Steven Thomas Kmucha, MD – Otolaryngologist

About Dr. Kmucha

Dr. Kmucha boasts of a well-rounded and diverse educational background with multiple degrees to show for it. He completed his BA, BS and MS prior to entering medical school, and even served as medical student teaching assistant (TA) while in graduate school.

During his time in medical school, Dr. Kmucha was awarded with numerous honors and was able to graduate 3 months early due to advanced work at the undergraduate level. He completed his otolaryngology residency in 1989 and served as chief resident in his final year. This was followed by a brief otology fellowship during which he volunteered as a surgeon on a medical mission to an impoverished Caribbean island.

Throughout his professional journey, Dr. Kmucha has been deeply involved with organized medicine at the community, county, state and national level and has served as a physician leader at many levels.

 

Professional Experience: 

• Attending Otolaryngologist, Seton Medical Center, Daly City, California
• Associate Otolaryngologist, St. Joseph’s Medical Center, Stockton, California
• Teaching Assistant, Section of Human Anatomy, Department of Physiology and Biophysics University of Illinois – Urbana
• Teaching Assistant, Section of Human Anatomy, Department of Anatomy and Physiology, University of Illinois – Chicago
• Assistant Resident, Department of Surgery; Section of General Surgery, Yale University School of Medicine
• Department of Surgery; Section of Otolaryngology ‑ Head and Neck Surgery, Resident, Yale University School of Medicine
• Chief Resident, Department of Surgery; Section of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Yale University School of Medicine
• Clinical Instructor, Department of Surgery, Yale University School of Medicine
• Assistant Director, Voice Physiology Laboratory, Yale University School of Medicine Visiting Otolaryngologist/ Loyola University Otology Fellow, Hospital of St. Jude, Vieux Fort, St. Lucia, W.I.
• Attending Otolaryngologist, Permanente Medical Group, Santa Clara, California
• Clinical Instructor – Voluntary Faculty, Department of Surgery, Section of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Stanford University School of Medicine and Hospitals
• Medical Director/ Chief Medical Officer, Preferred Benefits Insurance Administrators, San Mateo, California
• Consultant – California Ear Institute at Stanford/ Let Them Hear Foundation – Palo Alto, California
• Managing Partner, San Francisco-Peninsula Ear, Nose and Throat Associates
• He has served as committee chairman and member of many committees within the AAO-HNSF and have served on many committees and in many roles within the AAO-HNS BOG.

 

License and Certification:

• American Board of Otolaryngology ‑ Diplomate
• American Academy of Otolaryngology ‑ Head and Neck Surgery
• American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy

 

Publications:

• Yanagisawa, E., J. Estill, S.T. Kmucha and S.B. Leder: “The Contribution of Aryepiglottic Constriction to ‘Ringing’ Voice Quality ‑ A Videolaryngoscopic Study with Acoustic Analysis.” J Voice 3: 342‑350, 1989.
• Yanagisawa, E. and S.T. Kmucha. “Diseases of the External and Middle Ear.” in Textbook of Otolaryngology‑Head and Neck Surgery, J. Lee, ed. Elsevier, 1989.
• Yanagisawa, E., S.T. Kmucha and J. Estill: “The Role of the Soft Palate in Laryngeal Functions and Selected Voice Qualities ‑ A Simultaneous Velolaryngeal Videoendoscopic Study.” Annals Otol Rhinol Laryng 99: 18‑28, 1990.
• Kmucha, S.T., E. Yanagisawa and J. Estill. “Endolaryngeal Changes During High Intensity Phonation ‑ Videolaryngoscopic Observations.” J Voice 4: 346‑354, 1990.
• Troxel, J. and S.T. Kmucha. “Epithelial‑Myoepithelial Carcinoma of the Accessory Parotid‑Case Report and Clarification of the Role of the Myoepithelial Cell in Salivary Malignancies.” Trans. Pacific Coast Oto‑ophthal. Society, 1992.
• Kmucha, S.T. and J.A. Troxel. “Dermal Metastases in Epidermoid Carcinoma of the Head and Neck.” Arch Otolaryngol. 119: 326‑330, 1993.
• Kmucha, S.T. “Toxoplasmosis Appearing as an Anterior Neck Mass.” Letter to the Editor. ENT Journal 72:722, 1993.
• Kmucha, S.T. and R.B Cravens. “DISH Syndrome and Its Role in Dysphagia.” Otolaryngology ‑ Head and Neck Surgery. 110: 431‑436, 1994.
• Kmucha, S.T. and G. Harris. “Treating Middle Ear Infections.” A Patient Information Booklet. Krames Communications, San Bruno, California 1995.
• Kmucha, S.T. “Blunt Facial Trauma From A Bungee Jump.’’ Physician and Sportsmedicine. 24: 70‑73, 1996.
• Kmucha, S.T. “Ocular and Facial Impact Trauma and Bungee Jumping.” Trans. Pacific Coast Oto‑ophthal. Society, 1996.
• Kmucha, S.T. “Ear and Hearing Problems.” Chap 13, pp. 227-238. Healthwise for Life, 4^th, 2000.
• Kmucha, S.T. “Indoor Air Pollution Affects Health of Inhabitants.” Bulletin – San Mateo County Medical Association, December 2000.
  

