Announcement: Dr. Sumit Agrawal appointed Chair/Chief/Department Head, Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery
Dr. Sumit Agrawal
We are pleased to announce that after a competitive process, Dr. Sumit Agrawal has been appointed to the Department of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery in the following roles:
- Chair(Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University);
- Chief(St. Joseph’s Health Care London); and
- Department Head (London Health Sciences Centre);
The positions are effective March 1, 2025 to February 28, 2030.
As an internationally renowned neuro-otologist, Dr. Agrawal joined Western in 2008 after completing his fellowship in Neurotology and Skull Base Surgery at Stanford University.
Dr. Agrawal is a surgical innovator, developing the minimally invasive middle fossa implant technique and performing the first BONEBRIDGE implant in North America. Together with his division partners, Drs. Lorne Parnes and Demir Bajin, the Otology team has achieved many significant accomplishments, including the first BCI 602 implant in Canada, the first paediatric robotic cochlear implant in North America, and the first paediatric auditory brainstem implant in Canada.
Dr. Agrawal is a Professor, Surgeon-Scientist, and the inaugural Research Chair in Neurotology and Translational Hearing Innovation. Along with Dr. Hanif Ladak, he is the co-director of the Auditory Biophysics Laboratory (ABL), which has gained international recognition for pioneering work in synchrotron imaging, artificial intelligence and patient-specific cochlear implant programming.
Dr. Agrawal’s research was recently showcased at an exhibit at the Josephinum Museum in Vienna and highlighted as a major advancement in the field of cochlear implantation.
In recognition of his team’s research accomplishments, global hearing implant company MED-EL recently made a generous $8.5 million donation to Western University, helping to establish the largest endowed research chair at Schulich.
Dr. Agrawal is passionate about mentorship and uniting individuals from diverse backgrounds to create successful, collaborative teams. He is committed to supporting clinical and academic operations, ensuring optimal functionality and continued departmental growth.
Please join us in congratulating Dr. Agrawal on his appointment.
John Yoo, MD, FRCS(C), FACS
Dean, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry
Western University
Adam Dukelow, MD, FRCPC, MHSc, CHE
Integrated Vice President, Medical & Academic Affairs
London Health Sciences Centre & St. Joseph’s Health Care London
