Stephen Falk

Dr. Stephen Falk has taught and practiced medicine at Yale School of Medicine and Cornell Scott Hill Health Center, New Haven, CT. He is Assistant Clinical Professor in the Departments of Surgery and Anatomy at Yale School of Medicine. Previously he served as Associate Clinical Professor of Surgery and Family Medicine at the University of Rochester School of Medicine-Strong Memorial Hospital, Rochester, NY.

Dr. Falk's training includes: 1. residency and chief-residency in Department of Otolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery at Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, CA.

2. post-doctoral studies in biostatistics and epidemiology at the University of North Carolina, School of Public Health, Chapel Hill, NC.

3. Associate Research Scientist, National Institutes of Health

Dr. Falk has clinical experience in a wide range of medical and surgical aspects of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery including thyroid, parathyroid, head and neck cancer, otology, nose and sinus, sleep apnea, facial plastic surgery, maxillofacial trauma, cranial nerves and others.

His interests in patient care, research and teaching include:

Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery -Publications Section has original research papers of the topics below written by Dr. Falk and colleagues

1. cancer of head and neck

2. techniques of thyroid surgery

3. management of the pharyngeal, superior laryngeal and inferior laryngeal nerves (recurrent and non-recurrent) (3 cervical branches of CN 10) in suspected and proven thyroid cancer

4. hypocalcemia, hypoparathyroidism, calcium metabolism, and hypocalcitonemia pre, intra, and post-thyroidectomy

5. hypothermia is a cause of temporary post-thyroidectomy hypocalcemia

6. balancing risks vs rewards during thyroidectomy

7. radiation-induced thyroid cancer (I131, XRT)

8. use of serum calcitonin in evaluation of thyroid nodules

9. molecular genetics and clinical management of multiple endocrine neoplasia syndromes

Neuroscience:

1. General neuroanatomy and neurologic function

2. Cranial Nerves- neuroanatomy, gross anatomy, physiology, and diseases

3. Peripheral nervous system- cervical, brachial, lumbar, and sacral plexi : autonomic (sympathetic and parasympathetic) nervous system

4. Cerebral function

5. Auditory and Visual Systems

Integrated anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology of all organ systems

1. Head
2. Neck
3. Chest (Thorax and Pectoral Girdle)
4. Back, vertebral column and spinal cord
5. Abdomen
6. Female and Male Pelvis and Perineum
7. Upper extremity
8. Lower extremity

Patient care, research, and teaching the above topics have occurred at national and local meetings, Grand Rounds, and courses at the following institutions among others: National Institutes of Health, American Thyroid Association, Harvard Medical School, Yale School of Medicine, American College of Surgeons, American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, American Academy of Family Physicians, George Washington University School of Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Cornell Scott Hill Health Center, New Haven, CT

Dr. Falk has served as an editorial staff reviewer for the following peer reviewed journals among others: The Thyroid, Head and Neck. Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
He earned fellowships in:

1. American College of Surgeons (FACS)

2. American Board of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (FAAO-HNS) from which he is board certified.

3. American Society of Head and Neck Surgery

4. American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

5. American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery

Dr. Falk is a former Lieutenant Commander, US Public Health Service, National Institutes of Health, 1971-74.

Dr. Falk earned the degree Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) from the American College, Bryn Mawr, PA, after successfully completing and passing extensive course work, written examinations, and on the job work requirements.

Thyroid Disease: Endocrinology, Surgery, Nuclear Medicine and Radiotherapy, is a comprehensive, 40-chapter text (in two editions) which Dr. Falk organized, edited and partly authored with chapter contributions from 70 experts. It is one of the first thyroid texts to use multi- and inter-disciplinary approaches that provide the best care for the patient with thyroid disease.

Dr. Falk teaches integrated anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology and neuroanatomy and neurologic function, and general surgical techniques to medical students at Yale School of Medicine in the donor-cadaver laboratory throughout their first year. The laboratory activities bring together first year medical students with their teachers including students in higher classes, anatomy faculty, residents in training and physicians and surgeons of all types practicing at Yale. The atmosphere is truly inspiring as students and faculty carry on meticulous hands-on study of anatomy and both are learners and teachers. I continue to be amazed by the energy and zeal for teaching and learning that occurs in every laboratory session. As a consequence, students often regard anatomy as the best and most fundamental course in their medical education.

Dr. Falk was recently nominated for the prestigious Charles Bohmfalk Prize for Teaching in Clinical Sciences as judged by the Yale School of Medicine faculty and students. The prize attests to dedication to medical student education, honors outstanding contributions to the teaching program, serving as a role model for the Yale community of educators. as an outstanding teacher with excellent skills in the teaching of integrated anatomy, in all body systems: Head, Neck: Chest; Back, vertebral column and spinal cord; Abdomen; Female and Male Pelvis and Perineum; Upper extremity; Lower extremity