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Gretchen M. Oakley
( out of 124 reviews )

Gretchen M. Oakley, MD

Languages spoken: English

Clinical Locations

University of Utah Hospital

Otolaryngology/ENT, Area E
801-587-8368
  • Gretchen Oakley, MD, specializes in Rhinology and Skull Base Surgery. Her clinical practice focuses on nasal and sinus diseases, including acute and chronic sinusitis, polyps, nasal and sinus tumors, cerebrospinal fluid leaks, endoscopic orbital surgery, nasal obstruction, and allergy. She works with a large multidisciplinary team that includes neurosurgeons, ophthalmologists, head and neck cancer surgeons, neuroradiologists, and head and neck pathologists to provide comprehensive care to patients and ensure optimal treatment outcomes.

    Outside of her clinical work, she is also involved in Rhinology clinical research and has published several journal articles and book chapters in the field. Her research interests include cerebrospinal fluid leak diagnosis and management, genetic, biologic, and environmental factors in chronic sinusitis, and treatment outcomes of chronic sinusitis. In addition, she serves as the Medical Student Director for Otolaryngology.

    Dr. Oakley received her undergraduate degree from Georgetown University and her medical degree from Saint Louis University School of Medicine. She then completed her Otolaryngology residency at the University of Utah, followed by an international fellowship in Rhinology and Skull Base Surgery in Sydney, Australia.

    She is currently seeing patients at University of Utah Hospital and South Jordan Health Center.

    Board Certification

    American Board of Otolaryngology

    Patient Rating

    4.9 /5
    ( out of 124 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.

    August 25, 2023
    UH HOSPITALS AND CLINICS

    Dr Oakley is an example to be followed in the medical community and in the world at large.

    August 11, 2023
    UH HOSPITALS AND CLINICS

    10/10 would recommend. She listened to my worries and concerns. Explained things thoroughly.

    August 04, 2023
    UH HOSPITALS AND CLINICS

    I thought Dr. Oakley was very professional and helped me a great deal with her knowledge. I was given a lot of good information and am thankful for the MyChart instructions to help me sort it out. I presently feel confident that I can follow the doctor's recommendations and look forward to getting better.

    July 20, 2023
    UH HOSPITALS AND CLINICS

    Love her!

    July 14, 2023
    UH HOSPITALS AND CLINICS

    On this visit, Dr. Oakley gave me her undivided attention. She spent ample time answering all of my many, involved questions. I felt like she differentiated me from other patients and took the time to make me feel heard. It should be noted there werent the distractions of fellows, residents or other assistants present. Having the doctors focused attention made me feel more secure about asking all of my questions and discussing my personal history. I left feeling very sure about my care with Dr. Oakley and the prospect of surgery.

    July 01, 2023
    SOUTH JORDAN HEALTH CENTER

    Always a good experience with Dr Oakley.

    May 19, 2023
    UH HOSPITALS AND CLINICS

    Ive had a long-term issue with my nose which I believe is due to a childhood face/head trauma and it recently got worse where breathing in too hard plugs my ear for days - I also have incessant nasal drip. Ive tried nasal sprays in the past and wasnt too happy about going to a specialist only to be provided something I could over the counter and hasnt worked in the past. Its disheartening when you go to a specialist only to be provided the same level of care you can get from your general provider. I wasnt looking for a bandaid fix and was hoping for help. It just feels dismissive and stopped the treatment because steroid treatments (that I may have to do for the rest of my life) can make things worse if your ever stop them and didnt want to have to deal with something like that on top of my other health issues.

    May 19, 2023
    UH HOSPITALS AND CLINICS

    Thank you Dr Oakley. I believe you truly understand my condition. I feel better already by stopping the previous meds.

    May 13, 2023
    UH HOSPITALS AND CLINICS

    Dr Oakley has offered me options that no one else has considered. I believe she will continue to work with me towards the best solutions available for my specific situation.

