Early detection and treatment of ear, nose and throat diseases means that life can be experienced to the fullest. That is why the Pacific Otolaryngology Foundation (POF) is here to aid in the research of these disorders and to assist in educating with respect to causes, preventions and treatments.
Otolaryngology is a short form of Otorhinolaryngology; "Oto" relating to the ear, "Rhino" to the nose and "Larynx" to the throat.
Otolaryngologists diagnose and treat conditions such as ringing of the ears, dizziness, balance problems, sinus issues, voice disorders, hearing loss and cancers of the head and neck. These disorders are extremely common, and yet the huge impact they have on individuals, our community and the workplace often goes unnoticed.
Dr. Patrick Doyle and Dr. Quentin Jacks founded the POF in 1978. It was their dream that the University of British Columbia (UBC) participate in world class research focused on ear, nose and throat disorders. The POF supports the Doyle/Jacks Professorship in Otolaryngological Research and is working with UBC to establish another professorship in the not-to-distant future.
It was not uncommon to hear Dr.'s Doyle and Jacks ask an audience what Helen Keller would have said to the question "Which is worse, being blind or deaf?" Many are surprised by the answer, which is reproduced in the quote below:
"I am just as deaf as I am blind. The problems of deafness are deeper and more complex, if not more important, than those of blindness. Deafness is a much worse misfortune. For it means the loss of the most vital stimulus - the sound of the voice that brings language, sets thoughts astir, and keeps us in the intellectual company of man. " Helen Keller
To all ear, nose and throat professionals one of the most magnificent advancements came with the introduction of the Cochlear Implant, a very sophisticated device that allows those who are totally deaf to hear and distinguish sounds. For Helen Keller, that technology was not available. Through brilliant research and the dedication of many Otologists and Audiologists, the Cochlear Implant is now a very common solution to those who are profoundly deaf. The POF is proud to have been a significant part of the introduction and the Cochlear Implant to Canada as well as continued research that assisted in improving the hearing experience for implant recipients.
While the Cochlear Implant is an example of the dramatic improvements made through research, the current Doyle/Jacks Professor, Cathie Garnis, is investigating new methods to diagnose and treat serious cancers of the head and neck. Her lab focuses on genetics, e.g. DNA and RNA, and we hope this is only the beginning of much exciting research in the genetics of disorders of the ear, nose and throat. In 1978 the Cochlear Implant would have been thought of as science fiction and the dramatic results considered only wishful thinking; genetic research will give us the "science fiction" type cures of tomorrow, and that is likely to happen in the next decade!
Your donation is valuable to us. Every donation goes toward research that may change the life of someone like Helen Keller in a way that we can only dream about today.
Otolaryngology is a short form of Otorhinolaryngology; "Oto" relating to the ear, "Rhino" to the nose and "Larynx" to the throat.
Otolaryngologists diagnose and treat conditions such as ringing of the ears, dizziness, balance problems, sinus issues, voice disorders, hearing loss and cancers of the head and neck. These disorders are extremely common, and yet the huge impact they have on individuals, our community and the workplace often goes unnoticed.
Dr. Patrick Doyle and Dr. Quentin Jacks founded the POF in 1978. It was their dream that the University of British Columbia (UBC) participate in world class research focused on ear, nose and throat disorders. The POF supports the Doyle/Jacks Professorship in Otolaryngological Research and is working with UBC to establish another professorship in the not-to-distant future.
It was not uncommon to hear Dr.'s Doyle and Jacks ask an audience what Helen Keller would have said to the question "Which is worse, being blind or deaf?" Many are surprised by the answer, which is reproduced in the quote below:
"I am just as deaf as I am blind. The problems of deafness are deeper and more complex, if not more important, than those of blindness. Deafness is a much worse misfortune. For it means the loss of the most vital stimulus - the sound of the voice that brings language, sets thoughts astir, and keeps us in the intellectual company of man. " Helen Keller
To all ear, nose and throat professionals one of the most magnificent advancements came with the introduction of the Cochlear Implant, a very sophisticated device that allows those who are totally deaf to hear and distinguish sounds. For Helen Keller, that technology was not available. Through brilliant research and the dedication of many Otologists and Audiologists, the Cochlear Implant is now a very common solution to those who are profoundly deaf. The POF is proud to have been a significant part of the introduction and the Cochlear Implant to Canada as well as continued research that assisted in improving the hearing experience for implant recipients.
While the Cochlear Implant is an example of the dramatic improvements made through research, the current Doyle/Jacks Professor, Cathie Garnis, is investigating new methods to diagnose and treat serious cancers of the head and neck. Her lab focuses on genetics, e.g. DNA and RNA, and we hope this is only the beginning of much exciting research in the genetics of disorders of the ear, nose and throat. In 1978 the Cochlear Implant would have been thought of as science fiction and the dramatic results considered only wishful thinking; genetic research will give us the "science fiction" type cures of tomorrow, and that is likely to happen in the next decade!
Your donation is valuable to us. Every donation goes toward research that may change the life of someone like Helen Keller in a way that we can only dream about today.