Amal Isaiah, MD, PhD, MBA
Dr. Amal Isaiah is widely recognized for his work in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery, as well as complex pediatric otolaryngology
Amal Isaiah, MD, PhD, MBA, has joined the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix as the inaugural chair for the Department of Otolaryngology.
“Dr. Isaiah’s technology-focused research on the development of optical neuroimaging paradigms in children using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), deep learning applications for medical device development and artificial intelligence for clinical phenotyping is at the forefront of innovation and discovery,” said Dean Fred Wondisford, MD, MS, MBA. “We look forward to how his work will build this new department, as well as for how it will shape the future of Arizona as a premier biomedical engine in the U.S.”
That research, which is supported by NIH R01 funding, has has yielded 100 peer-reviewed publications, seven book chapters and five patents spanning AI-based imaging applications.
Previously, Dr. Isaiah served as a professor of Otorhinolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore, MD. He also served as the division chief of Pediatric Otolaryngology and the innovation lead at the University of Maryland Institute for Health Computing in Bethesda, MD.
He is the editor of Snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Children; the recipient of the Harris P. Mosher Award from the Triological Society, among the most prestigious recognitions in academic otolaryngology; and has been recognized repeatedly with the University of Maryland School of Medicine Mentor Award for Transformative Impact on medical students. In addition, Dr. Isaiah serves as a deputy editor at JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery and is co-founder of TonoScan Inc., a medical technology company focused on AI-based applications.
Originally from Kerala, India, Dr. Isaiah completed his medical training at St. John’s Medical College in Bangalore, India, and earned a doctor of philosophy degree in Neuroscience from the University of Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar. He subsequently completed residency training in Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Maryland and fellowship training in Pediatric Otolaryngology at UT Southwestern Medical Center and Children’s Medical Center in Dallas.
“Dr. Isaiah is a wonderful choice as our inaugural chair of Otolaryngology,” said Dan Post, chief executive officer of Banner – University Medical Center Phoenix. “We look forward to his clinical, academic and programmatic leadership as we build upon the nationally ranked program here. The expansion of our program with additional faculty and subspecialists, as well as initiating a GME program to train future surgeons will positively impact our hospital, Banner Health and the state of Arizona.”
Dr. Isaiah is board-certified in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and Complex Pediatric Otolaryngology, and is widely recognized for his expertise in sleep-disordered breathing. He holds an MBA from the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland, and was named among Poets & Quants’Best and Brightest, a highly selective global recognition drawing from the world’s highest-ranked programs.
He assumed his new role on July 20.
July 21, 2026 | By Thomas Kelly | Original Article
About the College
Founded in 2007, the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix inspires and trains exemplary physicians, scientists and leaders to advance its core missions in education, research, clinical care and service to communities across Arizona. The college’s strength lies in our collaborations and partnerships with clinical affiliates, community organizations and industry sponsors. With our primary affiliate, Banner Health, we are recognized as the premier academic medical center in Phoenix. As an anchor institution of the Phoenix Bioscience Core, the college is home to signature research programs in neurosciences, cardiopulmonary diseases, immunology, informatics and metabolism. These focus areas uniquely position us to drive biomedical research and bolster economic development in the region.
As an urban institution with strong roots in rural and tribal health, the college has graduated more than 1,000 physicians and matriculates 130 students each year. Greater than 60% of matriculating students are from Arizona and many continue training at our GME sponsored residency programs, ultimately pursuing local academic and community-based opportunities. While our traditional four-year program continues to thrive, we will launch our recently approved accelerated three-year medical student curriculum with exclusive focus on primary care. This program is designed to further enhance workforce retention needs across Arizona.
The college has embarked on our strategic plan for 2025 to 2030. Learn more.