Local ENT Specialists Join SMH First Physicians Group

March 17, 2021 – Sarasota

Sarasota Memorial Health Care System welcomed the ear, nose and throat specialists of the Silverstein Institute into its First Physician Group (FPG) network today, bringing the institute and all 4 of its locations under the FPG umbrella and within the Sarasota Memorial Health Care System, effective March 15, 2021.

Founded in Sarasota in 1979 by board-certified otolaryngologist Herbert Silverstein, MD, FACS, who continues to serve as president of the organization, The Silverstein Institute is an internationally renowned practice dedicated to treating conditions and diseases of the ears, nose and throat, as well as conducting research and driving innovation in the field.

Dr. Silverstein joined the Sarasota Memorial Health Care System’s network of primary and specialty physicians, along with fellow Silverstein Institute physicians Drs. Seth I. Rosenberg, Jack J. Wazen, Moufid John H. Abdo and Neil Nayak. The physician’s assistants, fellows and audiologists who comprise the Silverstein Institute team also joined the FPG team.

In addition to his work with the Silverstein Institute, Dr. Silverstein has been a recognized leader in Otology/Neurotology for more than 40 years and is internationally regarded as a leading authority on Meniere’s disease, including receiving the Prosper Meniere Society’s Gold Medal Honor Award. Dr. Silverstein specializes in the treatment of hearing loss and tinnitus, otosclerosis and inner ear disorders, hyperacusis, Meniere’s disease, dizziness and balance disorders and minimally invasive ear surgery.

Seth I. Rosenberg, MD, FACS, was Dr. Silverstein’s 6th clinical fellow and has been partnering with him in clinical practice since 1991, after serving as an Assistant Professor at the University of Pennsylvania. He has long been involved in research, particularly related to the treatment of paranasal sinus disease. Dr. Rosenberg specializes in hearing and balance disorders, nasal and sinus diseases, balloon sinusplasty, allergy treatment, neurotology and minimally invasive inner ear and sinus surgery.

Jack J. Wazen, MD, FACS, initially joined the Silverstein Institute as its first clinical fellow in 1983, before building a successful practice in New York, where he spent 23 years as a researcher, professor and practitioner with Columbia University and the Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center. A leading authority on hearing and balance disorders, Dr. Wazen has also pioneered new research and treatments for people with single-sided deafness and complex cases of hearing loss. Dr. Wazen specializes in treating hearing loss and tinnitus, otosclerosis and inner ear disorders, sinus disorders, Meniere’s disease, dizziness and balance disorders. He also performs advanced microsurgical procedures, including implantable hearing devices/cochlear implants and surgical removal of acoustic neuromas (tumors). Dr. Wazen currently serves as the Chief of Staff for Sarasota Memorial’s 1,400 medical staff members and advance practice providers.

Moufid John H. Abdo, MD, serves as a general ENT surgeon, treating all types of ear, nose, and throat disorders. He joined the Silverstein Institute in 2017 following 14 years of practice with the UHS Medical Group in New York. Dr. Abdo specializes in treating adult and pediatric patients for hearing loss and nasal and sinus disease, including sinus surgery such as balloon sinuplasty and the treatment of difficult sinus polyp cases, nasal obstruction and obstructive sleep apnea/snoring.

Neil Nayak, MD, treats a wide variety of hearing and balance disorders, including hearing loss, tinnitus, positional vertigo, nasal and sinus diseases, and allergies for both adult and pediatric patients. He completed a five-year residency at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital before joining the Silverstein Institute as the 46th clinical fellow and then as an associate.

The addition of the Silverstein Institute and its team to the hospital-owned physician network reflects a regional effort to address a shortage of specialty physicians in Florida and increasing focus on population health, a nationwide initiative that encourages collaboration and partnerships among providers to better prevent disease and promote the health of patients. 

For patients of First Physicians Group Silverstein Institute, there will be virtually no detectible changes. The phone number will remain the same at 941-366-9222, and aside from the Venice location, the practices will continue to be based in their current offices:

First Physicians Group Silverstein Institute at Floyd Street
1901 Floyd Street
Sarasota, FL 34239

First Physicians Group Silverstein Institute at Blackburn Point
929 S. Tamiami Trail, Ste. 205
Osprey, FL 34229

First Physicians Group Silverstein Institute at Lakewood Ranch
8433 Enterprise Circle, Ste. 150 
Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202

First Physicians Group Silverstein Institute at Longboat Key
546 Bay Isles Road 
Longboat Key, FL 34228