It was never part of Dr. Derebery’s professional goals to become an otologist, subspecialize in allergy or live in Los Angeles. But during her residency, she was drawn to nasal and sinus disease, and facial plastic surgery of the nose. She decided to get more formal training in allergy and took a year fellowship sponsored by the American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy in Kansas City, MO. During that fellowship, the House Ear Clinic recruited her to develop and grow the small Otologic Allergy Department.
It was while working in this department that Dr. Derebery discovered her interest in Meniere’s disease. She likes the idea of trying to stop a disease or symptoms from progressing or occurring in the first place, not just treating it after the fact with medication or surgery. Intervention in a physiologic way to change an adverse immune response to a protective one is a worthwhile goal—especially if it can prevent permanent hearing loss or disabling vertigo.
Dr. Derebery is most interested in finding a treatment for Meniere’s Disease that consistently improves or prevents the symptoms of hearing loss and hearing fluctuation.
Locations
- Los Angeles
Education
- University of Oklahoma
- University of Texas Medical Branch, MD
Internship
- General Surgery, Good Samaritan Hospital, Portland, OR
Residency
- Otolaryngology, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland OR
Fellowship
- Otolaryngic Allergy, American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy
Research
Dr. Derebery is interested in allergic and immune mediated-ear disease, and especially as it applies to Meniere’s disease and autoimmune inner ear disease. She has published papers on the effects of allergy immunotherapy (allergy desensitization shots) on the symptoms of Meniere’s disease. She also published clinical trial results on the use of an antiviral agent in Meniere’s disease, as well as an immunomodulator medication in patients with autoimmune inner ear disease. She is currently involved as a principal investigator of an experimental medication to treat tinnitus.
Organizations
Dr. Derebery was elected the first woman president of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, and is also a past president of the American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy. She is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the Triologic Society, the American Neurotologic Society, the American Otologic Society and a Past President of the Los Angeles Otolaryngology Society.
Hobbies
She and her husband are avid cyclists who take at least one cycling trip each year. They also ski and hike with their two daughters.
