ALUMNUS OF THE YEAR
Taher Valika, MD
Taher Valika, MD, is a pediatric otolaryngologist at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. His academic expertise
is in pediatric airway reconstruction and managing complex sleep related airway disorders. Dr. Valika’s clinical interests include multilevel airway obstruction
in patients with obstructive sleep apnea, laryngeal clefts and feeding disorders, complex laryngotracheal stenosis, and tracheostomy management.
Dr. Valika’s research focuses on improving patient outcomes through innovation. His lab based research focuses on 3D printing for airway reconstruction using biologic implants.
Additional areas of work include improving tracheostomy outcomes using machine learning.
Recent Graduates
Sarah Khayat, MD
Facial Plastics & Reconstructive Surgery Fellowship,
Salt Lake City Private Practice Group affiliated with
University of Utah
Ashley Soaper, MD
Pediatric Otolaryngology Fellowship at the
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
Alex Labby, MD
Rhinology & Skull Base Surgery Fellowship at
Vanderbilt University
Lisa Brown, MD
Faculty at Central DuPage and
Delnor Hospitals of Northwestern Medicine
Michael Gorelik, MD
Pediatric Otolaryngology,
Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago
(McGaw Northwestern)
Elise Lippmann, MD
Comprehensive Otolaryngologist,
Massachusetts Eye and Ear,
Harvard Medical School,
Boston, MA
Sheena Samra, MD
Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Fellowship,
Lasky Clinic,
Beverly Hills, CA
Auddie Sweis, MD
Rhinology and Skull Base Surgery Fellowship,
University of Pennsylvania