Physicians bring expertise in complex sinus and skull base disorders to ECMC
BUFFALO, NY— Drs. Troy Woodard and Matthew Kabalan have brought their high-quality clinical experience in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery to ECMC where patients will benefit from their deep expertise in complex sinus and skull base disorders — including chronic sinusitis, nasal polyps, cerebrospinal fluid leaks, and sinonasal tumors. Dr. Woodard is an internationally respected surgeon, educator and physician-leader whose career reflects excellence, innovation and a deep commitment to advancing care and training the next generation and Dr. Kabalan has trained with internationally renowned rhinologists and skull base neurosurgeons and will pair with neurosurgical partners to provide oncologic care for a variety of sinonasal and skull base tumors through a minimally invasive, endoscopic approach. Together, Dr. Woodard and Dr. Kabalan will lead ECMC’s Center for Sinus and Skull Base Surgery with a focus on Rhinology, which is a subspecialty focused on treating diseases affecting the paranasal sinuses and the anterior skull base. Rhinologists utilize minimally invasive, endoscopic techniques to address many conditions, including but not limited to, complicated sinus disease; cerebrospinal fluid leaks; and sinus, nasal, and skull base tumors.
With deep expertise in complex sinus and skull base disorders — including chronic sinusitis, nasal polyps, cerebrospinal fluid leaks, and sinonasal tumors — Dr. Woodard focuses on minimally invasive, image-guided techniques that enhance safety and speed recovery. His impact extends beyond the operating room: he has delivered hundreds of invited lectures worldwide and authored an extensive collection of peer-reviewed publications and book chapters, driving innovation in sinus and skull base surgery. Dr. Kabalan has trained with internationally renowned rhinologists and skull base neurosurgeons and will pair with neurosurgical partners to provide oncologic care for a variety of sinonasal and skull base tumors through a minimally invasive, endoscopic approach.
Dr. Woodard possesses an impressive record of leadership and innovation. At the Cleveland Clinic, he spearheaded rhinology, sinus and skull base surgery as section head, directed operations at the Beachwood Ambulatory Surgery Center, and served as a full professor at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University. His influence has shaped the future of the specialty. Most recently, he served as president of the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) — the world’s largest professional society in the field, representing over 14,000 members globally. His election was groundbreaking: only the second African American and among the youngest physicians ever to hold this prestigious role in the academy’s 129-year history.
A lifelong Western New Yorker, Kabalan earned his medical degree from the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo and completed his residency training in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery through the school’s Department of Otolaryngology. After residency, Dr. Kabalan completed a one-year fellowship in rhinology at the Cleveland Clinic.
Dr. Woodard is also joining the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo as chair of the Department of Otolaryngology and physician executive for UBMD Otolaryngology, while Dr. Kabalan will serve as an assistant professor of otolaryngology at the University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine.
About the Erie County Medical Center (ECMC) Corporation: The ECMC Corporation was established as a New York State Public Benefit Corporation and since 2004 has included an advanced academic medical center with 573 inpatient beds, on- and off-campus health centers, more than 30 outpatient specialty care services and Terrace View, a 390-bed long-term care facility. ECMC is Western New York’s only Level 1 Adult Trauma Center, as well as a regional center for burn care, behavioral health services, transplantation, medical oncology and head & neck cancer care, rehabilitation, and a major teaching facility for the University at Buffalo. Most ECMC physicians, dentists and pharmacists are dedicated faculty members of the university and/or members of a private practice plan. More Western New York residents are choosing ECMC for exceptional patient care and patient experiences.