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Department Head and Neck Institute
Primary Location Westlake Medical Campus Building A
Type of Doctor Adults Only
Languages English
Surgeon Yes
Locations
Westlake Medical Campus Building A
Primary Location

Westlake Medical Campus Building A

Appointment:
216.444.8500
Desk:
216.445.6468
Fax:
216.445.9409

Additional Locations

Specialties & Treatments

Treatment & Services

  • Airway Stenosis Treatment
  • Head and Neck Cancer Treatment
  • Laryngeal Electromyography
  • Laryngeal Framework Surgery
  • Laryngeal Reinnervation
  • Laryngeal Videostroboscopy
  • Laryngoscopy
  • Laser Surgery
  • Post-Acute Care
  • Swallowing Problems/Reflux
  • Tracheal Resection
  • Tracheostomy
  • Tracheostomy Care
  • Transgender Surgery
  • Vocal Cord Paralysis Treatment
  • Voice and Larynx Surgery
View all 16 Treatment & Services +

Specialty in Diseases & Conditions

  • Laryngeal Cancer
  • Laryngeal Stenosis
  • Laryngeal Tracheal Reconstruction
  • Subglottic Stenosis
  • Swallowing Disorders
  • Tracheal Stenosis
  • Vocal Cord Dysfunction
  • Vocal Cord Paralysis
  • Vocal Fatigue
  • Vocal Fold Paralysis
  • Voice Disorders
  • Voice Issues
  • Voice Issues for Professional Singers
View all 13 Specialties +
Insurance

Insurance

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View All Plans
Biography

About William Tierney, MD

Dr. Tierney graduated from the University of California Berkeley in 2008 and completed a graduate degree in Applied Human Anatomy at Case Western Reserve University in 2011. During his graduate education he discovered a passion for head and neck anatomy and decided to pursue a career in Head and Neck Surgery. He completed his medical education at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine and completed a second graduate degree in Clinical Research Science concurrently with his MD. He completed his residency training at the Cleveland Clinic. After residency he completed a Fellowship at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Laryngology and Care for the Professional Voice.

His interests within Laryngology includes the full range of voice, airway, and oropharyngeal swallowing disorders. He is specially qualified in the management and treatment of professional voice users, the medical and surgical treatment of vocal fold lesions such as polyps and nodules, management of early laryngeal cancers and recurrent papilloma, diagnosis and management of neurolaryngeal disorders such as spasmodic dysphonia and vocal tremor, the evaluation and treatment of post-intubation airway injury, medical and procedural management of refractory chronic cough, evaluation and treatment of oropharyngeal swallowing disorders, and open and endoscopic management of airway stenosis (laryngeal stenosis, bilateral vocal fold paralysis, post-intubation stenosis, high tracheal stenosis).

He is a dedicated clinical researcher and has participated in national studies of idiopathic subglottic stenosis, airway reconstructive techniques, and oropharyngeal surgical outcomes. He completed a graduate thesis evaluating the relative risks of office laryngeal procedures. His ongoing research focuses include airway reconstruction, quality improvement in tracheostomy care, risk minimization during intensive care, and acute laryngeal injury.

Listen to Dr. Tierney on our Head and Neck Innovations podcast - Speaking Clearer: Updates on Vocal Cord Paralysis Treatment

Education & Professional Highlights

Education & Professional Highlights

Appointed
2022

Education & Fellowships

Fellowship - Vanderbilt University
Laryngology and Care of the Professional Voice
Nashville, TN USA
2022

Residency - Cleveland Clinic
Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
Cleveland, OH USA
2021

Medical Education - Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine
Cleveland, OH USA
2016

Graduate School - Case Western Reserve University - School of Graduate Studies
Clinical Research Science
Cleveland, OH USA
2016

Graduate School - Case Western Reserve University - School of Graduate Studies
Applied Human Anatomy
Cleveland, OH USA
2011

Undergraduate - UC Berkeley
Molecular and Cellular Biology
CA USA
2008

Certifications

  • Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
Research & Publications

Research & Publications

See publications for William Tierney, MD.

(Disclaimer: This search is powered by PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. PubMed is a third-party website with no affiliation with Cleveland Clinic.)

Industry Relationships

Industry Relationships

Cleveland Clinic physicians and scientists may collaborate with the pharmaceutical or medical device industries to help develop medical breakthroughs or provide medical expertise or education. Cleveland Clinic strives to make scientific advances that will benefit patient care and support outside relationships that promise public benefit. In order for the discoveries of Cleveland Clinic physicians' and scientists' laboratories and investigations to benefit the public, these discoveries must be commercialized in partnership with industry. As experts in their fields, Cleveland Clinic physicians and scientists are often sought after by industry to consult, provide expertise and education.

To assure professional and commercial integrity in such matters, Cleveland Clinic maintains a program that reviews these collaborations and, when appropriate, puts measures in place to minimize bias that may result from ties to industry. Cleveland Clinic publicly discloses the names of companies when (i) its physicians/scientists receive $5,000 or more per year (or, in rare cases, equity or stock options) for speaking and consulting, (ii) its physicians/scientists serve as a fiduciary, (iii) its physicians/scientists receive or have the right to receive royalties or (iv) its physicians/ scientists hold any equity interest for the physician's/scientist's role as inventor, discoverer, developer, founder or consultant.* In publicly disclosing this information, Cleveland Clinic tries to provide information as accurately as possible about its physicians' and scientists' connections with industry.

