Gretchen M. Oakley
( out of 223 reviews )

Gretchen M. Oakley, MD

Languages spoken: English

Clinical Locations

South Jordan Health Center

South Jordan
801-213-4500

Ear, Nose, & Throat Clinic

Otolaryngology/ENT, Area E
Salt Lake City
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.

    Specialties

    Board Certification

    American Board of Otolaryngology

    Patient Rating

    4.9 /5
    ( out of 223 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. For the convenience of our visitors, some patient comments have been translated from their original language into English while preserving their original meaning as accurately as possible. Patients are de-identified for confidentiality and patient privacy.

    March 26, 2025
    SOUTH JORDAN HEALTH CENTER

    Dr. Oakley is very knowledgeable and professional. I had a cyst on the inside of my nasal cavity. She explained what leaving it there could mean, and about removing it and what it would be like. After removing it, I saw vast improvements. She is skilled, explains a way that is easy to understand, and sincerely cared about my well-being. I highly recommend her.

    March 12, 2025
    UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL

    Feeling hopeful, Dr. Oakley was wonderful

    March 11, 2025
    SOUTH JORDAN HEALTH CENTER

    Dr. Oakley is kind, attentive, incredibly knowledgeable. I appreciate her careful attention to my thoughts & questions more than anything, she took the time to make sure I understood & listened to my preferences/feedback.

    February 28, 2025
    UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL

    Excellent care and bed-side manner. Thanks

    February 15, 2025
    UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL

    I am so impressed with Dr. Gretchen Oakley. She is thorough, knowledgeable and a highly competent surgeon. She diagnosed the cause of my persistent sinus infection, and recommend a surgical procedure. She performed the surgery, and I have been healing. I had minimal pain, and a superior resolution to the problem. I would highly recommend her. She is not just a great doctor, but a caring physician as well. Her team is amazing.

    February 12, 2025
    SOUTH JORDAN HEALTH CENTER

    Exceptional level of professional expertise combined with very good interpersonal skills

    January 24, 2025
    UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL

    Fabulous. Very knowledgeable and very personable.

    January 08, 2025
    UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL

    I felt well cared-for, thank you-

    December 05, 2024
    UH HOSPITALS AND CLINICS

    Took time to explain in detail about my areas of concern and made me feel heard. Seems very competent as an ENT doctor.

    See More Patient Comments

  • 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: Head & Neck Surgery -Associate Professor (Clinical)
    Board Certification
    American Board of Otolaryngology

