A Head & Neck Center of Excellence

The Head & Neck Center of Excellence at Saint John’s Cancer Institute, collaborating with Pacific Head & Neck of the Pacific Neuroscience Institute, is well supported by clinical experts and researchers working together to develop the most effective and patient-specific treatment plans. Through our multidisciplinary team approach, our goal is to provide individualized and compassionate care, applying innovative methods and best-practice models that demonstrate improved outcomes for patients with head and neck cancer.

“We prioritize quality of life and patient-centered decision making.”

Our Approach

Dr Evan Walgama discusses head and neck treatment with a patient
Dr. Evan Walgama conducts a head and neck consultation with a patient.
We are leaders in head and neck cancer care.

At Pacific Neuroscience Institute, we offer a comprehensive program for head and neck tumors, including HPV-related, sarcoma, sinus and skull base, eye, ENT, and facial nerve, skin, oral cavity, and throat.  We incorporate the many resources of Providence Saint John’s Cancer Institute for the benefit of patients with head and neck cancer, offering a personalized approach to cancer care with an emphasis on quality-of-life outcomes. Our team of experts are uniquely qualified to handle the most complex head and neck tumors. 

We specialize in minimally-invasive techniques and state-of-the-art reconstruction leveraging a unified, highly collaborative team approach. We utilize the innovative technologies including robotic and laser surgery, image-guided radiosurgery, intraoperative nerve monitoring, and virtual surgical planning.  Our team is also engaged in clinical trials at the institute including collaborating with specialists in the immunotherapy program for advanced tumors affecting the head and neck.

We built this program with one thing in mind – the needs of our patients. I believe we are giving patients and the community more reasons for hope.  

– Dr. Evan S. Walgama

Dr. Evan Walgama explains the care approach of the Head & Neck Cancer Center of Excellence at Saint John’s Cancer Institute.

Your Head and Neck Cancer Team

We are making a difference and we prove it every day.

As a multi-disciplinary team, we treat patients from the greater Los Angeles area and beyond, and look forward to providing you and your family additional information and support.

Dr. Evan Walgama, Otolaryngologist

Evan S. Walgama, MD

Otolaryngologist - Head and Neck Surgical Oncology
Dr Amit Kochhar, Otolaryngologist

Amit Kochhar, M.D.

Otolaryngologist - Head and Neck Reconstructive Surgery
Chester Griffiths M.D.

Chester F. Griffiths, M.D.

Otolaryngology - Endoscopic Skull-base
Lisa Chaiken M.D.

Lisa Chaiken, MD

Assistant Professor of Radiation Oncology
Robert Wollman, M.D.

Robert Wollman, MD

Assistant Professor of Radiation Oncology
Shanthi Gowrinathan, M.D.

Shanthi Gowrinathan, MD

Director of Psycho-Oncology and Cancer Support Services
The Pacific Neuroscience Institute was designated as North American Skull Base Society Multidisciplinary Team of Distinction for 2021
The Pacific Neuroscience Institute was designated as North American Skull Base Society Multidisciplinary Team of Distinction for 2021

Treatments & Services

Surgical Oncology*

  • Transoral robotic and laser surgery
  • Salivary gland surgery with facial nerve monitoring
  • Evaluation of suspicious lesions
  • Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy
  • Immunotherapy, Chemotherapy, and Targeted Agents.
  • * For a complete list of services, please visit pacificneuroscienceinstitute.org

Facial Plastics and Reconstruction

  • Microvascular Free Tissue Transfer (bone and soft tissue reconstruction)
  • Reanimation for Facial Paralysis
  • Aesthetic and Functional Reconstructive surgery

Rehabilitation and Psycho-oncology

  • Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) Services
  • Speech and Swallowing
  • Psychosocial support
  • Audiology

How to Schedule a Consultation

You can arrange a consultation or virtual visit with a head and neck specialist by visiting PNI.org.

Dr Griffith ENT Patient Examination

Click here to request a consultation online.

Pacific Neuroscience Institute
Pacific Neuroscience Institute – Santa Monica
2125 Arizona Ave,
Santa Monica, CA 90404
310-829-8701
1301 20th St, #300
Santa Monica, CA 90404
310-829-7792
Pacific Neuroscience Institute – South Bay
5215 Torrance Blvd, #300
Torrance, CA 90503
424-212-5361

Publications

Dr. Evan Walgama has published and co-authored many articles relating to Otolaryngology. See full list at NIH.gov

  1. Neck failure following pathologically node-negative neck dissection (pN0) in oral squamous cell carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis
    Chegini S, Schilling C, Walgama ES, Katherine MY, Thankappan K, Iyer S, Cariati P, Balasubramanian D, Kanatas A, Lai SY, McGurk M.
  2. The effect of prior radiation on the success of ventral skull base reconstruction: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
    Yong M, Wu YQ, Su S, Hanna E, Prisman E, Thamboo A, Walgama E.
  3. Papillary thyroid microcarcinoma: optimal management versus overtreatment.
    Walgama E, Sacks WL, Ho AS.
  4. Cost-effectiveness of fiberoptic laryngoscopy prior to total thyroidectomy for low-risk thyroid cancer patients.
    Walgama E, Randolph GW, Lewis C, Tolley N, Sacks W, Chen Y, Ho AS.
  5. Radioanatomic Study of the Greater Palatine Canal Relevant to Endoscopic Endonasal Surgical Landmarks.
    Ayoub N, Thamboo A, Hwang PH, Walgama ES.
  6. Surgical management of frontal sinus inverted papilloma: a systematic review.
    Walgama E, Ahn C, Batra PS.
Head and Neck Publications