06/13/2026
WE ARE SO THRILLED TO ANNOUNCE OUR JUNE SPOTLIGHT THAT WE DECIDED TO DO IT EARLY! 🎉👏
This month, SOHN is proud to spotlight one of our distinguished nurse leaders, Dr. Vinciya Pandian, on her appointment as Dean of the College of Nursing at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, effective July 1, 2026. Dr. Pandian's impact on otolaryngology nursing, patient care, research, and leadership extends far beyond any single role. Within SOHN, she has been a dedicated leader, mentor, and advocate for our specialty. She has served as President of SOHN and the ENT Nursing Foundation (ENT-NF) and currently serves as Editor-in-Chief of the ORL Head and Neck Nursing Journal. Through each of these roles, she has helped shape the future of otolaryngology-head and neck nursing while mentoring countless nurses and advanced practice providers throughout our specialty. An acute care nurse practitioner and internationally recognized scholar, Dr. Pandian has devoted her career to improving outcomes and quality of life for patients with tracheostomies and complex airway needs. Her research has advanced the care of mechanically ventilated patients, patient safety initiatives, interdisciplinary collaboration, and health equity. She has authored more than 150 scientific publications and presented her work around the world. Dr. Pandian's influence also extends globally. As leadership and past President of the Global Tracheostomy Collaborative, she has championed multidisciplinary approaches to airway care and fostered partnerships that have improved patient outcomes across healthcare systems worldwide.
Her appointment as Dean reflects a career defined by innovation, service, scholarship, and leadership. Those who have worked alongside Dr. Pandian know her not only for her impressive accomplishments, but also for her generosity as a mentor, her collaborative spirit, and her unwavering commitment to developing future nurse leaders. Please join SOHN in congratulating Dr. Vinciya Pandian on this remarkable achievement. We are grateful for her many contributions to our profession and look forward to the continued impact of her leadership in nursing education, research, and patient care.