About
Biography
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
- Head
- Neck
- Chest (Thorax and Pectoral Girdle)
- Back, vertebral column and spinal cord
- Abdomen
- Female and Male Pelvis and Perineum
- Upper extremity
- 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
Appointments
Otolaryngology Surgery
Assistant Clinical ProfessorPrimary
Other Departments & Organizations
Education & Training
- MSc
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford University Hospital, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery : Residency and Chief Residency
- MSc
- University of Miami-Jackson Memorial Hospital- VA Hospital, Departments of Internal Medicine and Surgery
- MD
- New York University Grossman School of Medicine, Department of Medicine and Surgery; With Honors
- BA
- Tufts University, Departments of Chemistry and Biology; Magna Cum Laude; Phi Beta Kappa
Board Certifications
Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
- Certification Organization
- American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
- Original Certification Date
- 1985
Head and Neck Surgery
- Certification Organization
- American Society of Head and Neck Surgery
- Original Certification Date
- 1985
Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery
- Certification Organization
- American College of Surgeons
- Original Certification Date
- 1984
Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery
- Certification Organization
- American Board of Otolaryngology
- Original Certification Date
- 1978
Research
Research at a Glance
Publications Timeline
Publications
2003
Surgery for Hyperthyroidism
Falk SA, Popat SR, , Ch 10 in: Surgery of the Thyroid and Parathyroid Glands, edited by Randolph GW, Saunders, Philadelphia, 2003Peer-Reviewed Educational Materials
1997
Study guide: Thyroid Disease
Falk SA. , 1993-97, American Academy of Family Practice.Peer-Reviewed Educational Materials
1996
Thyroid Cancers - Papillary, Follicular and Hurthle cell
Goldman N, Coniglio J, Falk SA. In Otolaryngology Clinics of North America, Current Concepts in Management of Thyroid and Parathyroid Disorders, eds ML Shindo and PA Singer, WB Saunders, Philadelphia, 29:4, pp. 593-603.Peer-Reviewed Educational Materials
1989
Evaluation and Treatment of Thyroid Cancer,
Falk SA, Birken EA, Course Syllabus, 1983-89, American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.Peer-Reviewed Educational Materials
1982
Hyperthyroidism, Course Syllabus
40. Falk SA, Birken EA, , 1982, American Academy of Otolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery.Peer-Reviewed Educational Materials
Academic Achievements & Community Involvement
Activities
activity The following medical Journals: The Thyroid, Head and Neck, Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
1988 - 2014Journal ServiceSection Editoractivity American Head and Neck Society
1985 - 2002Meeting Planning and ParticipationModeratorDetailsServed as Moderator of Thyroid and Parathyroid Research Papers at International Conferences on Head and Neck Canceractivity “Hypothermia during Thyroid Surgery Causes Hypoparathyroidism”
01/01/1996 - 01/01/1996Oral PresentationFourth International Conference on Head and Neck CancerDetailsToronto, ON, CanadaSponsored by American Head and Neck Societyactivity “Management of the Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve in Patients with Suspected or Proven Thyroid Cancer”
01/01/1994 - 01/01/1994Oral PresentationAmerican Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, annual meeting, 1994DetailsSan Diego, CA, United StatesSponsored by American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery,activity American Academy of Otolaryngology -Head and Neck Surgery
1987 - 1991Peer Review Groups and Grant Study SectionsAd-hoc MemberDetailsEndocrine (Thyroid and Parathyroid) Surgery Committee
Honors
honor Nomination for the 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
08/22/2022Yale School of Medicine AwardYale School of Medicine faculty and students.DetailsUnited Stateshonor Honor Award for 10 consecutive years of teaching thyroid surgery course at the national meeting
09/20/2007, 09/07/1998National AwardAmerican Academy of Otolaryngology -Head and Neck SurgeryDetailsUnited Stateshonor Best Doctors in America. Evaluation done by physicians and providers
01/05/1998National AwardWoodward WhiteDetailsUnited Stateshonor Best Doctors in America. Evaluation done by physicians and providers
01/06/1997National AwardWoodward WhiteDetailsUnited Stateshonor Best Research Paper at Surgical Research Forum: “Measurement of serum calcitonin as a screening test for thyroid nodules”,
06/04/1996National AwardDepartment of Surgery, University of Rochester School of MedicineDetailsUnited States