• Kmucha, S. T. “Chest and Respiratory Problems.” Chap7, pp. 141-170; Healthwise Handbook, 15^th, 2001
• Kmucha, S. T. “Eye and Ear Problems.” Chap 8, pp. 171-186; Healthwise Handbook, 15^th, 2001.
• Kmucha, S. T. “Indoor Air Pollution and Health.” ENTLink, AAOHNS Website, October 2001.
• Kmucha, S. T. “Your Nose-The Guardian of Your Lungs.” ENTLink, AAOHNS Website, May 2002.
• Kmucha, S. T. “Perennial Non-Allergic Rhinitis.” ENTLink, AAOHNS Website, September 2002.
• Kmucha, S. T. “The LINK: The Allergy-Asthma Connection.” AAOHNS Website, September 2002.
• Kmucha, S.T. “Chest and Respiratory Problems.” Healthwise Handbook, 16^th, 2003.
• Kmucha, S.T. “Nasal Surgery” Healthwise Handbook, 17^th ed, 2004.
• Kmucha, S. T. “Suffering from Dizziness and Poor Balance.” Seton Health, Spring 2006.
• Kmucha, S.T. “Is There A Misperception of the Risks of Tonsillectomy?” San Mateo County Physician, February 2014
• Kmucha, S. T. “Hospital and Surgical Error and Otolaryngology” AAO-HNS BOG eNewsletter, February 10, 2015.
• Kmucha, S.T. “Meniere’s Disease”- Krames Staywell Publications, March 2015.
• Kmucha, S.T. “Nasal Allergies” – Krames Staywell Publications, October 2016.
• Kmucha, S.T. “Living Well With Allergies – A Fast Guide” – Krames Staywell Publications, October 2016.
• Kmucha, S.T. “Treating Problem Sinuses” – Krames Staywell Publications, October 2016.
• Kmucha, S.T. “Managing Dizziness” – Krames Staywell Publications, December 2016.
• Kmucha, S.T. “Snoring and Sleep Apnea” – Krames Staywell Publications, December 2016.

 

Presentations and Lectures:

