Brian Cervenka, MD
Assistant Professor, Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
Medical School
- MD, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California (2013)
Undergraduate School
- BA, University of San Diego (CA) (2008)
Residency
- University of California (Davis) Health System Program, Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery (2018)
Fellowships
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center Program, Head & Neck Surgery (2019)
Languages
EnglishDepartment
Otolaryngology - Head and Neck SurgeryProfessional Titles
- Assistant Professor
Recognitions
- AAO-HNSF Humanitarian Grant Recipient, AAO-HNSF (2019)
- UC Davis Otolaryngology Research Day Award, UC Davis (2018)
- UC Davis Excellence in ENT Dentistry Award, UC Davis (2018)
-
UC Davis Gordon McCoy Scholarship Recipient, UC Davis
(2017)
For the Uganda Cancer Institute Head and Neck Oncology trip October 21st-October 28th 2017. UC Davis Department of Otolaryngology Clinical Teamwork Award
Publications
- Walters ZA, Chang KY, Cervenka B, Collar R, Hsieh TY. Ergonomics in Otolaryngologic Surgery: A State of the Art Review. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2022 Aug 9;:1945998221117095. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 35943813
- McCann A, Chang K, Gengler I, Cervenka B, Nellis JC, Hsieh TY. Assessment of Virtual AAFPRS Fellowship Interviews During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Pandemic Response or the Wave of the Future?. Facial Plast Surg Aesthet Med. 2022 Sep-Oct;24(5):410-412. PubMed PMID: 35727091
- Howell RJ, Ekbom D, Kasperbauer J, Tabangin M, Altaye M, Wahab S, Belafsky P, Allen J, Amin M, Bayan S, Cervenka B, deSilva B, Dion G, Friedman A, Fritz M, Giliberto JP, Guardiani E, Harmon J, Khosla S, Kim B, Kuhn M, Kwak P, Ma Y, Madden L, Matrka L, Mayerhoff R, Piraka C, Rosen C, Wilson K, Wright C, Young V, Yuen S, Postma G. Cricopharyngeus Muscle Dysfunction and Hypopharyngeal Diverticula (e.g., Zenker): A Multicenter Study. Laryngoscope. 2022 Sep 14. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 36102298
- Howell R, Tang A, Allen J, Altaye M, Amin M, Bayan S, Belafsky P, Cervenka B, deSilva B, Dion G, Ekbom D, Friedman A, Fritz M, Giliberto JP, Guardiani E, Harmon J, Kasperbauer JL, Khosla S, Kim B, Kuhn M, Kwak P, Ma Y, Madden L, Matrka L, Mayerhoff R, Piraka C, Rosen C, Tabangin ME, Wahab SA, Wilson K, Wright SC, Young V, Yuen S, Postma GN. Killian Jamieson Diverticulum, the Great Mimicker: A Case Series and Contemporary Review. Laryngoscope. 2022 Dec 1. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 36453465
- Ravi P, Burch MB, Farahani S, Chepelev LL, Yang D, Ali A, Joyce JR, Lawera N, Stringer J, Morris JM, Ballard DH, Wang KC, Mahoney MC, Kondor S, Rybicki FJ. Utility and Costs During the Initial Year of 3D Printing in an Academic Hospital. J Am Coll Radiol. 2023 Feb;20(2):193-204. PubMed PMID: 35988585
- 2. Rebecca Howell MD, Christopher Johnson MD, Jacqui Allen MD, Mekibib Altaye PhD, Milan Amin MD, Semirra Bayan MD, Peter Belafsky MD, Brian Cervenka MD, Brad Desilva MD, Gregory R. Dion MD, Dale Ekbom MD, Aaron Friedman MD, Mark Fritz MD, John Paul Giliberto MD, Elizabeth Guardiani MD, Jan Kasperbauer MD, Brandon Kim MD, Brittany N. Krekeler PhD, Maggie Kuhn MD, Paul Kwak MD, Yue Ma MD, Lyndsay L. Madden DO, Laura Matrka MD, Ross Mayerhoff MD, Mallory McKeon MD, Cyrus Piraka MD, Clark A. Rosen MD, Meredith Tabangin MPH, Shaun A. Wahab MD, Keith Wilson MD, Carter Wright MD, VyVy N. Young MD, Gregory Postma MD. Surgical Outcomes in Zenker Diverticula: A Multicenter, Prospective, Longitudinal Study. Published Online. Laryngoscope. 2023 May 16 https://doi.org/10.1002/lary.30753
- Leddon JL, Gulati S, Haque S, Allen C, Palackdharry S, Mathews M, Kurtzweil N, Riaz MK, Takiar V, Nagasaka M, Patil Y, Zender C, Tang A, Cervenka B, McGrath J, Korn WM, Hinrichs BH, Jandarov R, Harun N, Sukari A, Wise-Draper TM. Phase II Trial of Adjuvant Nivolumab Following Salvage Resection in Patients with Recurrent Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck. Clin Cancer Res. 2022 Aug 15;28(16):3464-3472. PubMed PMID: 35653116
- Corbisiero MF, Wershoven N, Clary M, Cervenka B. Traumatic Vocal Fold Paralysis from Fishbone Foreign Body: Diagnosis and Management. Laryngoscope. 2024 Jul 10. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 38984434
- Howell R, Johnson C, Allen J, Altaye M, Amin M, Bayan S, Belafsky P, Cervenka B, Desilva B, Dion GR, Ekbom D, Friedman A, Fritz M, Giliberto JP, Guardiani E, Kasperbauer J, Kim B, Krekeler BN, Kuhn M, Kwak P, Ma Y, Madden LL, Matrka L, Mayerhoff R, McKeon M, Piraka C, Rosen CA, Tabangin M, Wahab SA, Wilson K, Wright C, Young VN, Postma G. Surgical Outcomes in Zenker Diverticula: A Multicenter, Prospective, Longitudinal Study. Laryngoscope. 2024 Jan;134(1):97-102. PubMed PMID: 37191092
Professional Memberships
- American Head and Neck Society, Member
- American Medical Association, Member
- American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Member
- Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society, Member
- AO Craniomaxillofacial Surgery, E-Member
Practice Locations
UCHealth Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic - Anschutz Medical Campus1635 Aurora Ct
6th floor
Aurora, CO 80045
720-848-2820
UCHealth Thyroid Cancer Multidisciplinary Clinic - Anschutz Medical Campus
1635 Aurora Court
Anschutz Outpatient Pavilion, 6th floor
Aurora, CO 80045
720-848-3299
Hospital Affiliation
- University of Colorado Hospital
- Children's Hospital Colorado
- Denver Health Medical Center
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Specialty Information
Specialties- Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, Board Certification
- BLS, Certificate (2021)
- American Board ot Otolaryngology, Board Certification (2019)
