Quinn A. Dunlap, MD

I was born and raised the small town of Hartselle, AL, and attended the University of Alabama at Birmingham where I obtained my Bachelors of Science in Biomedical Engineering (as well as minors in math, chemistry, and biology). I then matriculated into the UAB School of Medicine (UABSOM) and received my Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree after completing 4 years of training. My third (clinical) year of medical school was completed in Huntsville, AL and consisted of an abundance of hands-on experience, particularly while on my surgery rotation. This affirmed my aspiration to pursue and career in surgery as I had simultaneously been working in Dr. Bradford Woodworth’s lab conducting ENT research regarding cystic fibrosis and chronic rhinosinusitis. I matched in the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery residency program and completed an additional five years in surgical training pertaining to diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the ear, aerodigestive tract, head and neck, and sinuses. During my PGY-4 (4th year) of training, I was approached by the head and neck and endocrine faculty at UAMS and presented with the opportunity to become fellow in head and neck surgical oncology, thyroid and parathyroid surgery, transoral robotic surgery (TORS), and microvascular reconstruction. This fellowship not only further developed my surgical capabilities, experience, and knowledge base with regard to management of head and neck cancer, but also affirmed my passion for treating it. I subsequently moved to Knoxville, Tennessee and worked in close affiliation with the University of Tennessee Medical Center to treat head and neck cancer patients within the region by performing surgeries as well as working to further develop the head and neck program within the institution and thus improve access to care for patients within the region. After working in Knoxville for approximately 2.5 years I accepted at position within the University of Kentucky Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery as a head and neck surgical oncologist. My family and I are excited to join the UK Team as well as the Lexington community.

Personal Statement

I ultimately made the decision to pursue medical school following a medical mission trip to Guatemala during my sophomore year of college. The satisfaction and fulfillment I experienced through helping those in need during this trip led me to pursue medicine as a life-long passion.

Throughout my time in medical school I increasingly came to appreciate that otolaryngologists can function to produce high-impact, often-immediate results as a surgeon as well as form meaningful relationships and manage patients much like a primary care physician. Very few other areas of medicine, if any, possess both of these capabilities in such an intricately woven fashion. Furthermore, Otolaryngology is a field that encompasses the essence of communication. As such, ailments jeopardize the very identity of those they affect through loss of vital and unique human characteristics. The otolaryngologist thus serves as the means of re-establishment of the patient as an individual, markedly impacting and improving quality of life.

While I do find the entirety of the field of Otolaryngology to be fascinating, my interest in head and neck cancer led to my pursuit and completion of an additional year of fellowship training in head and neck oncologic surgery, transoral robotic surgery, head and neck reconstruction, and surgery of the thyroid and parathyroid glands. I find head and neck surgery to be the most impactful surgery in the field as these surgeries hold the potential to truly save lives. It is an honor privilege to participate in the care of head and neck cancer patients, and the relationships developed with these patients as a result are truly remarkable. As such, treating patients with head and neck cancer has truly become my passion with the mission to deliver state-of-the art, evidence-based surgical treatment to all patients under my care.

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