Otitis media, or chronic middle ear infection, is one of the most common causes of childhood visits to the ENT department. Although antibiotics have been a conventional western treatment, the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria is now a serious and growing problem.

Research at Columbia Presbyterian is aimed at providing our young patients with the most effective, safe therapies.

In his work on otitis media, Dr. Haddad is particularly interested in the effects of antibiotics and the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Dr. Haddad's experience researching otitis media includes numerous research projects. A very few of these include:

* Study of Ciprofloxacin in the Treatment of Acute Otitis Media with Tympanostomy Tubes, 2000
* Study of Azithromycin in children undergoing Tympanocentesis, 2000
* Study of Augmentin in infants and children, 1998- 1999
* Study of Ofloxacin in children after tympanostomy, 1996 - 1997
* Resistant Pneumococcus in Otitis Media, 1995 - 1996
* Comparison study of Loracarbef versus Clarithromycin in Acute Otitis Media with Effusion, 1995 - 1996

DORIS DUKE CLINICAL FELLOWS

Over the past 4 years, the Department of Oto/HNS has been an active participant in the College of Physicians and Surgeons Doris Duke Clinical Research Fellowship Program. During this fellowship selected students take a year off from their formal schooling and experience clinical research first hand facilitating their future career pursuits in clinical research. The Program provides both didactic training in clinical research as well as collaborative research opportunities with faculty research mentors.

Under the mentorship of Dr. Joseph Haddad Jr., Tom Karnezis has just completed a one-year fellowship and Gillian Diercks is beginning her fellowship year. A previous fellow, Brian Reilly, is currently a resident in otolaryngology at Northwestern University. The research project examines the role of genetics in Honduran children and families with non-syndromic cleft lip and palate. Co-investigators in the research work are Dr. Gloria Su, Molecular Biologist in the Department of Oto/HNS; and Dr. Joseph Lee, Clinical Epidemiologist in the Sergievsky Center at Columbia.

The foundation of the Doris Duke Clinical Research Fellowship Program at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, which has a long tradition of clinical research and outstanding clinical investigators, integrates the considerable clinical research strengths of the institution with existing educational resources. Special meetings and other didactic programs specifically designed for this unique program ensure a comprehensive experience in clinical research training. The Program is pleased to recognize the generous support of the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, which is supplemented with additional support from the College of Physicians and Surgeons, the Mailman School of Public Health, as well as many departments and mentors at the Medical Center.