Vivian F. Wu, MD, MPH

Vivian F. Wu, MD, MPH

Board-Certified

Otolaryngologist – Head & Neck Surgery

Vivian F. Wu, MD, MPH, is a surgeon-scientist specializing in head and neck surgical oncology, including cancers of the tongue, throat, voice box, thyroid, skin, and salivary glands. She serves as the Director of the Head and Neck Cancer Center of Excellence at Providence Saint John's and the Pacific Neuroscience Institute (PNI). Dr. Wu earned her Bachelor’s degree from UC Berkeley and a Master of Public Health from Yale University. She received her medical degree from Howard University, completed her residency at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), and underwent specialized fellowship training at the University of Michigan (now Michigan Medicine).

Career Highlights

With over a decade of post-training experience, she offers cutting-edge care for head and neck cancers, including sentinel node biopsy for skin and oral cavity cancers, minimally invasive thyroid and parathyroid surgery, radiofrequency ablation for thyroid nodules, and transoral robotic surgery for throat cancers.

A recognized leader in her field, Dr. Wu has a distinguished record of collaborative, multidisciplinary care. She works closely with experts in medical oncology, radiation oncology, endocrinology, dermatology, and supportive oncology to provide comprehensive, patient-centered treatment. Dr. Wu is deeply committed to guiding her patients through their cancer journeys with state-of-the-art care and shared decision-making.

Before joining PNI, Dr. Wu directed the Advanced Head and Neck Surgical Oncology Fellowship at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan, where she received the coveted 2024 Resident Teaching Award for her dedication to educating future head and neck surgeons. As former Vice Chair of Research, her academic interests focus on cancer cell communication and information transfer. She is also a tireless advocate for HPV vaccination.

Specialties

  • Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy
  • Cutaneous and Oral Cavity Cancer Surgery
  • Minimally Invasive Thyroid/Parathyroid Surgery
  • Minimally Invasive Radiofrequency Ablation for Thyroid Nodules
  • Transoral Robotic Surgery

Affiliations, Education & Research

Professional Society Memberships/Honors
  • American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery
Education

• Medical School: Howard University
• Masters of Public Health: Yale School of Medicine
• Internship: Oregon Health & Sciences University
• Residency: Oregon Health & Sciences University
• Fellowship: University of Michigan Head and Neck Surgical Oncology

Research

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    Please include non-medical questions and correspondence only.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

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