Melissa A. Scholes, MD
Chair
Department:
SOM-Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
Email:
mscholes@umc.edu
Biography
Dr. Scholes grew up in several areas of the country and was lucky to end up in Mississippi in high school where she went on to complete her undergraduate degree with honors at University of Southern Mississippi and her medical degree at UMMC. Dr. Scholes completed her residency training at University of Colorado Hospital and pediatric otolaryngology fellowship at Ohio State University. Prior to joining UMMC, Dr. Scholes was at Children’s Hospital Colorado.
At UMMC, Dr. Scholes is a member of our pediatric otolaryngology team. Her interests include pediatric head and neck masses, cleft and related speech and ear issues.
She currently serves as Interim Chair of the Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery.
Dr. Scholes has been on several medical missions and loves to travel.
Education
| Nationwide Children's Hospital, MD, Pediatric Otolaryngology Fellowship | 2012 |
| University of Colorado Health Science Center, MD, Otolaryngology Residency | 2008 |
| University of Colorado Health Science Center, MD, General Surgery Internship | 2004 |
| University of Mississippi, MD, Medicinae Doctor | 2003 |
| University of Southern Mississippi, BS, Bachelor of Science in Biology | 1999 |
Specialty Certification Licensure
| Certification, Complex Pediatric Otolaryngology, ABOTO | 12/2021 - 04/2027 |
| Licensure, Mississippi Medical License | 06/2022 - 06/2024 |
| Certification, Board Certification American Academy of Otolaryngology, ABOTO | 06/2009 - 04/2027 |
| Licensure, Colorado State Medical License | 06/2012 - 08/2024 |
| Licensure, Ohio State Medical License | 06/2011 - 12/2023 |
| Licensure, New York State Medical License | 06/2008 - 06/2012 |
Current Positions
| Associate Professor, School of Medicine | 08/2022 - Present |
| The University of Mississippi Medical Center Jackson, Mississippi 39216 | |
Academic Appointments or Other Previous Appointments
| Associate Professor, Children's Hospital Colorado, School of Medicine | 07/2019 - 08/2022 |
| Assistant Professor, Children's Hospital Colorado, School of Medicine | 08/2012 - 06/2019 |
| Assistant Professor, Basset Medical Center, School of Medicine | 07/2008 - 12/2011 |
Sponsored Program Funding
| Extramural, Mandibular distraction resident simulation lab, KLS-Martin | 10/2019 - 10/2019 |
| Intramural, Incidence and Impact of Vestibular Hypofunction in Cystic Fibrosis Patients: A Pilot Study, Children's Hospital Colorado Center for Children's Surgery | 06/2018 - 06/2022 |
| Extramural, Mandibular distraction resident simulation lab, KLS-Martin | 10/2017 - 10/2017 |
Publications
Journal Article | |
| Scholes MA Hearing Loss in Kids Children's Hospital Colorado "Just Ask" eNewsletter, June 2015 | 2015 |
| Scholes MA Help for Sinuses Oneonta Daily Star | 2010 |
| Koempel JA, Don DM, Scholes MA, Chan KH, Women Surgeons Who Contributed to the Development of Pediatric Otolaryngology in the United States. The Laryngoscope, 2024 Jan;134(1):40-46 | 2024 |
| Klatzkow H, Gitomer S, St John-Larkin C, Scholes MA, Cooper E, Prevalence of Postpartum Depression in Mothers Presenting to a Pediatric Otolaryngology Clinic. The Laryngoscope, 2024 Feb;134(2):973-976 | 2024 |
| Sumalde AAM, Scholes MA, Kalmanson OA, Terhune EA, Frejo L, Wethey CI, Roman-Naranjo P, Carry PM, Gubbels SP, Lopez-Escamez JA, Hadley-Miller N, Santos-Cortez RLP, Rare Coding Variants in Patients with Non-Syndromic Vestibular Dysfunction. Genes, 2023 Mar 30;14(4) | 2023 |
