Brian Benson, M.D., FACS

Chair, Department of Otolaryngology

Brian Benson, MD is the Chair of the Department of Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery at the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine and the Acting Chair of the Department of Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery at Hackensack University Medical Center. Originally trained as a classical trumpet player, Dr. Benson is a graduate of the Juilliard School and former principal trumpet of the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra, Israel. He received his medical degree from Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons and completed his residency in Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery at Rutgers University- New Jersey Medical School. He subsequently completed a fellowship in Laryngology/Neurolaryngology with Dr. Andrew Blitzer at Columbia University. His areas of clinical specialization include minimally invasive treatment of complex voice and swallowing disorders, airway stenosis, and head and neck cancer surgery, including trans-oral robotic surgery.

A member of the Gold Humanism Honor Society, Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society, New York Laryngological Society, New York Head and Neck Society, and the American College of Surgeons, Dr. Benson is also a Trustee of the Arnold P. Gold Foundation, a public, not-for-profit organization that champions Humanism in Healthcare. Published broadly in the peer-reviewed literature, Dr. Benson has diverse research interests that include medical problems of instrumental musicians, botulinum toxin treatment of head and neck disorders, neurolaryngology, and medical student/resident education. He has lectured regionally, nationally, and internationally on these topics as well. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he served as the chair of the Elisabeth Morrow School Medical and Dental Advisory Committee.

At Hackensack University Medical Center Dr. Benson has previously served as Chief of the Division of Laryngology, Vice Chair of the Department of Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery, Co-Chief of the Division of Head and Neck Oncology at the John Theurer Cancer Center, and Member of the Medical Executive Committee.