Photo of Denis  Lafreniere, M.D.

Denis Lafreniere, M.D.

Professor of Surgery
Chief, Division of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery
Medical Director, UConn Medical Group
Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs
NPI Number:
1699771691
Academic Office Location:
Surgery
UConn Health
263 Farmington Avenue
Farmington, CT 06030-8083
Phone: 860-679-3204
860-679-3372
Fax: 860-679-6564
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Education
DegreeInstitutionMajor
B.S.Roger Williams UniversityMarine Biology/Chemistry
M.S.Southern Connecticut State UniversityBiology
M.D.University of Connecticut School of MedicineMedicine

Post-Graduate Training
TrainingInstitutionSpecialty
InternshipSaint Francis Hospital and Medical CenterGeneral Surgery
ResidencyUniversity of Connecticut School of MedicineOtolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery

Awards
Name of Award/HonorAwarding Organization
Faculty Leadership Award for Outstanding Leadership- UConn Health Division of OtolaryngologyUconn Health- Otolaryngology
Servant Leader Award - Hospital for Special CareHospital for Special Care
Dedicated Leader AwardAAO-HNS
Leadership and AdvocacyBOG AAO-HNS
Board of Directors Certificate of HonorAAO-HNS
Leadership and Dedication to the Improvement of ENT MedicineCT ENT Society
Member of Excellence in State Advocacy - 2006BOG
Gerald Leonard Teaching AwardUConn Health
Member of Excellence in State Advocacy - 2005BOG
Ear and Hearing Editor's Award for Outstanding Research in the Audiology and Hearing Sciences Ear and Hearing
ARO Resident Travel Award
Second Place - 1991New England Otolaryngologic Society Resident Case Competition
Second Place - 1989New England Otolaryngologic Society Resident Case Competition
Marine Biology AwardRoger Williams University
Freshman Chemistry AwardRoger Williams University

Voice Disorders and Taste and Smell Disorders

Name & DescriptionCategoryRoleTypeScopeStart YearEnd Year
PTN CommitteeAdvisory CommitteeClinical AdvisorUConn HealthLocal2016
Senior Executive Team Leadership MeetingOtherMemberUConn HealthLocal2015
Clinical Council - ChairOtherChairUConn HealthUniversity2013
American Academy of Otolaryngology- Head & Neck Surgery, Board of GovernorsProfessional/Scientific OrganizationChairExternalInternational20122013
American Academy of Otolaryngology- Head & Neck Surgery, Board of DirectorsProfessional/Scientific OrganizationMemberExternalInternational20112014
American Academy of Otolaryngology- Head & Neck Surgery, Board of DirectorsProfessional/Scientific OrganizationMember, Executive CommitteeExternalInternational20112014
American Academy of Otolaryngology- Head & Neck Surgery, Board of GovernorsProfessional/Scientific OrganizationChair ElectExternalInternational20112012
New Construction Project Building CommitteeAdvisory CommitteeMemberUConn HealthUniversity20112014
Clinical CouncilEducation CommitteeChairUConn HealthUniversity2011
American Academy of Otolaryngology- Head & Neck Surgery, Board of Governors, Socio-economic & Grass Roots CommitteeProfessional/Scientific JournalChairExternalInternational20102011
Clinical Strategic Planning CommitteeAdvisory CommitteeMemberUConn HealthUniversity20102015
Department of Medicine search CommitteeAdvisory CommitteeChairmanUConn HealthUniversity20102011
American Broncho-Esophageal AssociationProfessional/Scientific OrganizationMemberExternalNational2009
American Academy of Otolaryngology- Head & Neck Surgery, Board of Governors, Socio-economic & Grass Roots CommitteeProfessional/Scientific OrganizationCo-chairExternalInternational20092010
Medical BoardProfessional/Scientific OrganizationMemberExternalState2009
QRM CommitteeAdvisory CommitteeMemberUConn HealthUniversity20092018
Clinical Affairs Subcommittee, Board of DirectorsAdvisory CommitteeMemberUConn HealthUniversity2009
Connecticut ENT SocietyProfessional/Scientific OrganizationPast PresidentExternalLocal20082010
American Academy of Otolaryngology- Head & Neck Surgery, Board of Governors, Nominating CommitteeProfessional/Scientific OrganizationMemberExternalInternational20082009
Next Gen Steering CommitteeAdvisory CommitteeMemberUConn HealthUniversity20082015
UMG Task ForceAdvisory CommitteeChairmanUConn HealthUniversity20082009
New England Otolaryngological SocietyProfessional/Scientific OrganizationPresidentExternalRegional20072008
Voice Foundation Scientific Advisory BoardAdvisory CommitteememberExternalInternational2007
American Academy of Otolaryngology- Head & Neck Surgery, Connecticut ENT SocietyProfessional/Scientific OrganizationGovernorExternalNational20062008
Connecticut ENT SocietyProfessional/Scientific OrganizationPresidentExternalLocal20062008
Connecticut ENT SocietyProfessional/Scientific OrganizationTreasurerExternalLocal20042006
New England Otolaryngological SocietyProfessional/Scientific OrganizationMember, Executive CommitteeExternalRegional2001
Operations SubcommitteeAdvisory CommitteeMemberUConn HealthUniversity2001
Voice Foundation Scientific Advisory BoardProfessional/Scientific OrganizationMemberExternalNational1999
American College of SurgeonsProfessional/Scientific OrganizationFellowExternalNational1994
Laser CommitteeAdvisory CommitteeChairmanUConn HealthUniversity19942009
American Academy of Otolaryngology- Head & Neck SurgeryProfessional/Scientific OrganizationFellowExternalInternational1992