| Scholes M, Jensen E, Meier M, Friedman N, Effect of adenotonsillectomy in children with obstructive sleep apnea and major psychiatric disorders on obstructive apnea-hypopnea index and Epworth Sleepiness Scale scores. Journal of clinical sleep medicine : JCSM : official publication of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, 2021 Apr 1;17(4):685-689 | 2021 |
| Hirsch SD, Elling CL, Bootpetch TC, Scholes MA, Hafrén L, Streubel SO, Pine HS, Wine TM, Szeremeta W, Prager JD, Einarsdottir E, Yousaf A, Baschal EE, Rehman S, Bamshad MJ, Nickerson DA, Riazuddin S, Leal SM, Ahmed ZM, Yoon PJ, Kere J, Chan KH, Mattila PS, Friedman NR, Chonmaitree T, Frank DN, Ryan AF, Santos-Cortez RLP, The role of CDHR3 in susceptibility to otitis media. Journal of molecular medicine (Berlin, Germany), 2021 Nov;99(11):1571-1583 | 2021 |
| Bootpetch TC, Hafrén L, Elling CL, Baschal EE, Manichaikul AW, Pine HS, Szeremeta W, Scholes MA, Cass SP, Larson ED, Chan KH, Ishaq R, Prager JD, Shaikh RS, Gubbels SP, Yousaf A, University of Washington Center for Mendelian Genomics (UW-CMG), Wine TM, Bamshad MJ, Yoon PJ, Jenkins HA, Nickerson DA, Streubel SO, Friedman NR, Frank DN, Einarsdottir E, Kere J, Riazuddin S, Daly KA, Leal SM, Ryan AF, Mattila PS, Ahmed ZM, Sale MM, Chonmaitree T, Santos-Cortez RLP, Multi-omic studies on missense PLG variants in families with otitis media. Scientific reports, 2020 Sep 14;10(1):15035 | 2020 |
| Larson ED, Magno JPM, Steritz MJ, Llanes EGDV, Cardwell J, Pedro M, Roberts TB, Einarsdottir E, Rosanes RAQ, Greenlee C, Santos RAP, Yousaf A, Streubel SO, Santos ATR, Ruiz AG, Lagrana-Villagracia SM, Ray D, Yarza TKL, Scholes MA, Anderson CB, Acharya A, University of Washington Center for Mendelian Genomics, Gubbels SP, Bamshad MJ, Cass SP, Lee NR, Shaikh RS, Nickerson DA, Mohlke KL, Prager JD, Cruz TLG, Yoon PJ, Abes GT, Schwartz DA, Chan AL, Wine TM, Cutiongco-de la Paz EM, Friedman N, Kechris K, Kere J, Leal SM, Yang IV, Patel JA, Tantoco MLC, Riazuddin S, Chan KH, Mattila PS, Reyes-Quintos MRT, Ahmed ZM, Jenkins HA, Chonmaitree T, Hafrén L, Chiong CM, Santos-Cortez RLP, A2ML1 and otitis media: novel variants, differential expression, and relevant pathways. Human mutation, 2019 Aug;40(8):1156-1171 | 2019 |
| Greenlee CJ, Scholes MA, Gao D, Friedman NR, Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Sleep Position: Does It Matter for Infants With a Cleft Palate? The Cleft palate-craniofacial journal : official publication of the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association, 2019 Aug;56(7):890-895 | 2019 |
| Scholes MA, Jensen EL, Polaner DM, Gao D, Multiple surgeries in pediatric otolaryngology patients and associated anesthesia risks. International journal of pediatric otorhinolaryngology, 2018 Oct;113:115-118 | 2018 |
| Santos-Cortez RLP, Chiong CM, Frank DN, Ryan AF, Giese APJ, Bootpetch Roberts T, Daly KA, Steritz MJ, Szeremeta W, Pedro M, Pine H, Yarza TKL, Scholes MA, Llanes EGDV, Yousaf S, Friedman N, Tantoco MLC, Wine TM, Labra PJ, Benoit J, Ruiz AG, de la Cruz RAR, Greenlee C, Yousaf A, Cardwell J, Nonato RMA, Ray D, Ong KMC, So E, Robertson CE, Dinwiddie J, Lagrana-Villagracia SM, University of Washington Center for Mendelian Genomics (UWCMG), Gubbels SP, Shaikh RS, Cass SP, Einarsdottir E, Lee NR, Schwartz DA, Gloria-Cruz TLI, Bamshad MJ, Yang IV, Kere J, Abes GT, Prager JD, Riazuddin S, Chan AL, Yoon PJ, Nickerson DA, Cutiongco-de la Paz EM, Streubel SO, Reyes-Quintos MRT, Jenkins HA, Mattila P, Chan KH, Mohlke KL, Leal SM, Hafrén L, Chonmaitree T, Sale MM, Ahmed ZM, FUT2 Variants Confer Susceptibility to Familial Otitis Media. American journal of human genetics, 2018 Nov 1;103(5):679-690 | 2018 |
