Dr. Nicholas Wirtz is a fellowship trained Otolaryngologist (ENT) Head and Neck Surgeon specializing in the management of cancers of the head and neck. A native of Blue Springs, he earned his medical degree from the University of Missouri, graduating summa cum laude with honors. Dr Wirtz completed residency at the University of Minnesota, and was awarded outstanding resident clinician, an honor given to the top chief resident. He furthered his training by completing a fellowship in Advanced Oncologic Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh, working with some of the top surgeons in the field. He is board certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology.
Education
University of Missouri-Columbia
Bachelor of Science in Biology, Summa Cum Laude
University of Missouri School of Medicine
Doctor of Medicine
University of Minnesota
Otolaryngology Residency
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
Advanced Oncologic Head and Neck Surgery Fellowship
Presentations
- An Update on HPV-related Head and Neck Cancer
Oral presentation
Advent Health Committee on Cancer
Overland Park, KS, October 2019 - A Unique Case of Hypopharyngeal Perforation
Poster Presentation
American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery Annual Meeting
San Diego, CA, September 2016 - Oral Cavity Cancer in the Young
Oral Presentation
Midwest Head and Neck Cancer Consortium
Kansas City, MO, April 2016 - A Pediatric Decannulation Protocol: Outcomes of a 10-year Experience
Oral Presentation
American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery Annual Meeting
Dallas, TX, September 2015 - Post-Tonsillectomy Weight Gain in Children with Obstructive Sleep Apnea vs Children with Chronic Tonsillitis
Poster Presentation
University of Missouri Health Sciences Research Day
Columbia, MO, January 2012
Volunteer/Leadership Experience
- San Lucas Toliman, Guatemala medical mission Clinician
2012
Medical Missions Foundation of Kansas City, MO - Tecolutla, Mexico medical mission co-director and clinician 2009
Students Interested in Global Health for Tomorrow (SIGHT)
University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO - Antigua, Guatemala medical mission clinical volunteer
2008
Medical Missions Foundation of Kansas City, MO
Published Works
- Wirtz NE, Khariwala SS. “Update on the supraclavicular flap.” Curr Opin Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2017 Oct;25(5):439-444.
- Wirtz NE, Khariwala SS. “Should more conservative blood transfusion thresholds be adopted in head and neck surgery?” Laryngoscope. 2017 Aug;127(8):1733-1734.
- Dorrity J, Wirtz N, Froymovich O, Hamlar D. “Genioglossal advancement, hyoid suspension, tongue base radiofrequency, and endoscopic partial midline glossectomy for obstructive sleep apnea.” Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 2016 Dec;49(6):1399-1414.
- Wirtz N, Sidman J, Block W. “Clefting of the alveolus: Emphasizing the distinction from cleft palate.” Am J Perinatol. 2016;33(6):531-534.
- Wirtz N, Tibesar RJ, Lander T, Sidman J. “A pediatric decannulation protocol: Outcomes of a 10-year experience.” Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2016;154(4):731-734.
- Wirtz N and Hamlar D. Genioglossus “Advancement for Obstructive Sleep Apnea.” Operative Techniques in Otolaryngology. 2015 Dec; 26(4):193-196
Honors & Awards
- 2017 Joseph Carter Award for Clinical Excellence
- 2016 Albert Hohmann Research Award
- 2014 Outstanding Surgical Consultant
- 2013 Lions Research Grant Award
- 2012 Clinical Research Award
Organizations
- American Head and Neck Society
2015-Present - American Academy of Otolaryngology
2012-Present - Residency Education Committee
2016-2017
Advanced Training/Specialties
- Management of benign and malignant tumors of the head and neck
- Surgical treatment of skin cancer
- Thyroid and parathyroid surgery
- Robotic surgery
- Sinus and nasal obstruction treatment