Laryngology and Taste and Smell Disorders

Journal Articles

Books

  • Holm, A., Lafreniere, D. Zenkers Diverticulum- An Internists Illustrated Guide to Gastrointestinal Surgery 2003 Jun;

Book Chapters

  • Evaluation & Treatment of Taste & Smell Disorders
    Lafreniere, Denis Up to Date 2015 Nov;
  • Anatomy & Etiology of Taste & Smell Disorders
    Lafreniere, Denis Up to Date 2015 Apr;
  • Infections of the Ear, Nose & Throat
    Leonard, G., Lafreniere, D. Oral & Maxillofacial Infections 1994 Jun;

Abstracts

  • Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emissions in Normal Neonatal Ears
    Lafreniere, D., Smurzynski, J., Leonard, G., Kim, D.O. Otolaryngology H & N Surg 1990 Sep;103

Conference Papers

Reviews

Title or AbstractTypeSponsor/EventDate/YearLocation
“The Microbiome of the Larynx in the Healthy and Diseased State” Samantha Frank MD, Ruwaa Samarrai MD, Dong-binh Tran PhD, Nehal Navali BS, George Weinstock PhD, Daniel Roberts MD PhD, Denis Lafreniere MD. Voice Foundation 50th Annual Symposia, Philadelphia PA. 6/4/2022.TalkThe Voice Foundation Annual Symposium2022Philadelphia
“Complications of Tracheostomy and ETT Intubation.” National Association of Long-Term Care Hospitals, Spring Educational Meeting. Scottsdale Arizona April 21, 2022.TalkNALTCH Annual Meeting2022Scottsdale AZ
Safe Medical and Therapeutic Evaluation of Voice Patients During the COVID Pandemic.TalkVoice Foundation Annual Symposium2021Philadelphia/Virtual
Care of the Professional VoiceLectureCT ENT Society Fall 2020 Program2020Virtual
The Opioid Epidemic: How we Got Here, How we End itLectureNew England Otolaryngologic Society2019Waltham, Massachussets
Laryngeal PapillomatosisLectureOtolaryngology Alumni conference2018Uconn Health
Pitch Perfect: Keeping Your Voice HealthyTalkUConn Health Discovery series2016Farmington, CT
The human voice: Anatomy, physiology & common conditionsLectureUConn Health-World Voice Day Symposium2016Farmington, CT
In Office ENT ProceduresLectureUCHC: Current Clinical Medicine2016Farmington, CT
Patient SatisfactionTalkAAO-HNS BOG Meeting2015Dallas, TX
Implications of ICD-10 on ENT PracticePanel DiscussionAmerican Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery2013Washington, DC
Narrow Band Imaging of Laryngeal HyperkeratosisTalkConnecticut ENT Society Meeting 2013Plantsville, Connecticut
Voice Rehabilitation after Thyroid/Parathyroid SurgeryTalkOtolaryngology Alumni Conference2012Farmington, Connecticut
Narrow Band Imaging in Vocal Cord HyperkeratosisTalkThe Voice Foundation 40th Annual Symposium 2011Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Maintenance of Privileges: What our Residents can Teach usLectureAmerican Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery2011Alexandria, Virginia
The Model State ENT SocietyTalkAmerican Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery2010Boston, Massachusetts
Laryngologic Applications of BotoxTalkOtolaryngology Alumni Conference2010Farmington, Connecticut