As of 3/15/2023, Dr. Tierney has reported no financial relationship with industry that is applicable to this listing. In general, patients should feel free to contact their doctor about any of the relationships and how the relationships are overseen by Cleveland Clinic. To learn more about Cleveland Clinic's policies on collaborations with industry and innovation management, go to our Integrity in Innovation page.

Public Health Service-Reportable Financial Conflicts of Interest. Cleveland Clinic scientists and physicians engage in basic, translational and clinical research activities, working to solve health problems, enhance patient care and improve quality of life for patients. Interactions with industry are essential to bringing the researchers' discoveries to the public, but can present the potential for conflicts of interest related to their research activities. Click here to view a listing of instances where Cleveland Clinic has identified a Public Health Service (PHS)-Reportable Financial Conflict of Interest and has put measures in place to ensure that, to the extent possible, the design, conduct and reporting of the research is free from bias.

* Cleveland Clinic physicians and scientists subscribe to the guidance presented in the PhRMA Code on Interactions with Healthcare Professionals and the AdvaMed Code of Ethics on Interactions with Health Care Professionals. As such, gifts of substantial value are generally prohibited.

Patient Satisfaction Reviews

174 Patient Satisfaction Reviews

The Patient Satisfaction Rating is an average of all responses to the care provider related questions shown below from our nationally-recognized Press Ganey Patient Satisfaction Survey. Patients that are treated in outpatient or hospital environments may receive different surveys, and the volume of responses will vary by question.

Responses are measured on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the best score.

The comments are submitted by patients and reflect their views and opinions. The comments are not endorsed by and do not necessarily reflect the views of Cleveland Clinic.

Overall Star Ratings
4.9 out of 5
Explains 4.9
Listens 5
Courtesy, Respect & Concern 4.9
Patient Rating of Doctor 4.9

22 Patient Comments

Reviewed on Apr 4, 2023

I received excellent health care from Dr. Tierney. He went over and above addressing all my issues. Please thank him very much for his care. I would highly recommend Dr. Tierney to any one requiring exemplary care with any ENT issues. I was treated with utmost care and respect.

Reviewed on Mar 15, 2023

Excellent first visit. Both testing and MD visit excellent.

Reviewed on Mar 15, 2023

Everything was good. This is my first time meeting this doctor, and he was excellent.

Reviewed on Mar 15, 2023

The doctor was excellent!

Reviewed on Mar 8, 2023

This was the best interaction I have ever had with a doctor EVER. Dr. Tierney was kind, affable, and really listened to me. He explained everything so well. I felt heard and feel confident that my Issue will get better. Bravo on the bedside manner. Dr. Tierney is a total gem.

Reviewed on Mar 6, 2023

My surgeons office set up appointment, but I will say everyone was great. The doctor was very informative of my problem. Will be seeing him agsin

Reviewed on Dec 30, 2022

Dr. Tierney was thorough and listened to my responses during the appointment. Amazingly, his "notes" associated with my appointment captured everything we discussed....which was lengthly. I did not feel rushed in any way and appreciated his knowledge of my condition (which is relatively uncommon). Also, his explanations and directions were easy for a 75 year old senior to comprehend.

Reviewed on Dec 15, 2022

Dr Tierney is the best. He is very professional and courteous. He is very patient and answers all my questions

Reviewed on Dec 5, 2022

The appointment was a good experience. The doctor was very good and explained everything good to me, although the outcome wasn't as good as I would have liked it to be but that's not the doctors fault

Reviewed on Dec 2, 2022

Dr. Tierney was very helpful in the diagnosis and treatment of the neck problem I have. After my office visit, he remained in contact with the team at Cleveland Clinic who gave me treatments including neck surgery. Although the problem hasn't been completely resolved, I feel I will have a full recovery. I strongly recommend him to anyone with problems with the neck or throat.

Reviewed on Dec 2, 2022

Dr. William S Tierney was very instrumental in getting the treatment I needed.

Reviewed on Nov 4, 2022

Very good doctor! I have already recommended him to a couple people. Explained everything in detail and was very helpful. Extremely kind and gentle, listened to my questions and concerns. He's great!

Reviewed on Oct 21, 2022

Dr Tierney was excellent. Listened to my concerns and repeated back to make sure he got it correct. Made me feel very comfortable during the examine and clearly went through what he saw and recommended path forward. I was very pleased.

Reviewed on Sep 26, 2022

Dr Tierney very clearly explained and answered all my issues

Reviewed on Sep 22, 2022

Dr. Tierney was wonderful!!

Reviewed on Sep 16, 2022

Dr Tierney was very good and thorough.. Explained my issue - reviewed the photo of my vocal chords - explained next steps

Reviewed on Sep 9, 2022

The ENT was pleasurable and explained everything thoroughly. One of the best doctors I have ever visited.

Reviewed on Sep 2, 2022

Doctor Tierney was very nice and made me feel at ease. He explained everything and now I have more knowledge of my condition. He is the Best and I recommend him to everyone!

Reviewed on Aug 24, 2022

I Couldn't of found a better Doctor,thank you..

Reviewed on Aug 23, 2022

The doctor listened, understood my concerns and explained the treatment he recommended.

Reviewed on Aug 23, 2022

Personable, professional, could not have asked for a better doctor visit.

Reviewed on Aug 23, 2022

Dr. Tierney provided exceptional care and went above and beyond in assessing current issues and providing care and guidance. We found him to be a lovely, caring, intelligent man and feel very fortunate to have found him for our ENT needs.The entire staff was friendly, professional and efficient.

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