Dr. Mark A. Varvares appointed Chief of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery

July 12, 2021
Dr. Varvares

Mark A. Varvares, MD, FACS, has been appointed Chief of the Departments of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery (OHNS) at Mass Eye and Ear and Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and as Chair of OHNS at Harvard Medical School (HMS).

Dr. Varvares, a head and neck cancer surgeon and the John W. Merriam/William W. Montgomery Professor of OHNS at HMS, had been actively serving as interim Chief and Chair of the Departments since July 1, 2020.

He began his medical career at Mass Eye and Ear first as a resident, then as a clinical fellow, and finally as an attending where he developed an interest in head and neck reconstructive surgery and helped establish a head and neck free flap program at Mass Eye and ear. In 2003, Dr. Varvares moved home to St. Louis, accepting a position at Saint Louis University Medical Center where he served as Department Chair for 12 years.

Dr. Varvares returned to Mass Eye and Ear and MGH in 2015 as the Associate Chief of OHNS. During the last five years, he has helped to articulate and refine the department’s vision, facilitate programmatic growth, and provide educational and program oversight.

“We are delighted that Dr. Varvares has accepted this position,” said John Fernandez, President of Mass Eye and Ear. “He is a gifted academic surgeon who will put his superb leadership skills to work, ensuring that Mass Eye and Ear and the MGH remain world-leaders in research and patient care to help cure deafness, head and neck cancer, and other conditions that impede patients’ quality of life.”

Read the full press release announcing Dr. Varvares’ promotion.