The Aging VoiceTalkWorld Voice Day Program, UCHC2010Farmington, Connecticut
Aerodigestive Applications of BotoxTalkNew England Otolaryngologic Society 2010Boston, Massachusetts
Management of PresbyphoniaTalkConnecticut ENT Society 2009Plantsville, Connecticut
Care of the Professional VoiceTalkWorld Voice Day Program2009Farmington, Connecticut
Laryngology for the Elderly PatientTalkNew England Otolaryngology Society 2009Boston, Massachusetts
Evaluation of Taste and Smell DisordersTalkAmerican Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery2008Chicago, Illinois
Evaluation of Taste and Smell disordersLectureAmerican Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery2007Washington, DC
Botulinum Toxin use in ENT Laryngeal EMGTalk11th Annual Otolaryngology Alumni Conference2007Farmington, Connecticut
Outcomes and Cost Analysis of Maximum Medical Treatment of Laryngeal GranulomasTalkAmerican Laryngeal Association 2006Chicago, Illinois
Update on Disorders of SmellTalk10th Annual Otolaryngology Alumni Conference2006Farmington, Connecticut
Office Based Procedures of Larynx and EsophagusTalkConnecticut ENT Society Meeting 2006Southington, Connecticut
Do Osteoporoses Treatments Cause Laryngopharyngeal RefluxTalkVoice Foundation 33rd Annual Symposia 2004Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Dynamic and Histologic Properties of the Rabbit Larynx after Laryngotracheal Reconstruction with PGA/PLA CopolymerTalkASPO 19th Annual Meeting2004Phoenix, Arizona
Botox Applications for the Treatment of Essential TremorTalkEssential Tremor Support Group of Western Massachusetts 2004Holyoke, Massachusetts
Do Osteoporoses Treatments Cause Laryngopharyngeal RefluxTalkThe Voice Foundation 33rd Symposia2004
Dynamic and Histologic Properties of the Rabbit Larynx after Laryngotracheal Reconstruction with PGA/PLLA CopolymerTalkASPO Annual Meeting2004
Taste and Smell DisordersTalkMohegan Sun 2004Uncasville, Connecticut
Difficult Sinus Case PresentationsPanel DiscussionConnecticut ENT Society Meeting 2004Cromwell, Connecticut
Spasmodic Dysphonia UpdateTalkSpasmodic Dysphonia Support Group CT Chapter2003Farmington, Connecticut
Otolaryngologic Applications of Botulinum ToxinTalkDiscovery Series, University of Connecticut Health Center 2003Farmington, Connecticut
Otolaryngologic Manifestations of Laryngopharyngeal RefluxTalkConnecticut ENT Society Meeting 2003New Haven, Connecticut
Retrospective Analysis of Treatment Outcomes for Individuals with Paradoxical Vocal Cord Motions, Irritable Larynx Syndrome and Chronic Cough: Using Guided Imagery as a Therapeutic TechniqueTalkThe Voice Foundation 31st Annual Symposia 2002Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Otolaryngologic Applications of Botulinum ToxinTalkMedicine Update, University of Connecticut Health Center 2002Farmington, Connecticut
Non-CA Tumors – LarynxTalk7th Annual ENT Alumni Conference2002Farmington, Connecticut
Malignant Mimickers of the LarynxTalkThe Voice Foundation 31st Annual Symposia 2002Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Otolaryngologic Applications of Botulinum ToxinTalkConnecticut State Otolaryngologic Society 2001Cromwell, Connecticut
Antibiotics – Current Recommendations for SinusitisTalk6th Annual Alumni Conference, University of Connecticut Health Center 2001Farmington, Connecticut
Otolaryngology Applications of LactosorbTalkW. Lorenz, Inc. 2000Jacksonville, Florida
Trauma to the Ear, Nose and Throat – Identification and ManagementTalkHead and Neck Trauma Conference – Health South2000Hartford, Connecticut
Evaluation and Management of Patients with Taste & Smell DisordersTalkNew England Otolaryngological Society Meeting 2000Boston, Massachusetts
Spasmodic DysphoniaTalkDystonia Foundation North East Symposium2000Farmington, Connecticut
Spasmodic Dysphonia - UpdateTalkSpasmodic Dysphonia Support Group, CT Chapter1999Farmington, Connecticut
Allergy, Sinus Disease and the Sense of SmellTalkMeadows Music Theater 1999Hartford, Connecticut
Combined Approach to Benign Lesions of the LarynxTalk4th Annual ENT Alumni Conference1999Farmington, Connecticut
Soft Tissue Response in the Rabbit Larynx following implantation of Lactosorb (PLA/PGA Copolymer) Prostheses for Medialization LaryngoplastyTalkThe Voice Foundation 28th Annual Symposia 1999Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Growth Related Oncogene – Alpha Expression in Human Nasal PolypsTalkARO 22nd Annual Meeting 1999St. Petersburg, Florida
Diagnosis & Treatment of Neurologic Disorders of the LarynxTalk4thAnnual ENT Alumni Conference1999Farmington, Connecticut
The Anatomy of a Voice Evaluation: How we do itTalk4th Annual ENT Alumni Conference1999Farmington, Connecticut
Combined Approach to Benign Lesions of the LarynxTalkConnecticut State ENT Society 1998Cromwell, Connecticut
The Use of PLA/PGA Copolymer as a Graft in Laryngotracheal ReconstructionsTalkASPO 13th Annual Meeting 1998Palm Beach, Florida
Update on the Use of Botulinum Toxin in Spasmodic DysphoniaTalkSpasmodic Dysphonia Support Group, CT Chapter1997Farmington, Connecticut
Anatomy and Physiology of Voice ProductionTalkHartt School of Music, Undergraduate majors program 1997Hartford, Connecticut
Expression of Interferon Gamma in Nasal PolyposisTalkThe Triologic Society Eastern Section Annual Meeting 1997
Expression of TGF-B I and II in Middle Ear EffusionsTalk20th Annual ARO Midwinter Meeting1997
Expression of Interleukin 10 in Nasal PolyposisTalk20th Annual ARO Midwinter Meeting1997
Expression of Interleukin 10 in Nasal PolyposisTalkARO 20th Annual Meeting 1997St. Petersburg, Florida
Expression of Transforming Growth Factor Beta I and II in Middle Ear EffusionsTalkARO 20th Annual Meeting 1997St. Petersburg, Florida
Expression of Interferon Gamma in Nasal PolyposisTalkEastern Section of the Triological Society 1997Boston, Massachusetts
Interferon Gamma Expression in Nasal PolyposisTalkARO 19th Annual Meeting 1996St. