Sept. 14, 2022

This paid piece is sponsored by Sanford Health.

After practicing medicine in other parts of the country, Dr. Sundeep Alapati has joined Sanford Health as a head and neck surgical oncologist at Sanford Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic in Sioux Falls. He is optimistic about Sanford Health and all it has to offer.

“I’m really looking forward to being at a health system that does the little things,” Alapati said. “I think it makes it easier to practice medicine and a lot easier to care for patients.”

Before Alapati moved to South Dakota, Sanford Health was the only thing he knew about the state.

“The reputation is fantastic,” Alapati said. “My father was a travel ER physician and worked at various Sanford hospitals. He said it was the best hospital system he worked for in his 40-year career.”

Vast experiences

Alapati brings a wealth of experience and wisdom to his role as a head and neck surgeon, including a fellowship in head and neck surgical oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City.

After his fellowship, Alapati served as the director of head and neck surgery at the Jacobi Medical Center in the Bronx. During that time, he also served as an assistant professor of otorhinolaryngology, and head and neck surgery at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine.

“I got to see a lot of interesting things from people from all over the world, with New York City being as diverse as it is,” Alapati said. “I got to participate in great research projects as well, and my mentors were world-renowned.”

After New York, Alapati moved back to his hometown of Huntsville, Alabama, and started a head and neck surgery program.

“I started six months before COVID-19, which presented many challenges,” he said. “However, I was extremely busy, and that helped me grow.”

Many hats

Alapati’s expertise as a head and neck surgeon is not limited to oncology.

Besides treating patients with head and neck cancer, Alapati has developed a strong interest in thyroid disease.

“It’s almost always curable,” he said. “You really get to think about the quality of life. We’re focused on avoiding over-treatment, including procedures that could be debilitating.”

Alapati also helps patients who struggle with sleep apnea.

“I started building that as part of my practice and found I enjoyed it. I found it to be very rewarding because you can help people quickly.”

Philosophy of individualized care

Whatever the diagnosis, Alapati takes a scientific approach that focuses on an individual’s needs and circumstances, helping him tailor their treatment plans.

“As a physician, you’re happiest when your patients are happy and doing well,” Alapati said. “I just want them to have the best possible outcomes.”