- Colorado Medical, License (2021)
- DEA, License (2021)
- Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT)
- Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) - Airway masses
- Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) - Ear, nose and throat masses
- Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) - Head and Neck Tumors
- Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) - Hypopharyngeal cancer
- Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) - Laryngeal cancer
- Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) - Nasopharyngeal cancer
- Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) - Oral and oropharyngeal cancer
- Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) - Salivary Gland Diseases/Stones
- Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) - Sinus Tumors
- Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) - Skull Base Tumors
- Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) - Skin cancer
- Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) - Tumors of neck
- Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) - Tumors of nose
- Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) - Tumors of the orbit
- Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) - Tumors of throat
- Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) - Zenker’s diverticulum
Clinical Interests
Treatment or oral cavity, pharyngeal and larynx cancers Complex reconstructions in the head and neck requiring local and free flap reconstruction Treatment of nasal cavity and skull base cancers Treatment of thyroid cancer Airway reconstruction
Care Philosophy
I chose to specialize in head and neck oncology and microvascular surgery because of the opportunity to develop strong relationships with patients and families as they navigate through the treatment process. Being able to follow an individual closely for five years or more is one of the most fulfilling aspects of my career and is what drew me to this field. In addition, I strive to utilize techniques to minimize patient side effects from cancer treatment. By using minimally invasive techniques such as robotic surgery, patients can be spared from major surgeries with greater recovery time and postoperative functional deficits. These surgeries can allow our medical and radiation colleagues to limit the need for radiation and chemotherapy. Our microvascular reconstructions allow patients to achieve highly functional outcomes not possible without free tissue transfer. I also strongly believe in a multidisciplinary team approach to patient care. At the University of Colorado Cancer Center, there is a wonderful group of surgical oncologists, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, speech therapists and navigators that work together to ensure every patient has a comprehensive cancer care experience.
Treatment or oral cavity, pharyngeal and larynx cancers Complex reconstructions in the head and neck requiring local and free flap reconstruction Treatment of nasal cavity and skull base cancers Treatment of thyroid cancer Airway reconstruction
Care Philosophy
I chose to specialize in head and neck oncology and microvascular surgery because of the opportunity to develop strong relationships with patients and families as they navigate through the treatment process. Being able to follow an individual closely for five years or more is one of the most fulfilling aspects of my career and is what drew me to this field. In addition, I strive to utilize techniques to minimize patient side effects from cancer treatment. By using minimally invasive techniques such as robotic surgery, patients can be spared from major surgeries with greater recovery time and postoperative functional deficits. These surgeries can allow our medical and radiation colleagues to limit the need for radiation and chemotherapy. Our microvascular reconstructions allow patients to achieve highly functional outcomes not possible without free tissue transfer. I also strongly believe in a multidisciplinary team approach to patient care. At the University of Colorado Cancer Center, there is a wonderful group of surgical oncologists, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, speech therapists and navigators that work together to ensure every patient has a comprehensive cancer care experience.
Personal Interests
I enjoy distance running, skiing, and generally being outdoors. Most importantly, spending time and watching my two children grow up.
Volunteer Activities
Most of my volunteer time has been spent in Mbarara, Uganda. My wife and I spent 9 months in Uganda in 2009 assisting with the opening of the Holy Innocents Children’s Hospital. I have since returned multiple times to Kampala, Uganda working with the Uganda Cancer Institute performing head and neck oncology and microvascular surgery with an emphasis on resident education. We work with residents from Uganda, Kenya, Congo and Malawi. I have also spent time working with the Kijabe residency in Kenya performing mandibular reconstruction for patients with ameloblastoma.
I enjoy distance running, skiing, and generally being outdoors. Most importantly, spending time and watching my two children grow up.
Volunteer Activities
Most of my volunteer time has been spent in Mbarara, Uganda. My wife and I spent 9 months in Uganda in 2009 assisting with the opening of the Holy Innocents Children’s Hospital. I have since returned multiple times to Kampala, Uganda working with the Uganda Cancer Institute performing head and neck oncology and microvascular surgery with an emphasis on resident education. We work with residents from Uganda, Kenya, Congo and Malawi. I have also spent time working with the Kijabe residency in Kenya performing mandibular reconstruction for patients with ameloblastoma.