  • Gretchen Oakley, MD, specializes in Rhinology and Skull Base Surgery. Her clinical practice focuses on nasal and sinus diseases, including acute and chronic sinusitis, polyps, nasal and sinus tumors, cerebrospinal fluid leaks, endoscopic orbital surgery, nasal obstruction, and allergy. She works with a large multidisciplinary team that includes neurosurgeons, ophthalmologists, head and neck cancer surgeons, neuroradiologists, and head and neck pathologists to provide comprehensive care to patients and ensure optimal treatment outcomes.

    Outside of her clinical work, she is also involved in Rhinology clinical research and has published several journal articles and book chapters in the field. Her research interests include cerebrospinal fluid leak diagnosis and management, genetic, biologic, and environmental factors in chronic sinusitis, and treatment outcomes of chronic sinusitis. In addition, she serves as the Medical Student Director for Otolaryngology.

    Dr. Oakley received her undergraduate degree from Georgetown University and her medical degree from Saint Louis University School of Medicine. She then completed her Otolaryngology residency at the University of Utah, followed by an international fellowship in Rhinology and Skull Base Surgery in Sydney, Australia.

    She is currently seeing patients at University of Utah Hospital and South Jordan Health Center.

    Board Certification and Academic Information

    Academic Departments Otolaryngology -Primary
    Board Certification
    American Board of Otolaryngology

    Education history

    Post Graduate Training Health Sciences Leadership Development Program - University of Utah
    Rhinology and Skull Base Surgery - St. Vincent's Hospital Fellow
    Residency Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery - University of Utah School of Medicine Resident
    Medicine - Saint Louis University School of Medicine M.D.
    Undergraduate Spanish - Georgetown University B.A.

