Sarah R. Akkina
( out of 111 reviews )

Sarah R. Akkina, MD, MSc

Languages spoken: English

Clinical Locations

Imaging & Neurosciences Center

Salt Lake City
801-585-3223

South Jordan Health Center

Otolaryngology/ENT
South Jordan
801-213-4500

  • Sarah Akkina, MD, MS, is an Assistant Professor and Director of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery in the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at University of Utah Health. Dr. Akkina’s clinical interests include, functional and cosmetic rhinoplasty, aging face (including surgical treatments and injectables), facial trauma, cancer reconstruction, facial nerve damage, congenital anomalies including microtia, and vascular malformations.


    Dr. Akkina is a Stanford fellowship-trained Facial Plastic and Reconstructive surgeon and a board-certified Otolaryngology - Head and Neck surgeon. Her passion for personalized patient care and surgical excellence helps her provide an exceptional experience for her patients. Dr. Akkina also teaches advanced surgical trainees and performs research in the field of facial plastic surgery focused on automating image analysis and improving clinical outcomes.

    While Dr. Akkina is a Colorado native, she left the region after high school to study and train throughout the country. She is an ivy league alumna of the University of Pennsylvania, a medical school alumna of the University of Michigan, and a residency graduate from the University of Washington. She is thrilled to finally return to the mountain west to provide clinical care and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.

    For appointments, please call 801-585-FACE (3223)

    Specialties

    Patient Rating

    4.8 /5
    ( out of 111 reviews )

    The patient rating score is an average of all responses on our patient experience survey. The rating averages scores for all questions about care from our providers.

    The scale on which responses are measured is 1 to 5 with 5 being the best score.

    Patient Comments

    Patient comments are gathered from our patient experience survey and displayed in their entirety.
    Patients are de-identified for confidentiality and patient privacy.

    February 20, 2024
    SOUTH JORDAN HEALTH CENTER

    I loved her! She did a thorough job explaining procedures to me. Her treatment suggestions were very beneficial and helped greatly. Her bedside manner was reassuring and calming.

    February 18, 2024
    SOUTH JORDAN HEALTH CENTER

    She was knowledgeable about the procedure necessary regarding my medical needs.

    February 07, 2024
    CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCES CENTER

    Dr. Akkina is brilliant, articulate, and kind - a truly winning combination. Thank you!

    February 04, 2024
    SOUTH JORDAN HEALTH CENTER

    Dr. Akkina is a caring, very knowledgeable person. She has read all the notes from the other doctors that have written about my care. Thank you.

    January 30, 2024
    SOUTH JORDAN HEALTH CENTER

    Dr. Akkina made me feel comfortable and answered all of my questions. I highly recommend her.

    January 29, 2024
    SOUTH JORDAN HEALTH CENTER

    She was very informative, friendly and listen very well to me and answered all my questions. I will definitely go to her again.

    January 29, 2024
    CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCES CENTER

    Dr Akkina has a way with head and neck cancer patients! I trust her 200% to make recommendations that will really make a difference in both functionality and appearance due to the facial disfigurement caused by my cancer. This is huge.

    January 27, 2024
    CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCES CENTER

    Dr. Akkina addressed my questions and concerns with care and understanding. She detailed the evaluation of my treatments and condition ensuring I understand the progress. I'm happy about my progress, and it is good that no further visits or care are needed at this time.

    January 25, 2024
    CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCES CENTER

    Dr. Akkina is a first rate surgeon! She has confidence in herself and those who work with her. Dr. Akkina is willing to go the extra mile to achieve successful outcomes. You are her number one priority during your appointment. She's efficient, personable, and thorough. She has developed relationships with her staff which make them feel like an important part of her team. Her gentle guidance develops their skills and motivates them to perform their best. I love University of Utah Healthcare and applaud them for attracting exceptional surgeons like Dr. Akkina.

