Andrew Birkeland

Dr. Birkeland aims to be an advocate and ally for each of his patients. He understands the many factors that go into treating diseases of the head and neck, and the importance of input and decision-making from his patients. He ensures that his patients are offered the most appropriate and up-to-date care, tailored to the needs of each patient. Dr. Birkeland focuses on building strong and collaborative relationships with each of his patients.

Clinical Interests

Dr. Birkeland focuses on providing care for all benign and malignant head and neck tumors. He treats skin cancers, mucosal cancers in the head and neck, endocrine tumors, salivary gland disease, and skull base tumors. Dr. Birkeland has specialized training and particular interest in microvascular reconstructive surgery and transoral robotic surgery.

Research/Academic Interests

Dr. Birkeland’s research focus is translating novel clinical and basic research findings directly to patient care. To this end, he utilizes next generation sequencing, immune profiling, biomarker identification, and animal models to understand the causes of and treatments for head and neck cancers. His overarching aim is to advance precision medicine: providing personalized, optimized treatments for each head and neck cancer patient.

Division

• Head and Neck Surgery

Education

Undergraduate School

• B.A., UC Berkeley, Berkeley CA 2005

Medical School

• M.D., Weill Cornell Medical College, New York NY 2012

Internship

• Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor MI 2012-2013

Residency

• Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor MI 2013-2018

Fellowship

• Clinical Research, Columbia University/Doris Duke, New York NY 2010-2011
• Head and Neck Surgery/Microvascular, Stanford University, Stanford CA 2018-2019
• Translational Research, University of Michigan/NIH, Ann Arbor MI 2014-2016

Honors

• Faculty Teaching Award, UC Davis, 2021
• Fellow Teacher of the Year, Stanford University, 2019
• Merle Lawrence, Ph.D. Research Award, University of Michigan, 2015, 2016, 2018
• John L. Kemink, M.D., Clinical Research Award, University of Michigan, 2017
• Arthur Palmer Prize for Efficiency in Otorhinolaryngology, Weill Cornell Medical College, 2012
• Dean William Mecklenburg Polk Memorial Prize in Research, Weill Cornell Medical College, 2012
• Alpha Omega Alpha Carolyn L. Kuckein Research Fellowship, Weill Cornell Medical College, 2011