointments and are involved not only in patient care but keep current and up to date as teachers and researchers. As with other exceptional academic Departments, these three components are part of our fundamental mission: patient care, research and teaching. Of course, our mission mirrors that of the MetroHealth System: “Leading the way to a healthier you and a healthier community through service, teaching, discovery and teamwork.”

MetroHealth’s values, which include Service to Others, Teamwork, Accountability, Respect, Inclusion & Diversity, and Quest for Excellence are embodied by everyone in the Department and are generally what draws many employees, including physicians and advanced practice providers, to MetroHealth.

Our providers include our Advanced Practice Providers, Kara Conroy, PA-C, Laura Posey, CNP, and Jessica Kurtz, CNP. Robert Stegmoyer, MD and Michael Weber, MD are physicians whose skills broadly span the various components of the ear, nose, and throat specialty.

In addition, there are five fellowship-trained physicians who provide the expert care that our patients deserve. These include:

• David Ludlow, MD is sub-specialty trained in microvascular free flaps, head and neck cancer surgery, robotic surgery, and sialoendoscopy – using tiny fiberoptic scopes and instruments to manage salivary (spit) gland issues in a new and modern way.
• Steven Houser, MD cares for patients with sinus problems and is the only provider in the greater Cleveland area who does allergy treatment with drops of allergen extract under the tongue instead of shots.
• Aaron Baker, MD is a specialist in all things related to the ear: hearing loss, chronic ear infections, cholesteatoma, vertigo, and cochlear implants.
• Akash Naik, MD will be joining our Department in August 2023. His fellowship in head & neck cancer surgery and microvascular free flap reconstruction in Indiana was from 2022 - 2023.
• David Stepnick, MD, FACS. Fellowship training in Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery and Department Chair of Otolaryngology.

Two other physicians are part of our staff, each bringing their own experience and expertise, but practice part-time: Harvey Tucker, MD, and Madeleine Lenox, MD. Last, but certainly not least, are our very strong group of audiology colleagues that have a tremendous wealth of experience and expertise and are integral members of the Department.

Surgeries are performed at main campus and MetroHealth Parma; our providers see patients in the office at various satellites to help bring care closer to our patients’ homes. These sites are Parma, Lyndhurst, Westlake Crocker Park, and Brecksville.

I am honored to serve this great Department as Chair and we all look forward to providing you exceptional care.

Sincerely,

David Stepnick, MD, FACS
Professor & Chair, Department of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery
 Case Western Reserve University / MetroHealth
Executive Director, Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery
 Director, Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
 MetroHealth Medical System
 Cleveland, OH