| Scholes MA, Jensen EL, Presentation and management of nasal foreign bodies at a tertiary children's hospital in an American metro area. International journal of pediatric otorhinolaryngology, 2016 Sep;88:190-3 | 2016 |
| Scholes MA, McEvoy T, Mousa H, Wiet GJ, Cricopharyngeal achalasia in children: botulinum toxin injection as a tool for diagnosis and treatment. The Laryngoscope, 2014 Jun;124(6):1475-80 | 2014 |
| He Y, Scholes MA, Wiet GJ, Li Q, Clancy C, Tong HH, Complement activation in pediatric patients with recurrent acute otitis media. International journal of pediatric otorhinolaryngology, 2013 Jun;77(6):911-7 | 2013 |
| Walz PC, Scholes MA, Merz MN, Elmaraghy CA, Jatana KR, The internet, adolescent males, and homemade blowgun darts: a recipe for foreign body aspiration. Pediatrics, 2013 Aug;132(2):e519-21 | 2013 |
| Kelley PE, Scholes MA, Microtia and congenital aural atresia. Otolaryngologic clinics of North America, 2007 Feb;40(1):61-80, vi | 2007 |
| Truong MT, Messner AH, Kerschner JE, Scholes M, Wong-Dominguez J, Milczuk HA, Yoon PJ, Pediatric vocal fold paralysis after cardiac surgery: rate of recovery and sequelae. Otolaryngology--head and neck surgery : official journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, 2007 Nov;137(5):780-4 | 2007 |
| Carry PM, Duke VR, Brazell CJ, Stence N, Scholes M, Rousie DL, Hadley Miller N, Lateral semi-circular canal asymmetry in females with idiopathic scoliosis. PloS one, 2020;15(4):e0232417 | |
| Baschal EE, Larson ED, Bootpetch Roberts TC, Pathak S, Frank G, Handley E, Dinwiddie J, Moloney M, Yoon PJ, Gubbels SP, Scholes MA, Cass SP, Jenkins HA, Frank DN, Yang IV, Schwartz DA, Ramakrishnan VR, Santos-Cortez RLP, Identification of Novel Genes and Biological Pathways That Overlap in Infectious and Nonallergic Diseases of the Upper and Lower Airways Using Network Analyses. Frontiers in genetics, 2019;10:1352 | |
| Lee NK, Cass SP, Gubbels SP, Gomez HZ, Scholes MA, Jenkins HA, Santos-Cortez RLP, Novel candidate genes for cholesteatoma in chronic otitis media. Frontiers in genetics, 2022;13:1033965 | |
| Elling CL, Scholes MA, Streubel SO, Larson ED, Wine TM, Bootpetch TC, Yoon PJ, Kofonow JM, Gubbels SP, Cass SP, Robertson CE, Jenkins HA, Prager JD, Frank DN, Chan KH, Friedman NR, Ryan AF, Santos-Cortez RLP, The FUT2 Variant c.461G>A (p.Trp154*) Is Associated With Differentially Expressed Genes and Nasopharyngeal Microbiota Shifts in Patients With Otitis Media. Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology, 2021;11:798246 | |
Book Chapter | |
| Williams BD, Scholes MA. "Pediatric Pharyngitis" in Color Atlas of Pediatrics Mc-Graw Hill, 2015 | |
| Yoon PJ, Friedman NR, Scholes MA "Ear, Nose and Throat" in Current Pediatrics, 22nd edition McGraw-Hill 2014 | |
| Yoon PJ, Friedman NF, Scholes MA "Ear, Nose and Throat" in Current Pediatrics 23rd edition Mc-Graw Hill, 23rd edition | |
| Yoon PJ, Friedman NF, Scholes MA. "Ear, Nose and Throat" in Current Pediatrics 24th edition Mc-Graw Hill, 2018 | |
| Scholes MA "Ear Infections" in ENT Secrets 4th edition Elsevier, 2016 | |
| Yoon PJ, Herrmann B, Scholes M "Ear, Nose and Throat" in Current Pediatrics, 25th edition McGraw-Hill, 2020 | |