• “The Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea” Department of Surgery Grand Rounds Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 5/24/86
• “Videoendoscopic Diagnosis of Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Its Treatment.’’ Connecticut State Medical Society, New Haven, Connecticut 9/26/86
• “Submandibular Gland Tumors Arising After Irradiation for Benign Disorders of the Head and Neck.” New England Otolaryngological Society, Boston, Massachusetts 12/05/86
• “The Anatomy of the Head and Neck.’’ “The Care and Management of the ENT Patient.’’ Yale School of Nursing, New Haven, Connecticut 3/25/87
• “ENT Problems in the ER” “Diagnosis and Treatment of Maxillary and Mandibular Fractures.’’ Section of Trauma Surgery, Department of Surgery, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 7/24/87
• “Tumors of the Minor Salivary Glands.” Section of Otolaryngology Grand Rounds, Department of Surgery, West Haven VA Medical Center, West Haven, Connecticut 2/27/88
• “Fiberscopic Videonasopharyngolaryngoscopy A Comparison of Fiberscopic, Telescopic and Microscopic Documentation” American Laryngological Association, Palm Beach, Florida 4/23/88
• “The Contribution of Aryepiglottic Constriction to ‘Ringing, Voice Quality.’’ 17th Symposium of the Voice Foundation¬, Care of the Professional Voice, NY, NY 6/09/88
• “Gastric Pull up and Primary Tracheoesophageal Puncture for Rehabilitation after Total Laryngopharyngoesophagectomy” Department of Surgery Grand Rounds West Haven VA Medical Center, West Haven, Connecticut 12/09/88
• “Diagnosis and Treatment of Metastatic Cervical Adenopathy from an Unknown Primary.’’ Department of Surgery Grand Rounds West Haven VA Medical Center, West Haven, Connecticut 1/25/89
• “Head and Neck Malignancies in the Pediatric Age Group.’’ Section of Otolaryngology Grand Rounds, Department of Surgery West Haven VA Medical Center, West Haven, Connecticut 2/29/89
• “Diagnosis of Pediatric Neck Masses’’ “Maxillofacial Trauma’’ Yale Physician Assistant Program, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 5/17/89
• “Endolaryngeal Changes During High Intensity Phonation Videolaryngoscopic Observations” 18th Symposium of the Voice Foundation¬, Care of the Professional Voice Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 6/08/89
• “The Contribution of Aryepiglottic Constriction to ‘Ringing’ Voice Quality Videolaryngoscopy with Acoustic Analysis” XIV World Congress of Otorhinolaryngology, IV World Congress of Otorhinolaryngological Cinematography and Videography Category of Educational Films   Silver Medal, Madrid, Spain 9/10/89
• “The Contribution of Aryepiglottic Constriction to ‘Ringing’ Voice Quality.’’ American College of Surgeons Permanent Archives Award, Atlanta, Georgia 10/18/89
• “Otitis, Adenoiditis and Tonsillitis What Do We Do?’’ Department of Nursing, Kaiser Foundation Hospital, Santa Clara, California 1/12/90
• “The Ear Its Embryology, Anatomy, Function and Pathology.” Department of Medicine, Kaiser Foundation Hospital, Santa Clara, California 1/16/90
• “Dermal Metastases in Epidermoid Carcinoma of the Head and Neck.’’ Pacific Coast Oto ophthalmological Society, Vancouver, British Columbia 6/21/90
• “Hearing, Hearing Loss and Rehabilitation.” Senior Circle Seton Medical Center, Daly City, California 1/16/91
• “DISH and Its Role in Dysphagia.” Western Section Triologic Society, Santa Barbara, California 1/20/91
• “Medical and Surgical Treatment of Sinusitis in Children Department of Pediatrics Seton Medical Center, Daly City, California 4/24/91
• “Vocal Physiology’’ Department of Music City College of San Francisco, San Francisco, California 5/14/91
• “Epithelial Myoepithelial Carcinoma of the Accessory Parotid: Case Report and Discussion of the Role of the Myoepithelial Cell in Salivary Tumors.’’ Pacific Coast Oto ophthalmological Society, Monterey, California 6/18/91
• “Pediatric Sinusitis: Diagnosis and Treatment’’ Department Of Family Practice Seton Medical Center, Daly City, California 10/04/91
• “The Central Giant Cell Granuloma in Children’’ Pacific Coast Oto ophthalmological Society, Waikoloa, Hawaii 6/24/92
• “Treatment of Allergies from the ENT Perspective’’ Open Forum Seton Medical Center, Daly City, California 10/13/92
• “The Roles of Allergies and Sinus Disease in Chronic Lung Disease” Department of Pulmonary Medicine Seton Medical Center, Daly City, California 5/11/93
• “Catch That Running Nose The Treatments of Rhinorrhea” Nurse Practitioners Association of San Francisco and San Mateo Counties. 2/21/96
• “Anterior Communicating Artery Aneurysm Causing Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss’’ Seton Medical Center Section of Otolaryngology Grand Rounds, Daly City, California 2/29/96
• “Rhinorrhea and the Common Cold” Medical Staff Grand Rounds, Davies Medical Center, San Francisco, California 3/22/96
• “Facial Impact Trauma During Bungee Jumping’’ Pacific Coast Oto ophthalmological Society, Seattle, Washington 6/28/96
• “Perennial Rhinitis and Its Treatment’’ Medical Staff Grand Rounds, Washington Community Hospital, Fremont, California 12/13/96

 

Memberships: 

• San Joaquin County Medical Society
• American Society for Healthcare Risk Management
• American Board of Quality Assurance and Utilization Review Physicians
• American Society of Law, Medicine and Ethics
• American Health Law Association
• Vestibular Disorders Association
• American Tinnitus Association
• American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy
• American College of Surgeons
• California Medical Association
• American Academy of Otolaryngology
• American Medical Association

 

Education:

• A. Germanic Language and Literature, University of Illinois – Urbana 1979
• S. Biologic Chemistry, University of Illinois – Urbana 1980
• S. Physiology and Biophysics, University of Illinois – Urbana 1980
• Doctor of Medicine, University of Illinois – Chicago, School of Medicine 1984
• Masters of Medical Management, American College of Physician Executives 2002
• JD – Health and Healthcare Law (concentration), Concord Law School 2009

 

If you wish to know more about Dr. Kmucha’s, tune into his podcast: www.EngagingThePatient.com “Putting Patient Safety into Practice”;

or visit his blog: www.neilmed.com