    See More Patient Comments

  • Sarah Akkina, MD, MS, is an Assistant Professor and Director of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery in the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at University of Utah Health. Dr. Akkina’s clinical interests include, functional and cosmetic rhinoplasty, aging face (including surgical treatments and injectables), facial trauma, cancer reconstruction, facial nerve damage, congenital anomalies including microtia, and vascular malformations.


    Dr. Akkina is a Stanford fellowship-trained Facial Plastic and Reconstructive surgeon and a board-certified Otolaryngology - Head and Neck surgeon. Her passion for personalized patient care and surgical excellence helps her provide an exceptional experience for her patients. Dr. Akkina also teaches advanced surgical trainees and performs research in the field of facial plastic surgery focused on automating image analysis and improving clinical outcomes.

    While Dr. Akkina is a Colorado native, she left the region after high school to study and train throughout the country. She is an ivy league alumna of the University of Pennsylvania, a medical school alumna of the University of Michigan, and a residency graduate from the University of Washington. She is thrilled to finally return to the mountain west to provide clinical care and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.

    For appointments, please call 801-585-FACE (3223)

    Board Certification and Academic Information

    Academic Departments Otolaryngology -Primary
    Dermatology -Adjunct

    Education history

    Fellowship Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery - Stanford University School of Medicine Fellow
    National Institutes of Health - Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery - University of Washington Research Fellow
    Residency Otolaryngology - University of Washington Resident
    Clinical Research - University of Michigan School of Public Health M.Sc.
    Professional Medical Medicine - University of Michigan Medical School M.D.
    Health and Societies, International Health - University of Pennsylvania School of Arts and Sciences B.A.

