Keck Medicine of USC is joining with the Demeter, Hubanks and Stoneman Otolaryngology Practice to form USC Otolaryngology Associates in the communities of La Cañada Flintridge and Glendale.

As part of the USC Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, the practice becomes part of a world-class team that offers medical and surgical care to patients with disorders of the ear, nose, throat and related structures of the head and neck.

The Glendale practice was founded by John R. Hubanks, MD, in 1971. Milan J. Demeter, MD, joined in 1979 and currently serves as chief physician. George B. Stoneman, MD, joined in 2010. Now, all three esteemed physicians will be part of Keck Medicine of USC’s medical group, allowing the local practice to expand services at its existing locations in both communities.

Karla Odell, MD

One of the Keck Medicine of USC physicians and audiologists who will help deliver patient care is Karla O’Dell, MD, a laryngologist specializing in voice, airway and swallowing disorders. She will perform office-based laryngeal procedures such as vocal cord injections, Botox injections and laser procedures at both locations.

“Keck Medicine of USC is becoming the practice of choice for physicians in Southern California who want to align their practices with the research and clinical expertise that a leading university-based medical center offers,” says Amar A. Desai, MD, MPH and CEO of USC Care and Ambulatory Services, part of Keck Medicine of USC. “We partner with working physicians who are already well-established in their communities and work collaboratively with these excellent physician practices to make advanced care more accessible within their communities.”

In 2014, the Department of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery at the Keck School of Medicine of USC was No. 10 in funding from the National Institutes of Health, surpassing the likes of Harvard University and New York University.

“My colleagues and I are thrilled to join forces with USC because it means our patients have access to the most advanced care and cutting-edge procedures,” Demeter said. “Everything we do is about enhancing the care we’re able to give our patients, and this partnership is a big advantage for those we serve.”

This latest acquisition continues to fuel Keck Medicine of USC’s growth in Southern California, especially in the San Gabriel and San Fernando valleys. Other recent acquisitions include USC Verdugo Hills Hospital in 2013 and physician practices in Glendale, Bakersfield and Orange County in 2014.

— Meg Aldrich