    Selected Publications

    Journal Article

    1. Smith KA, Gill AS, Pollard CE, Sumsion JS, Saffari H, Ashby S, Witt BL, Shipman PA, Gabrielsen DA, Yim MT, Levy JM, Oakley GM, Orlandi RR, Gleich GJ, Alt JA, Pulsipher A (2023). An Eosinophil Peroxidase Activity Assay Accurately Predicts Eosinophilic Chronic Rhinosinusitis. J Allergy Clin Immunol, 152(2), 400-407. (Read full article)
    2. Oakley GM, Smith KA, Ashby S, Orlandi RR, Alt JA (2021). Sleep Dysfunction is an Independent Predictor of Productivity Losses in Patients with Chronic Rhinosinusitis. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol, 130(12), 1332-1339. (Read full article)
    3. Yim MT, Orlandi RR, Oakley GM, Alt JA (2021). The Sinonasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) Is a Poor Diagnostic Tool for Chronic Rhinosinusitis. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol, 130(11), 1220-1227. (Read full article)
    4. Smith KA, Gill AS, Beswick DM, Meeks H, Oakley GM, Yim M, Curtin K, Orlandi RR, Alt JA (2021). Cystic Fibrosis Increases Long-Term Revision Rates of Endoscopic Sinus Surgery in Patients With Comorbid Chronic Rhinosinusitis. Am J Rhinol Allergy, 36(2), 19458924211046719. (Read full article)
    5. Gill AS, Smith KA, Meeks H, Oakley GM, Curtin K, LeClair L, Howe H, Orlandi RR, Alt JA (2021). Asthma increases long-term revision rates of endoscopic sinus surgery in chronic rhinosinusitis with and without nasal polyposis. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol, 11(8), 1197-1206. (Read full article)
    6. Gill AS, Oakley G, Error M, Kelly K, Orlandi R, Alt JA (2021). Optimizing clinical productivity in the otolaryngology clinic during the COVID-19 pandemic. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol, 11(7), 1121-1123. (Read full article)
    7. Blight BJ, Gill AS, Sumsion JS, Pollard CE, Ashby S, Oakley GM, Alt JA, Pulsipher A (2021). Cell Adhesion Molecules are Upregulated and May Drive Inflammation in Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyposis. J Asthma Allergy, 14, 585-593. (Read full article)
    8. Chen PG, Levy JM, Choby G, Smith K, Yao WC, Halderman A, Oakley GM, Brunworth J, Alt JA (2020). Characterizing the complexity of frontal endoscopic sinus surgery: a multi-institutional, prospective, observational trial. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol, 11(5), 941-945. (Read full article)
    9. Gill AS, Ashby S, Oakley GM, Steele TO, Menjivar D, Orlandi RR, Alt JA (2021). Comorbidities Known to Affect Physical Function Negatively Impact Baseline Health-Related Quality-of-Life in Patients With Chronic Rhinosinusitis. Am J Rhinol Allergy, 36(1), 19458924211013610. (Read full article)
    10. Gill AS, Pulsipher A, Sumsion JS, Oakley GM, Leclair LW, Howe H, Orlandi RR, Alt JA (2021). Transcriptional Changes in Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Asthma Favor a Type 2 Molecular Endotype Independent of Polyp Status. J Asthma Allergy, 14, 405-413. (Read full article)
    11. Orlandi RR, Kingdom TT, Smith TL, Bleier B, DeConde A, Luong AU, Poetker DM, Soler Z, Welch KC, Wise SK, Adappa N, Alt JA, Anselmo-Lima WT, Bachert C, Baroody FM, Batra PS, Bernal-Sprekelsen M, Beswick D, Bhattacharyya N, Chandra RK, Chang EH, Chiu A, Chowdhury N, Citardi MJ, Cohen NA, Conley DB, DelGaudio J, Desrosiers M, Douglas R, Eloy JA, Fokkens WJ, Gray ST, Gudis DA, Hamilos DL, Han JK, Harvey R, Hellings P, Holbrook EH, Hopkins C, Hwang P, Javer AR, Jiang RS, Kennedy D, Kern R, Laidlaw T, Lal D, Lane A, Lee HM, Lee JT, Levy JM, Lin SY, Lund V, McMains KC, Metson R, Mullol J, Naclerio R, Oakley G, Otori N, Palmer JN, Parikh SR, Passali D, Patel Z, Peters A, Philpott C, Psaltis AJ, Ramakrishnan VR, Ramanathan M Jr, Roh HJ, Rudmik L, Sacks R, Schlosser RJ, Sedaghat AR, Senior BA, Sindwani R, Smith K, Snidvongs K, Stewart M, Suh JD, Tan BK, Turner JH, van Drunen CM, Voegels R, Wang Y, Woodworth BA, Wormald PJ, Wright ED, Yan C, Zhang L, Zhou B (2020). International consensus statement on allergy and rhinology: rhinosinusitis 2021. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol, 11(3), 213-739. (Read full article)
    12. Miller M, Newberry CI, Witt B, Oakley GM (2020). Sinonasal Teratocarcinosarcoma-A Rare and Highly Aggressive Neoplasm. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. (Read full article)
    13. Lees KA, Orlandi RR, Oakley G, Alt JA (2020). The Role of Macrolides and Doxycycline in Chronic Rhinosinusitis. Immunol Allergy Clin North Am, 40(2), 303-315. (Read full article)
    14. Joyce E, Karsy M, Makarenko S, Oakley GM, Couldwell WT (2020). Application of hybrid cranioendoscopic approaches in anterior skull base surgery. Neurosurg Focus Video, 2(2), V5. (Read full article)
    15. Smith KA, Oakley G, Alt JA, Orlandi RR (2019). An analysis of RUC methodology for determining the RVU valuation of sinus surgery. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol, 9(5), 479-485. (Read full article)
    16. Hunter BN, Cardon B, Oakley GM, Sharma A, Crosby DL (2019). Factors Associated With Patient Nonattendance in Rhinology Clinics. Am J Rhinol Allergy, 33(3), 317-322. (Read full article)
    17. Smith KA, Orlandi RR, Oakley G, Meeks H, Curtin K, Alt JA (2018). Long-term revision rates for endoscopic sinus surgery. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol, 9(4), 402-408. (Read full article)