| Scholes MA "Head and Neck Manifestation of Systemic Disease" in ENT Secrets, 5th edition Elsevier, Philadelphia, 2023 | |
| Scholes MA "Ear Infections" in ENT Secrets, 5th edition Elsevier, Philadelphia, 2023 | |
Book | |
| Scholes M, Ramakrishnan V, editors ENT Secrets, 5th edition Elsevier, Philadelphia, 2023 | |
| Scholes M, Ramakrishnan V, editors ENT Secrets, 4th edition Elsevier Philidelphia, 2016 | |
Presentations
| National and International Invited Seminars/Lectures, Work-up and Management of Pediatric Vestibular Disorders, ASPO Summer Meeting, Vail, CO | 07/2023 |
| Platform Presentations, Impact of Race and Socioeconomic Status on the Surgical Management of Laryngomalacia, ASPO Summer Meeting, Vail, CO | 07/2023 |
| National and International Invited Seminars/Lectures, Breaking Boundaries: Women in Pediatric Otolaryngology, ASPO Spring Meeting, Boston, MA | 05/2023 |
| Platform Presentations, Update in Pediatric Otolaryngology, University of Colorado’s Department of Otolaryngology Midwinter Meeting, Vail, CO | 02/2023 |
| Poster Presentation, Feeding Outcomes in Robin Sequence Patients Undergoing Mandibular Distraction Osteogenesis- a Multi-Institutional Review, Pediatric Academic Societies Meeting, Denver, CO | 04/2022 |
| Platform Presentations, Post-partum Depression Screening in Pediatric Otolaryngology, American Society of Peditric Otolaryngology Spring Meeting, Dallas, TX | 04/2022 |
| Poster Presentation, Evaluation of Postpartum Depression in Mothers of Infants Presenting to Pediatric Otolaryngology Clinic, American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology Annual, Virtual | 04/2021 |
| Poster Presentation, Unique COVID-19 Symptoms in Adolescents: Delayed-Onset Olfactory and Gustatory Dysfunction, American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology Annual Meeting, Virtual | 04/2021 |
| Platform Presentations, Feeding Outcomes in Mandibular Distraction Osteogenesis in Neonates with Airway Obstruction, CHCO Center for Children’s Research Annual Meeting, Aurora, CO | 04/2021 |
| National and International Invited Seminars/Lectures, Cleft Lip Repair, Sergio Bernales Medical School, Lima, Peru | 03/2021 |
| Platform Presentations, Multidisciplinary Vestibular Assessment and Treatment., American Academy of Audiology Spring Meeting, Online | 04/2020 |
| National and International Invited Seminars/Lectures, Pediatric Facial Trauma, Sergio Bernales, Lima, Peru | 11/2019 |
| Poster Presentation, Complicated Pediatric Rhinosinusitis and the Significance of Streptococcal Anginosus, Center for Children’s Surgery Research Day, Aurora, CO | 09/2019 |
| Poster Presentation, Evaluation and Management of Children with Balance Disorders, American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology Annual Meeting, Austin,TX | 05/2019 |
| Platform Presentations, Complicated Pediatric Rhinosinusitis and the Significance of Streptococcal Anginosus, Combined Otolaryngology Spring Meetings, American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology, National Harbor, MD | 04/2018 |
| Platform Presentations, Child Abuse Presentations in Pediatric Otolaryngology, University of Colorado Department of Otolaryngology Midwinter Meeting, Vail, CO | 02/2018 |
| Platform Presentations, Frontiers in Pediatric Otolaryngology, University of Colorado’s Department of Otolaryngology Midwinter Meeting, Vail, CO | 02/2017 |
| Invited Symposia, Finding Your Niche in Pediatric Otolaryngology, American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology Summer meeting, Vail, CO | 02/2017 |
