Melissa A Pynnonen, MD, MSc

 Melissa Ann Pynnonen
Clinical Professor of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
Rhinology and Skull Base Surgery Division Chief
Medical School
Email:
[email protected]
Available to mentor
Melissa A Pynnonen, MD, MSc
Melissa Ann Pynnonen
Clinical Professor
  • Qualifications
  • Research Overview
  • Recent Publications

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    • Qualifications
    • MOD, Organization Development
      Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, United States
      2023 - 2025

    Research Overview

    Grounded in a background in organization development and informed by years of operational leadership in academic medicine, my research centers on the human side of health care organizations—recognizing that strong relationships, communication, and culture are not separate from, but essential to, achieving operational excellence and financial sustainability. Through my leadership roles, I came to understand that even the best-designed systems falter without trust, connection, and psychological safety.

    One area of focus is the value of teaching emotional intelligence skills—such as self-awareness, communication, and conflict management—to health care providers with the goal of strengthening team dynamics, supporting personal wellness and resilience, and ultimately improving the patient care experience.

    I am also engaged in ethnographic research exploring the experiences and impact of employee resource groups to better understand their role in fostering connection, mentorship, and professional growth among physicians.

    Recent Publications

     See All Publications
    • Additional Scholarship
      Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia (HHT) Research Outcomes Registry
      Sood S, Pynnonen M, Munn J, Zacharek M, Tigani Z, Sheth N. 2023 Jan 6;
    • Presentation
      Strengthening Communication, Connection, and Collaboration Part I and Part II
      Pynnonen M. 2026 May 7;
    • Journal Article
      Letter to the editor
      Iyer VN, Vethanayagam D, Al-Samkari H, Beslow LA, Chakinala M, Decker JE, Faughnan ME, Galiatsatos P, Gane S, Geisthoff U, Gossage JR, de Gussem E, Hammill AM, Kasthuri R, Rodriguez-Lopez J, McWilliams J, Mei-Zahav M, Muralidhar A, Pishko A, Olitsky SE, Pollak JS, Pynnonen MA, Semple MG, Sukumar S, Tobis J, Trerotola SO, Weiss CR, White AJ, Zhou J, Friday C, Clancy M. European Archives of Oto Rhino Laryngology, 2026 Jan 1; 283 (1): 599 - 601. DOI:10.1007/s00405-025-09795-x
      PMID: 41243020
    • Presentation
      Stillness in the Storm: Emotional Intelligence Under Pressure
      Pynnonen M. 2025 Jul 30;
    • Journal Article
      Nasal endoscopy score thresholds to trigger consideration of chronic rhinosinusitis treatment escalation and implications for disease control
      Sedaghat AR, Cotter RA, Alobid I, Alsaleh S, Anselmo-Lima WT, Bernal-Sprekelsen M, Chandra RK, Constantinidis J, Fokkens WJ, Franzese C, Gray ST, Halderman AA, Holbrook EH, Hopkins C, Hwang PH, Kuan EC, Landis BN, Lund VJ, McCoul ED, Niederberger-Leppin V, O’brien EK, Philpott CM, Pletcher SD, Pynnonen MA, Reitsma S, Rimmer J, Toppila-Salmi S, Wang EW, Wang MB, Wise SK, Woodworth BA, Yao WC, Phillips KM. Rhinology, 2025 Jan 1; 63 (1): 54 - 62. DOI:10.4193/Rhin24.291
      PMID: 39385734
    • Presentation
      Being an Ally: At micro and macro-level. How do you show up?
      2024 Jun 15;
    • Journal Article
      Determinants of physician assessment of chronic rhinosinusitis disease control using EPOS 2020 criteria and the importance of incorporating patient perspectives of disease control
      Sedaghat AR, Caradonna DS, Chandra RK, Franzese C, Gray ST, Halderman AA, Hopkins C, Kuan EC, Lee JT, McCoul ED, O'Brien EK, Pletcher SD, Pynnonen MA, Wang EW, Wise SK, Woodworth BA, Yao WC, Phillips KM. International Forum of Allergy and Rhinology, 2023 Nov 1; 13 (11): 2004 - 2017. DOI:10.1002/alr.23168
      PMID: 37042828
    • Presentation
      Allergic rhinitis: Shots vs. Surgery
      2024 Jun 15;