A History of the Practice

Our office at 1721 Pine Street is the oldest ear, nose and throat office in continuous use in the same location in the United States.  It was founded shortly after the turn of the 20th Century by George Morrison Coates, MD.  Dr. Coates' family dated back to before the time of the Revolutionary War in the United States.  His relative, Benjamin Coates, was the first Chairman of the Board of Overseers at Pennsylvania Hospital, which was the first hospital in the United States. George Coates practiced at 1721 Pine Street throughout his career, and held numerous prestigious positions. He was Professor and Chairman of the Department of Otolaryngology at the University of Pennsylvania, and was also Professor at Jefferson, Temple, and Woman's Medical College at various times.  He was also Head of the Department of Otolaryngology at the Graduate School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, located at Graduate Hospital.  This unique facility attracted physicians from around the world for advanced degree study after residency training.  Dr. Coates served as Editor-in-Chief of the Archives of Otolaryngology for many years and was a member and officer of nearly all major otolaryngologic societies.  He also started the five-volume loose-leaf otolaryngology textbook (originally Coates and Shenk) that survived until a few years ago (final version edited by Gerald English), when it was discontinued in favor of internet-based texts.

Dr. Coates had a few associates practice with him briefly.  These included Matthew Ersner, MD who later became Professor and Chairman of Otolaryngology at Temple University; William Gordon, MD and George Lieberman, MD who later practiced general otolaryngology in the Philadelphia area; and Ben Shuster, MD who remained on the faculty of the University of Pennsylvania and was the primary teacher of otolaryngology at the Graduate School. Dr. Coates' only long-term associate was Joseph Sataloff, MD, DSc who joined the practice at Pine Street in 1946 and is still part of our practice.

Over the years, the office at Pine Street has been equipped with the most sophisticated instrumentation and a most comprehensive staff of nurses, speech pathologists, voice therapists, researchers, psychological professionals and others.  Nevertheless, the personal elegance and attention of a 19th Century Brownstone have been retained.  We pride ourselves not only in the history and expertise of our physicians, but also that of all of our staff.  When Dr. Joseph Sataloff first started in practice, his receptionists included Katherine Bradford, granddaughter of Governor Bradford of Massachusetts, and Sarah Bache, great-great-great granddaughter of Benjamin Franklin.  All of us at Pine Street remain cognizant of our institution's history, and our responsibility to perpetuate it. For nearly one hundred years, patients, students and colleagues have traveled to our office from all over the world in search of the latest concepts in medical care. We are dedicated to continuing this grand tradition, and to making our visitors' experiences worth the journey.

Joseph Sataloff, MD is also world renown for his contributions to middle ear surgery and to occupational hearing loss. He published more than 150 papers and 11 books, and he served as Associate Editor of Archives of Otolaryngology for thirty years (a record).  He is Professor of Otolaryngology at Jefferson and has made countless contributions to clinical care, research and education in otolaryngology. Herbert Kean, MD practiced with him for approximately one year before establishing an independent private practice. Dr. Sataloff's primary long-term associate has been his son Robert Thayer Sataloff, MD, DMA who joined the practice in 1980.

Robert Sataloff, MD is known internationally for his contributions to otology, neurotology, and skull base surgery, and especially for his pioneering work in helping to establish the field of voice care.  He has written more than 600 publications including 36 books; and he has trained students, residents, fellows, and otolaryngologists from around the world, contributing to the advancement of tertiary care standards on every continent except Antarctica. He is currently Professor and Chairman of the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and Associate Dean for Clinical Academic Specialities at Drexel University College of Medicine. He is also Professor and Co-Director of Research in the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University; Adjunct Professor of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, the University of Pennsylvania; a member of the faculties of the Academy of Vocal Arts and the Curtis Institute of Music; Director of the Jefferson Arts Medicine Center; Conductor of the Thomas Jefferson University Choir; and Chairman of the Boards of The Voice Foundation and of the American Institute for Voice and Ear Research; President-elect of The Pennsylvania Academy of Otolaryngology.

Karen M. Lyons, MD joined our practice in 1996 and continues to direct our division of general otolaryngology.  She is Clinical Associate Professor of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery at Drexel University College of Medicine.

Yolanda D. Heman-Ackah, MD joined us in 2003.  She completed her residency at The University of Minnesota, as well as a one year fellowship in laryngology/professional voice care with Dr. Robert Sataloff. Thereafter, she spent two years as a member of the full-time faculty at the University of Illinois before being recruited back to Philadelphia by Dr. Robert Sataloff.  Her expertise includes not only voice care, but also management of complex airway disorders, swallowing disorders, and head and neck malignancies.  She has published extensively.  She is currently Associate Professor in the Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery at Drexel University College of Medicine.

John A. Tucker, MD joined our practice in 2005. He is currently Clinical Professor of the University of Pennsylvania and Adjunct Professor in the Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery at Drexel University College of Medicine.

In December 2006, Robert J. Wolfson, MD joined our practice. Dr. Wolfson is Professor and Vice-Chairman of the Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery at Drexel University College of Medicine.

Venu Divi, MD will join our practice in July 2007.