For Rehab Talat, MD, joining the Department of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery at Indiana University School of Medicine marks both a new chapter and an opportunity to practice at the intersection of two closely connected fields: sleep surgery and sleep medicine.
Talat completed her residency training at the University of Cincinnati and went on to practice as a general otolaryngologist.
“I have an engineering background and was immediately attracted to the signal transduction that occurs in the physiology of the ear and the larynx — that was kind of my ‘in’,” Talat said. “From a clinical standpoint, I really enjoyed the comprehensive care that an ENT specialist can offer, and that solidified the specialty choice for me. While I was seeing a wide variety of patients, I developed a special interest in sleep surgery and sleep medicine and went on to pursue a hybrid sleep fellowship at Henry Ford Hospital."
Why IU?
As Assistant Professor of Clinical Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, Talat will focus primarily on Sleep Surgery, a growing field within otolaryngology.
“The department leadership has a clear vision for developing subspecialty services, and I was struck by their strong commitment to mentorship,” said Talat.
She will also spend part of her clinical time in sleep medicine, allowing her to care for patients with a wide range of sleep disorders.
“I was drawn to the potential for strong interdisciplinary collaboration at IU, having a special interest in both sleep surgery and sleep medicine,” Talat said. “Being in an institution that has two very strong subspecialties was a big draw for me.”
The Department of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery has a robust subspecialty representation that Talat wanted to be part of.
“IU has been innovative in the sleep surgery field, being the first to implant the bilateral hypoglossal nerve stimulator in the state of Indiana," she said. “Our goal is that patients see us not just for the best care, but for the most advanced, innovative care as well.”
Expanding the options for patients
Sleep surgery is a specialized surgical field focused on treating patients with sleep-disordered breathing, including snoring and various degrees of obstructive sleep apnea. For the patient, finding the right treatment begins with determining where the airway is obstructed. This can vary significantly from one person to another.
“Airway obstruction during sleep can occur at multiple levels, such as the nose, the soft palate, the tongue base, and the sidewalls of the throat,” Talat said. “A sleep surgeon will tailor their interventions based on each patient’s specific airway anatomy.”
That individualized approach has become increasingly important as the range of treatments available to patients has expanded. Sleep surgery has moved beyond traditional procedures that largely focused on removing tissue. Today, surgical options can include hypoglossal nerve stimulation, expansion pharyngoplasty, septoplasty and tonsillectomy, depending on a patient’s anatomy and needs.
Advances in technology are providing patients with more options as well, such as the newer bilateral hypoglossal nerve stimulator implant.
“New devices and the iterations can really help people choose what’s most specific to their needs,” said Talat.
Treating sleep beyond the airway
Talat will also spend a portion of her clinical time in sleep medicine, caring for patients with a broader range of sleep disorders including insomnia, excessive daytime sleepiness, sleep movement disorders and sleep behavior disorders. Her training in both sleep surgery and sleep medicine gives her a broader view of factors that can affect how well patients sleep.
“Being at an academic medical center like IU Health where there is cross-specialty collaboration allows us to tackle complex cases with a truly comprehensive approach,” Talat said.
Teaching the next generation
At IU School of Medicine, Talat will also teach residents and fellows, something she sees as beneficial to both the learner and the physician.
“Learners keep you on your toes,” said Talat. “They are looking at things with fresh eyes, and they ask you questions. It really makes you reflect more deeply. I think it makes for better patient care.”
“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Talat as Indiana’s first fellowship-trained sleep surgeon,” said Jonathan Ting, MD, MS, MBA, chair of the Department of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery. “Her expertise strengthens the innovative sleep surgery program established by Dr. Noah Parker, secretary of the International Surgical Sleep Society, and expands the range of treatment options available to our patients.”
