Leading Innovation. Achieving Impact

George and Helen Vari Chair in Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery

Danny Enepekides

Welcome to the Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery. We are the largest department in Canada and ranked as one of the top departments in North America. The University of Toronto consistently ranks in the top 20 universities in the world. We are known for excellence in all sub specialties of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery and have a long track record of excellence in basic and clinical science research.

Read entire Chair's Message

Our Priorities

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

Professionalism & Respect

Education

Research & Discovery

Partnership & Collaboration

Key Governance and Leadership

Program Highlights

Endowed Chair - The George & Helen Vari Chair in Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery

The George and Helen Vari Foundation has made a leadership commitment in support of a new endowed chair in the University of Toronto’s Department of Otolaryngology—Head & Neck Surgery.

#WhyOHNS

We asked our faculty, fellows and residents why they decided to specialize in otolaryngology - head & neck surgery. Here are their responses

What is Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery?

Ever wonder what an otolaryngology-head and neck surgeon does? Why don't we just call them ENTs?

Here is a video of explanation!

Sep 29

Quality & Safety Committee Meeting 2026-27

Departmental Committee Meeting | 5:30pm - 6:30pm

Oct 6

Executive Committee Meeting 2026-27

Departmental Committee Meeting | 5:30pm - 6:30pm

Oct 17 – 20

AAO-HNS Annual Meeting & Oto Experience, Los Angeles, California

Conference | ALL DAY

Oct 20

Residency Program Committee & Competence Committee Meeting 2026-27

Residency Program Committee Meeting | 5:00pm - 6:00pm

Grand Rounds

Next Grand Rounds:
Friday, October 02, 2026
7:30-8:30 AM

Title: The View from Here: Reflections on Discovery, Growth, and Collective Purpose

Speaker:
Sharon Cushing, MD, MSc, FRCSC
Professor – Department of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery, University of Toronto
Director – Cochlear Implant Program – Hospital for Sick Children
Otolaryngologist in Chief - Department of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery, Hospital for Sick Children
Associate Member - Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto

Recordings
To request access to a recording of a previous Grand Rounds session, please email events.ohns@utoronto.ca.

Support Us

Improving Lives Through Innovative Research Discovery and Patient Care Otolaryngology is a medical specialty concerned with the diagnosis and surgical treatment of disorders and diseases of the head and neck. It is a highly specialized field that addresses a multitude of disorders spanning illness or injury of the ear, nose and throat, which includes hearing loss, congenital birth defects, voice loss, nose-related issues, airway emergencies, and many different types of cancer. Otolaryngologists also perform facial plastic and reconstructive surgery around the head, neck and skull base. The development of more precision-based technologies has allowed otolaryngologists to better serve patient needs. But there is still a growing need for more of these highly trained specialists in the Greater Toronto Area.