By Duke Medicine News and Communications

DURHAM, N.C. -- Ramon M. Esclamado, M.D., joined Duke University Medical Center as chief of otolaryngology on Jan. 1, 2006. The announcement was made by Duke surgery chairman Danny O. Jacobs, M.D., MPH.

Esclamado, 50, comes to Duke from the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University, where he served as professor of surgery. He also served as vice chairman of the Head and Neck Institute of the Cleveland Clinic and as Head of the Section of Head and Neck Surgery within the institute since 1996.

Known for his expertise in the care and management of patients with benign and malignant tumors of the head and neck, Esclamado has 16 years experience in the education and training of resident physicians in all aspects of head and neck surgery.

"Dr. Esclamado is universally applauded for his contributions to patient care, for his leadership of multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary teams so as to achieve excellence in research, education and administration, and for his mentoring of junior faculty, residents and students," Jacobs said. "He brings great maturity, energy and enthusiasm to Duke surgery and I look forward to his contributions – which will likely be plentiful."

As chief, Esclamado plans to enhance Duke's clinical programs and to further develop translational and outcomes research initiatives.

Esclamado received his medical degree from the University of California-Davis in 1983 and then completed a residency in otolaryngology, head and neck surgery at the University of Washington Affiliated Hospitals in Seattle. He also served on the faculty of the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center.