Si Chen, MD

Dr. Si Chen is a Clinical Associate Professor in the University of Florida College of Medicine’s Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and serves as the Advanced Otology Fellowship Director. Dr. Chen’s clinical focus is on advanced ear diseases and skull-base pathology—including cholesteatoma, cochlear implants, CSF leak/encephalocele, vestibular schwannomas, and other tumors. She leads lateral skull base surgery for the UF Comprehensive Skull Base Surgery Center.

Dr. Si Chen earned a summa cum laude Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from Northeastern University, then received her MD from New York University School of Medicine. She completed an otolaryngology residency at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital, followed by a neurotology and skull-base surgery fellowship at the renowned House Clinic/University of California-Los Angeles, where she gained subspecialty training in translabyrinthine, retrosigmoid, and middle fossa approaches to the skull base for tumor removal, as well as complex cochlear implants across both adults and pediatric population.

Since joining University of Florida, Dr. Chen has demonstrated distinction in medical education. She teaches medical students, residents, and fellows, and established the Advanced Otology Fellowship in 2022. She serves as a mentor and courtesy faculty in multiple programs including Department of Neurosurgery, Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences. She has led many surgical dissection courses, national workshops, and continuing-medical-education initiatives, earning the UF College of Medicine Exemplary Teacher Award in 2023 and MD-PHD Clinical Educator Award in 2025.

Dr. Chen has continued to contribute to the field of otolaryngology and medical education with peer-reviewed journal articles. Her research interests center on the surgical management of skull-base pathologies and related ear disorders. Research has produced numerous publications and national and international presentations on CSF leak/encephalocele, vestibular schwannoma, meningiomas, and other skull-base tumors.

Administratively, she previously served as medical director of the UF Health The Oaks ENT Clinics, oversaw operations for a high-volume practice, and has introduced clinical workflows to improve efficiency. Her service record includes membership on the College of Medicine Faculty Council, the Hospital Operations Committee, and the Continuing Medical Education Advisory Committee. She was appointed Assistant Dean for Continuing Medical Education in 2023, and currently serves as the interim Associate Dean for Continuing Medical Education.

Specialties:

Otology and Neurotology