    18. Abou-Al-Shaar H, Mulvaney GG, Alzhrani G, Gozal YM, Oakley GM, Couldwell WT (2019). Nocardial clival osteomyelitis secondary to sphenoid sinusitis: an atypical skull base infection. Acta Neurochir (Wien), 161(3), 529-534. (Read full article)
    19. Brunner JP, Levy JM, Ada ML, Tipirneni KE, Barham HP, Oakley GM, Cox DR, Nossaman BD, McCoul ED (2018). Total intravenous anesthesia improves intraoperative visualization during surgery for high-grade chronic rhinosinusitis: a double-blind randomized controlled trial. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol, 8(10), 1114-1122. (Read full article)
    20. Oakley GM, Ebenezer J, Hamizan A, Sacks PL, Rom D, Sacks R, Winder M, Davidson A, Teo C, Solares CA, Harvey RJ (2017). Finding the Petroclival Carotid Artery: The Vidian-Eustachian Junction as a Reliable Landmark. J Neurol Surg B Skull Base, 79(4), 361-366. (Read full article)
    21. Oakley GM, Christensen JM, Sacks R, Earls P, Harvey RJ (2018). Characteristics of macrolide responders in persistent post-surgical rhinosinusitis. Rhinology, 56(2), 111-117. (Read full article)
    22. Smith KA, Ashby S, Orlandi RR, Oakley G, Alt JA (2018). The price of pain in chronic rhinosinusitis. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. (Read full article)
    23. Harvey RJ, Snidvongs K, Kalish LH, Oakley GM, Sacks R (2018). Corticosteroid nasal irrigations are more effective than simple sprays in a randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled trial for chronic rhinosinusitis after sinus surgery. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol, 8(4), 461-470. (Read full article)
    24. Oakley GM, Christensen JM, Winder M, Jonker BP, Davidson A, Steel T, Teo C, Harvey RJ (2017). Collagen matrix as an inlay in endoscopic skull base reconstruction. J Laryngol Otol, 132(3), 214-223. (Read full article)
    25. Oakley GM, Harvey RJ, Lund VJ (2017). The Role of Macrolides in Chronic Rhinosinusitis (CRSsNP and CRSwNP). Curr Allergy Asthma Rep, 17(5), 30. (Read full article)
    26. Stewart R Leason1, Henry P Barham2, Gretchen Oakley1, 3, Janet Rimmer4, 5, John M DelGaudio6, Jenna M Christensen1, Raymond Sacks1, 3, 7, Richard J Harvey (03/16/2017). Association of gastro-oesophageal reflux and chronic rhinosinusitis: systematic review and meta-analysis. 2017 Mar 1; 55(1): 3-16. Rhinology.
    27. Hamizan AW, Christensen JM, Ebenzer J, Oakley G, Tattersall J, Sacks R, Harvey RJ (2016). Middle turbinate edema as a diagnostic marker of inhalant allergy. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol, 7(1), 37-42. (Read full article)
    28. Ahmadi N, Christensen JM, Barham HP, Oakley GM, Sacks R, Harvey RJ (2017). Allergic sensitization does not predispose to sinus inflammation in externalized paranasal sinuses. Am J Rhinol Allergy, 31(1), 3-6. (Read full article)
    29. Orb Q, Curtin K, Oakley GM, Wong J, Meier J, Orlandi RR, Alt JA (2016). Familial risk of pediatric chronic rhinosinusitis. Laryngoscope, 126(3), 739-45. (Read full article)
    30. Oakley GM, Alt JA, Schlosser RJ, Harvey RJ, Orlandi RR (2016). Diagnosis of cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea: an evidence-based review with recommendations. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol, 6(1), 8-16. (Read full article)
    31. Oakley GM, Orlandi RR, Woodworth BA, Batra PS, Alt JA (2016). Management of cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea: an evidence-based review with recommendations. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol, 6(1), 17-24. (Read full article)
    32. Oakley GM, Curtin K, Orb Q, Schaefer C, Orlandi RR, Alt JA (2015). Familial risk of chronic rhinosinusitis with and without nasal polyposis: genetics or environment. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol, 5(4), 276-82. (Read full article)
    33. Kaggie JD, Goodrich KC, Kim SE, Beck, MX, Parker, DL, Merrill R, Oakley GM, et al (2015). An improved RF and gradient coil system for high resolution in vivo guinea pig cochlea imaging on a 3T clinical magnet. Concepts Magn Reson Part B Magn Reson Eng, 44(4).
    34. Oakley GM, Curtin K, Layfield L, Jarboe E, Buchmann LO, Hunt JP (2014). Increased melanoma risk in individuals with papillary thyroid carcinoma. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg, 140(5), 423-7. (Read full article)
    35. Oakley GM, Curtin K, Pimentel R, Buchmann L, Hunt J (2013). Establishing a familial basis for papillary thyroid carcinoma using the Utah Population Database. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg, 139(11), 1171-4. (Read full article)
    36. Oakley GM, Costa DJ, Mitchell RB, Sotelo C (2011). Osteosarcoma of the skull base in a 15-year-old boy. Ear Nose Throat J, 90(10), 479-80. (Read full article)
    37. Hindawi YH, Oakley GM, Kinsella CR Jr, Cray JJ, Lindsay K, Scifres AM (2011). Antibiotic duration and postoperative infection rates in mandibular fractures. J Craniofac Surg, 22(4), 1375-7. (Read full article)
    38. Hindawi YH, Oakley GM, Kinsella CR Jr, Cray JJ, Lindsay K, Scifres AM (2011). Antibiotic duration and postoperative infection rates in mandibular fractures. J Craniofac Surg.