    Selected Publications

    Journal Article

    1. Akkina SR, Saurey TG, Middleton NA, Mattson NR, Brummet S, Phillips JO, Chambers CB, Moe KS, Mudumbai RC (2021). Factors Associated with Ocular Injury in Orbital Fracture Patients: Who Requires Urgent Ophthalmic Evaluation? Facial Plast Surg Aesthet Med. (Read full article)
    2. Akkina SR, Shabbir A, Lahti A, Mudumbai RC, Chambers CB, Moe KS, Phillips JO (2020). Quantifying Eye Alignment in Orbital Fracture Patients: The Digital Hess Screen. Facial Plast Surg Aesthet Med, 22(6), 427-432. (Read full article)
    3. Akkina SR, Kim RY, Stucken CL, Pynnonen MA, Bradford CR (2019). The current practice of open neck mass biopsy in the diagnosis of head and neck cancer: A retrospective cohort study. Laryngoscope Investig Otolaryngol, 4(1), 57-61. (Read full article)
    4. Akkina SR, Ma CC, Kirkham EM, Horn DL, Chen ML, Parikh SR (2019). Does drug induced sleep endoscopy-directed surgery improve polysomnography measures in children with Down Syndrome and obstructive sleep apnea? Acta Otolaryngol, 138(11), 1009-1013. (Read full article)
    5. Akkina SR, Kim RY, Stucken CL, Pynnonen MA, Bradford CR (2018). Is There a Difference in Staging and Treatment of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Tumors Between Tertiary Care and Community-Based Institutions? Laryngoscope Investig Otolaryngol, 3(4), 290-295. (Read full article)
    6. Akkina SR, Parikh SR (2018). Pediatric Septoplasty. Oper Tech Otolayngol Head Neck Surg, 29(2), 66-69.
    7. Leibman RS, Richardson MW, Ellebrecht CT, Maldini CR, Glover JA, Secreto AJ, Kulikovskaya I, Lacey SF, Akkina SR, Yi Y, Shaheen F, Wang J, Dufendach KA, Holmes MC, Collman RG, Payne AS, Riley JL (2017). Supraphysiologic control over HIV-1 replication mediated by CD8 T cells expressing a re-engineered CD4-based chimeric antigen receptor. PLoS Pathog, 13(10), e1006613. (Read full article)
    8. Hu S, Neff CP, Kumar DM, Habu Y, Akkina SR, Seki T, Akkina R (2016). A humanized mouse model for HIV-2 infection and efficacy testing of a single-pill triple-drug combination anti-retroviral therapy. Virology, 501, 115-118. (Read full article)
    9. Akkina SR, Novis SJ, Keshavarzi NR, Pynnonen MA (2016). Academic institution pilot study shows far fewer diagnoses of sinusitis than reported nationally. Laryngoscope Investig Otolaryngol, 1(5), 124-129. (Read full article)
    10. Patel SA, Liu JJ, Murakami CS, Berg D, Akkina SR, Bhrany AD (2016). Complication Rates in Delayed Reconstruction of the Head and Neck After Mohs Micrographic Surgery. JAMA Facial Plast Surg, 18(5), 340-6. (Read full article)
    11. Novis SJ, Akkina SR, Lynn S, Kern HE, Keshavarzi NR, Pynnonen MA (2016). A diagnostic dilemma: chronic sinusitis diagnosed by non-otolaryngologists. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol, 6(5), 486-90. (Read full article)
    12. Pynnonen MA, Lynn S, Kern HE, Novis SJ, Akkina SR, Keshavarzi NR, Davis MM (2015). Diagnosis and treatment of acute sinusitis in the primary care setting: A retrospective cohort. Laryngoscope, 125(10), 2266-72. (Read full article)
    13. Dombecki C, Shah MM, Eke-Usim A, Akkina SR, Ahrens M, Sturm L, Washer L, Foxman B (2015). The impact of role models on hand hygiene compliance. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol, 36(5), 610-2. (Read full article)
    14. Lin GC, Akkina S, Chinn S, Prince ME, McHugh JB, Carey T, Zacharek MA (2014). Sinonasal inverted papilloma: prognostic factors with emphasis on resection margins. J Neurol Surg B Skull Base, 75(2), 140-6. (Read full article)
    15. Lin GC, Scheel A, Akkina S, Chinn S, Graham M, Komarck C, Walline H, McHugh JB, Prince ME, Carey TE, Zacharek MA (2013). Epidermal growth factor receptor, p16, cyclin D1, and p53 staining patterns for inverted papilloma. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol, 3(11), 885-9. (Read full article)
    16. Akkina R, Berges BK, Palmer BE, Remling L, Neff CP, Kuruvilla J, Connick E, Folkvord J, Gagliardi K, Kassu A, Akkina SR (2011). Humanized Rag1-/- γc-/- mice support multilineage hematopoiesis and are susceptible to HIV-1 infection via systemic and vaginal routes. PLoS One, 6(6), e20169. (Read full article)
    17. Berges BK, Akkina SR, Remling L, Akkina R (2009). Humanized Rag2(-/-)gammac(-/-) (RAG-hu) mice can sustain long-term chronic HIV-1 infection lasting more than a year. Virology, 397(1), 100-3. (Read full article)
    18. Berges BK, Akkina SR, Folkvord JM, Connick E, Akkina R (2008). Mucosal transmission of R5 and X4 tropic HIV-1 via vaginal and rectal routes in humanized Rag2-/- gammac -/- (RAG-hu) mice. Virology, 373(2), 342-51. (Read full article)

    Review

    1. Akkina SR, Most SP (2021). Treatment of the Crooked Nose. [Review]. Clin Plast Surg, 49(1), 111-121. (Read full article)
    2. Berens AM, Akkina SR, Patel SA (2017). Complications in facial Mohs defect reconstruction. [Review]. Curr Opin Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg, 25(4), 258-264. (Read full article)

    Book Chapter

    1. Akkina SR, Patel PN, Most SP (Pending). Grafts in Rhinoplasty. In Comprehensive Rhinoplasty: Structural and Preservation Concepts.
    2. Akkina SR, Most SP (Pending). Treatment of the Asymmetric Nose. In Comprehensive Rhinoplasty: Structural and Preservation Concepts.
    3. Akkina SR, Sie KCY (Pending). Chapter 22: Surgery for Velopharyngeal Dysfunction: Furlow Palatoplasty. In Cleft Palate and Velopharyngeal Dysfunction.

  • News & Podcasts

    News

    Podcasts