Ilpo
Kinnunen
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Areas of expertise
Biography
I serve as Professor of Otorhinolaryngology (ENT) at the University of Turku and Chief Physician at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology at Turku University Hospital. My expertise lies in head and neck surgery and the treatment of tumours in this region, which is the primary focus of both my clinical work and my research.
I completed my specialization in Otorhinolaryngology in 1997 and finished my PhD in 2003, both at the University of Turku. I finished an additional training program in head and neck surgery in 2007. Since 2010, I have been an Associate Professor (docent) in Otorhinolaryngology at the University of Turku. From 2011 to 2019, I was responsible for head and neck surgery within the Wellbeing Services County of Southwest Finland including professional training in the field. From 2019 to 2026, I served as the Head of the Otorhinolaryngology unit at Turku University Hospital.
Teaching
I served as a clinical lecturer at the University of Turku from 2001 to 2004. Throughout my career, I have also been involved in national-level specialist medical training and continuing medical education. Furthermore, I have served as the educator for the subspecialty training program in head and neck surgery. In my current role as Professor of Otorhinolaryngology, my primary teaching responsibility is the undergraduate education of medical students. I have mentored five completed PhD theses.
I have served as a member of the organizing committee of the Congress for Continued Medical Education in Turku during 2002-2012 and President of the committee during 2011-2012. I have acted as President of Finnish Society for Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery during 2023-2024.
Research
Since completing my doctoral thesis in 2003, I have continued my research, focusing on clinical studies within the field of Otorhinolaryngology—particularly head and neck surgery. My research interests include surgical issues, health-related quality of life, and the evaluation of the effectiveness of various treatment modalities. In particular, my research has centered on the diagnosis and treatment of benign and malignant tumors of the head and neck, facial trauma, and severe infections.