Dan Deschler

I grew up in rural Northern Illinois, where my father was a cement truck driver and my mother still runs a neighborhood restaurant and bar. My parents always emphasized the power of education despite never having attended college themselves. I graduated from Creighton University’s honors program with a degree in history; I was active in theatre and studied in Vienna. The opportunity to attend HMS transformed my life. At Harvard Medical School, I witnessed the wonder that academic medicine could be and met my best friend and my partner in life and medicine - Eileen.

After our training and early academic appointments in San Francisco and Philadelphia, we returned to HMS in 2000. My practice at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear (MEE) centers on the surgical, reconstructive, and longitudinal care of patients with advanced head and neck cancer; my research and academic writings explore multiple aspects of patient care, caregiver needs, and surgical innovation. I direct the HMS student experience at MEE, created and co-direct our head and neck cancer fellowship and serve as Vice-Chair of Academic Affairs for my Department. I feel grateful every day to make a positive difference in people’s lives as a caregiver, educator and mentor, and to have the benefit of learning so much from those around me.

I love family time, theatre, movies and music – and any related trivia questions. I enjoy the wonder, heartbreak and elation all sports bring – as seen in my years of Little League coaching and Chicago/Boston fandom. But most of all, I love seeing the joy people exhibit when they engage in something special and from the heart. I am so fortunate to have this opportunity to learn, live and love Lev.