UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Vinciya Pandian, associate dean for graduate education in the Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing, has been awarded a joint appointment with the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at Penn State College of Medicine. This appointment highlights her contributions to team science, as well as her commitment to advancing patient care and research in tracheostomy and airway management. This appointment reflects the ongoing joint research and educational endeavors between the two teams.
Pandian, an internationally recognized leader in tracheostomy care and airway management, has made significant advances in improving outcomes and quality of life for patients with airway disorders and those requiring mechanical ventilation. Her National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded R01 study on laryngeal injuries following extubation has expanded understanding in otolaryngology and significantly impacted the field.
Pandian’s current work, supported by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), focuses on leading the Center for Immersive Learning and Digital Innovation: A Patient Safety Learning Lab. This initiative uses state-of-the-art technology such as extended reality, robotics and artificial intelligence to tackle pressing healthcare challenges and improve patient safety.
Pandian’s dedication to global health is evident in her research collaborations across Nigeria, India, and Portugal, that address disparities in airway and respiratory health. Her leadership roles include vice president of the Global Tracheostomy Collaborative, immediate past president of the Society of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Nurses, and vice president of the Baltimore Chapter of the Society of Critical Care Medicine.
This joint appointment also reflects the visionary leadership of Dr. David Goldenberg, professor and chair of the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, who has consistently championed interdisciplinary collaboration and interprofessional education.