SIU Medicine specialist shapes new sinus surgery standards
SIU physician Dana Crosby, MD, MPH, has helped to craft new clinical guidelines for treating patients with chronic rhinosinusitis, a condition affecting an estimated 1 in 10 Americans.
Crosby was a contributing author of the guide published in Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery by the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Foundation. The standardized instructions are the result of an extensive evidence-based review process involving leading U.S. otolaryngology (ENT) specialists.
The journal’s guidelines model best practices for the surgical care of adults with long-term rhinosinusitis, an inflammation of the nasal passages and sinuses. The condition can significantly impact a person’s quality of life and lead to complications such as nasal polyps, chronic bacterial infections and respiratory problems.
Crosby focused on aligning surgical practices with patient-centered outcomes, ensuring that recommendations reflect both clinical rigor and real-world needs—especially for patients who live in rural or underserved regions, one of SIU School of Medicine’s key demographics.
Crosby is professor and chair of the Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery at SIU Medicine. Her work reflects SIU Medicine’s mission to optimize health through education, patient care, research and service—especially in communities that often face barriers to specialty care.
“It's wonderful to have such a leader in the field of rhinology and skull base surgery as a partner and mentor here at SIU Medicine,” says colleague Dr. Kody Bolk. “She was integral in establishing these national guidelines that shape how all otolaryngologists view and treat chronic rhinosinusitis. It serves as a roadmap from the experts, and Dr. Crosby is one of the best. Having such a knowledgeable, kind leader in sinus surgery at SIU is vital to the care we can provide to our community.”
By contributing to this national standard of care, Dr. Crosby not only strengthens the impact of SIU Medicine’s academic mission, but also ensures patients in the region benefit from the latest advancements in sinus care, without having to leave their communities.