| Platform Presentations, Pediatric Vertigo: Presentation, Diagnosis and Treatment Options, at University of Colorado’s Department of Otolaryngology Midwinter Meeting, Vail, CO | 02/2017 |
| Platform Presentations, Anesthesia Effects on Neurodevelopment: Review of Pathophysiology, Current Evidence and How it Should Change Your Practice, at American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology Summer Meeting, Vail, CO | 07/2016 |
| Invited Symposia, Mentorship in ASPO, American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology Spring Meeting, Austin, TX | 05/2016 |
| Poster Presentation, Presentation of a Congenital Forehead Pit: Possible Embryologic Origins and Management of a Rare Facial Anomaly, American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL | 04/2016 |
| Platform Presentations, Effects of Anesthesia on the Developing Brain and Implications for the Pediatric Otolaryngologist, University of Colorado’s Department of Otolaryngology Midwinter Meeting, Vail CO | 01/2016 |
| National and International Invited Seminars/Lectures, Cleft Palate Basics, Hospital Nacional de Dos de Mayo, Lima, Peru | 10/2015 |
| National and International Invited Seminars/Lectures, Cleft Lip and Palate, Centro de Estudiantes Medicinas, Lima, Peru | 10/2014 |
| State/Local Invited Seminars/Lectures, AOM and COME update for primary care providers, Mountainland Pediatrics, Denver, CO | 06/2013 |
| Platform Presentations, Injection of botulinum toxin for cricopharyngeal achalasia in children, Saunders Research Symposium, Columbus, OH | 06/2012 |
| State/Local Invited Seminars/Lectures, BPPV for Primary Care Givers, Bassett Medical Center Prime Care Conference, Cooperstown, NY | 09/2010 |
| Platform Presentations, Rising Incidence of Community-Acquired Head and Neck Infections in a Tertiary Children’s Hospital, UCH Research Day, Aurora, CO | 06/2007 |
| Poster Presentation, A Rare Cardiac Anomaly Presenting as Stridor in a Newborn: Anomalous Left Coronary Artery Arising from the Pulmonary Artery (ALCAPA), American Academy of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery Annual Meeting, Toronto, CA | 09/2006 |
Honors, Awards, and Recognition
| Provider of the Month, Children's Hospital Colorado | 2019 |
| Excellence in Collaboration Award, Children's Hospital Colorado | 2017 |
| Patient-Family Experience Care Award, Children's Hospital Colorado | 2016 |
Professional Membership and Service
| Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society, Member | 2023 - Present |
| SENTAC (Society for ENT Advancement in Children), Member | 2017 - Present |
| American Cleft Palate Association, Member | 2015 - Present |
| American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology, Member | 2015 - Present |
| AAO-HNS (American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery), Member | 2004 - Present |
| American Medical Society, Member | 2002 - Present |
Committee Service
| American Board of Otolaryngology Question Task Force, Task Force Member | 2022 - Present |
| American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology Summer Program Commitee, Member | 2021 - 2022 |
| Children's Hospital Colorado Faculty Peer Support Network, Member | 2020 - 2022 |
| Stakeholder Alliance for Robin Sequence, Member | 2019 - 2022 |
| American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology Members Committee | 2019 - 2022 |
| U. of Colorado Resident Liaison for Children's Hospital Colorado, Chair | 2018 - 2022 |