    Book Chapter

    1. Gill A, Oakley GM (2021). Other Complications Following Skull Base Reconstruction. Skull Base. In Skull Base.
    2. Oakley GM, Alt JA, Orlandi RO (2017). Endoscopic frontal sinusotomy. In Kennedy DW, Hwang PH (Eds.), Rhinology: Diseases of the Nose, Sinuses, and Skull Base.
    3. Oakley GM, Harvey RJ (2017). Endoscopic Resection of Pterygopalatine Fossa and Infratemporal Fossa Malignancies. In Otolaryngology Clinics of North America.
    4. Oakley GM, Harvey RJ (2017). Endoscopic dissection of the petrocavernous carotid artery: The key for petroclival surgery. In Transnasal Endoscopic Skull Base Surgery.
    5. Oakley GM, Harvey RJ (2016). Topical Steroids.
    6. Oakley GM, Barham HP, Harvey RJ (2016). Utility of Image-Guidance in Frontal Sinus Surgery. In Otolaryngol Clin North Am (49, pp. 975-88). In Endoscopic Sinus Surgery.
    7. Oakley GM, Mobley SR (2014). Scar Revision, Keloids, and Camouflage. In Cumming’s Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery (6th Edition). Elsevier Health Sciences.

    Case Report

    1. Abou-Al-Shaar H, Mulvaney GG, Alzhrani G, Gozal YM, Oakley GM, Couldwell WT (2019). Nocardial clival osteomyelitis secondary to sphenoid sinusitis: an atypical skull base infection. Acta Neurochir (Wien). Mar;161(3):529-534. Acta Neurochir (Wien).
    2. Oakley GM, Murr A (2018). External sinus surgery, American Rhinologic Society website, patient education chapter. May 2018. American Rhinologic Society.
    3. Hamizan AW, Christensen JM, Ebenezer J, Oakley GM, Tattersall J, Sacks R, Harvey RJ (2017). Response to: Defining a diagnostic marker: a pragmatic requirement. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol, 7(6), 634-635.
    4. Oakley GM, Wiggins RH 3rd, Error ME, Meier JD (2013). Radiology quiz case 2. Concha bullosa mucopyocele. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg, 139(4), 421-2. (Read full article)
    5. Oakley GM, Costa DJ, Mitchell RB, Sotelo C (2011). Osteosarcoma of the skull base in a 15-year-old boy. Ear Nose Throat J.