VALHALLA, NY – February 5, 2026 – Shaun Desai, MD, a national leader in facial plastic and microvascular reconstructive surgery, has been named Chair of the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at New York Medical College (NYMC) and Westchester Medical Center, a member of the Westchester Medical Center Health Network (WMCHealth). Dr. Desai will assume his new roles in April. He succeeds Augustine Moscatello, MD, who has served as chair since 2016.
“We are delighted to welcome Dr. Desai as chair of Otolaryngology,” said Neil W. Schluger, MD, Dean of the NYMC School of Medicine. “Dr. Desai brings exceptional expertise in facial plastic and microvascular reconstructive surgery, along with a distinguished record of leadership in medical education. A committed advocate for medical students, residents, and fellows, he is deeply invested in mentorship and training the next generation of physicians. His combination of clinical excellence and educational leadership will advance our mission and enrich our academic community.”
“Our patients are at the heart of every decision we make, and Dr. Desai’s arrival strengthens the exceptional care we deliver together with our partners at New York Medical College,” said David Lubarsky, MD, MBA, President and Chief Executive Officer of WMCHealth. “His extraordinary skill in complex reconstruction and national reputation for surgical innovation will elevate the experience and outcomes for patients across the Hudson Valley. His return home positions WMCHealth and NYMC to advance one of the region’s most forward‑looking academic and clinical programs.”
Dr. Desai, born and raised in Poughkeepsie, New York, returns to the Hudson Valley from Baltimore, Maryland, where he served as Associate Professor of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. His national and international contributions span clinical, education, and research, as well as academic leadership.
Clinically, he is an expert in complex head and neck microvascular reconstruction and facial aesthetic plastic surgery. Dr. Desai has performed thousands of complex face, head, and neck surgeries at Johns Hopkins over the past 11 years, and was named by Newsweek magazine as one of the “Top 100 Plastic Surgeons” in the U.S. In addition, Dr. Desai’s passion for complex surgeries has benefited patients globally. He has traveled to Ukraine, India, Tanzania, and Peru for various grant-supported surgical and teaching mission trips.
Dr. Desai is recognized as an advocate and leader in medical student, resident, and fellow education at Johns Hopkins. In honor of his teaching, the residents awarded him the George T. Nager Faculty Teaching Award. He served as Associate Residency Program Director for the Otolaryngology residency and Co-director of the Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Fellowship. He also edited his own textbook for trainees titled Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery: Clinical Reference Guide.
Dr. Desai has published extensively on novel and advanced methods of microvascular reconstruction of the head and neck using innovative technology and has lectured nationally and internationally. At Johns Hopkins, he also led quality improvement efforts, including an enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol to reduce overall complication rates in head and neck cancer and trauma patients, and brought success rates for microvascular reconstruction to more than 97 percent. His commitment to high-quality care extends beyond his practice; he also served as the Physician Advisor for Patient Safety and Quality in the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at Johns Hopkins.
As Medical Director of the Johns Hopkins Surgery Center, he helped lead the health system’s expansion into the National Capital Region and build the aesthetic and cosmetic surgery service line. He received his undergraduate and medical degrees with distinction at The George Washington University School of Medicine through a combined seven-year BA/MD program. Dr. Desai completed a five-year surgical residency training program in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at Barnes-Jewish Hospital of Washington University in St. Louis, as well as an American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery fellowship with specialty training in facial plastic and microvascular reconstruction of the head and neck. He is dual-board certified in both Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.