    Education history

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

    Selected Publications

    Journal Article

    1. Massey CJ, Oakley GM, Orlandi RR, Ashby S, Alt JA, Smith KA, Pulsipher A (2024). An eosinophil peroxidase activity assay predicts acute exacerbations in post-operative chronic rhinosinusitis. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol, 14(9), 1517-1520. (Read full article)
    2. Whitehead KJ, Toydemir D, Wooderchak-Donahue W, Oakley GM, McRae B, Putnam A, McDonald J, Bayrak-Toydemir P (2024). Investigation of the Genetic Determinants of Telangiectasia and Solid Organ Arteriovenous Malformation Formation in Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia (HHT). Int J Mol Sci, 25(14). (Read full article)
    3. Mahomva CR, Smith KA, Minkah PAB, Witt BL, Oakley GM, Orlandi RR, Alt JA, Pulsipher A (2024). Chemokine CCL19 and Its Receptors CCR7 and CCRL1 in Chronic Rhinosinusitis. J Inflamm Res, 17, 2991-3002. (Read full article)
    4. Kuan EC, Wang EW, Adappa ND, Beswick DM, London NR Jr, Su SY, Wang MB, Abuzeid WM, Alexiev B, Alt JA, Antognoni P, Alonso-Basanta M, Batra PS, Bhayani M, Bell D, Bernal-Sprekelsen M, Betz CS, Blay JY, Bleier BS, Bonilla-Velez J, Callejas C, Carrau RL, Casiano RR, Castelnuovo P, Chandra RK, Chatzinakis V, Chen SB, Chiu AG, Choby G, Chowdhury NI, Citardi MJ, Cohen MA, Dagan R, Dalfino G, Dallan I, Dassi CS, de Almeida J, Dei Tos AP, DelGaudio JM, Ebert CS, El-Sayed IH, Eloy JA, Evans JJ, Fang CH, Farrell NF, Ferrari M, Fischbein N, Folbe A, Fokkens WJ, Fox MG, Lund VJ, Gallia GL, Gardner PA, Geltzeiler M, Georgalas C, Getz AE, Govindaraj S, Gray ST, Grayson JW, Gross BA, Grube JG, Guo R, Ha PK, Halderman AA, Hanna EY, Harvey RJ, Hernandez SC, Holtzman AL, Hopkins C, Huang Z, Huang Z, Humphreys IM, Hwang PH, Iloreta AM, Ishii M, Ivan ME, Jafari A, Kennedy DW, Khan M, Kimple AJ, Kingdom TT, Knisely A, Kuo YJ, Lal D, Lamarre ED, Lan MY, Le H, Lechner M, Lee NY, Lee JK, Lee VH, Levine CG, Lin JC, Lin DT, Lobo BC, Locke T, Luong AU, Magliocca KR, Markovic SN, Matnjani G, McKean EL, Meo C, Mendenhall WM, Michel L, Naara S, Nicolai P, Nuss DW, Nyquist GG, Oakley GM, Omura K, Orlandi RR, Otori N, Papagiannopoulos P, Patel ZM, Pfister DG, Phan J, Psaltis AJ, Rabinowitz MR, Ramanathan M Jr, Rimmer R, Rosen MR, Sanusi O, Sargi ZB, Schafhausen P, Schlosser RJ, Sedaghat AR, Senior BA, Shrivastava R, Sindwani R, Smith TL, Smith KA, Snyderman CH, Solares CA, Sreenath SB, Stamm A, Stlzel K, Sumer B, Surda P, Tajudeen BA, Thompson LDR, Thorp BD, Tong CCL, Tsang RK, Turner JH, Turri-Zanoni M, Udager AM, van Zele T, VanKoevering K, Welch KC, Wise SK, Witterick IJ, Won TB, Wong SN, Woodworth BA, Wormald PJ, Yao WC, Yeh CF, Zhou B, Palmer JN (2024). International Consensus Statement on Allergy and Rhinology: Sinonasal Tumors. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol, 14(2), 149-608. (Read full article)
    5. 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)
    6. 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)
    7. 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)
    8. 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)
    9. 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)
    10. 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)
    11. 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)
    12. 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)
    13. 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)
    14. 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)
    15. 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)
    16. 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)
    17. 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)
    18. 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)
    19. 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)
    20. 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)
    21. 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)
    22. 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)
    23. 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)
    24. 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)
    25. 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)
    26. Leason SR, Barham HP, Oakley G, Rimmer J, DelGaudio JM, Christensen JM, Sacks R, Harvey RJ (03/16/2017). Association of gastro-oesophageal reflux and chronic rhinosinusitis: systematic review and meta-analysis. 2017 Mar 1; 55(1): 3-16. Rhinology, 55(1), 3-16.
    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. 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)
    34. 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)
    35. 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)

    Review

    1. Lees KA, Orlandi RR, Oakley G, Alt JA (2020). The Role of Macrolides and Doxycycline in Chronic Rhinosinusitis. [Review]. Immunol Allergy Clin North Am, 40(2), 303-315. (Read full article)
    2. Oakley GM, Harvey RJ, Lund VJ (2017). The Role of Macrolides in Chronic Rhinosinusitis (CRSsNP and CRSwNP). [Review]. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep, 17(5), 30. (Read full article)

    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. Miller M, Newberry CI, Witt B, Oakley GM (2020). Sinonasal Teratocarcinosarcoma-A Rare and Highly Aggressive Neoplasm. Online ahead of print. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. (Read full article)
    2. 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)
    3. 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).
    4. Oakley GM, Murr A (2018). External sinus surgery, American Rhinologic Society website, patient education chapter. May 2018. American Rhinologic Society.
    5. 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.
    6. 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)
    7. 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)

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