| U. of Colorado Dep't of Otolaryngology Wellness Committee, Member | 2017 - 2018 |
| American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology Summer Program Committee, Member | 2017 - 2019 |
| American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology Members Committee, Member | 2016 - 2019 |
| Children's Hospital Colorado Croup Clinical Care Guideline Committee, Member | 2016 - 2022 |
| Children's Hospital Colorado NICU Tracheostomy Guidelines, Member | 2015 - 2016 |
| Children's Hospital Colorado Interpreter Utilization Committee, Member | 2014 - 2018 |
| Children's Hospital Colorado Populaiton Health Strategic Planning, Task Force Member | 2014 - 2016 |
| U. of Colorado Dep't Otolaryngology Program Evaluation Committee, Chair | 2014 - 2021 |
| U. Of Colorado Dep't Otolaryngology Alumni Association, Chair | 2014 - 2022 |
| Pediatric Vertigo and Balance Disorders Clinic, Chair | 2013 - 2022 |
| University of Colorado Otolaryngology Residence Curriculum Committee, Co-Chair | 2013 - 2019 |
| CHCO Pediatric Otolaryngology Fellow Program Education Committee, Member | 2013 - 2022 |
| Children's Hospital Colorado Perioperative Process Improvement Team, Member | 2012 - 2015 |
Community Service
| Mayflower Medical Outreach, Volunteer Surgeon | 01/2212 - 01/2012 |
| Healing the Children, Rocky Mountains, Volunteer Surgeon | 11/2026 - 11/2016 |
| Healing the Children, Rocky Mountains, Volunteer Surgeon | 11/2019 - 11/2019 |
| Healing the Children, Rocky Mountains, Volunteer Surgeon | 11/2018 - 11/2018 |
| Healing the Children, Rocky Mountains, Volunteer Surgeon | 11/2017 - 11/2017 |
| Faith in Practice, Medical Mision, Volunteer Surgeon | 06/2017 - 06/2017 |
| Faith in Practice, Medical Mission, Volunteer surgeon | 03/2016 - 03/2016 |
| Healing the Children, Rocky Mountains, Volunteer Surgeon | 10/2015 - 10/2015 |
| Healing the Children, Rocky Mountains, Volunteer Surgeon | 11/2014 - 11/2014 |
| Healing the Children, Rocky Mountains, Volunteer Surgeon | 11/2013 - 11/2013 |
| Children's Hospital Colorado, Cleft Mission, Volunteer Surgeon | 01/2013 - 01/2013 |
Other Service
| University of Colorado Health Science Center, Medical School Admissions Committee | 07/2021 - 06/2022 |
| University of Colorado Department of Otolaryngology, Associate Fellowship Director Pediatric Otolarygology | 07/2020 - 06/2022 |
| Abstract Reviewer, Children's Hospital Colorado Center for Surgery | 2020 - 02/2020 |
| Podum Judge, Children's Hospital Colorado Center for Surgery | 02/2018 - 02/2018 |
| Editorial Mentoship, International Journal of Pediatric Otolaryngology | 07/2017 - 06/2018 |
| Reviewer, Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health | 2017 - Present |
| Reviewer, International Journal of Pediatric Otolaryngology | 07/2016 - 07/2023 |
| Reviewer, Laryngoscope | 07/2014 - 06/2022 |
| ENT Secrets, 5th edition, ENT Secrets 5th edition | |
| ENT Secrets, 4th ed., ENT Secrets 4th Edition |
Teaching Experience
| Medicine, Lecture, Lecturer, Velopharyngeal Dysfunction | 2022 |
| Medicine, Lecture, Lecturer, Pediatric Vocal Fold Paresis | 2022 |
| Medicine, Lecture, Lecturer, Pediatric Vertigo | 2021 - 2022 |
Directed Student Learning
| Supervised Research, Tympanostomy tube otorrhea: effect of healthcare disparities and COVID-19 Advised: Shiv Patel | 2023 - Present |
Fellows supervised
| Childrens Hospital Colorado, Post-Doc Advisor, 1 fellows supervised, Maracuso | 07/2021 - 06/2022 |
Residency Training
| Otolaryngology, Attending Physician | 2011 - Present |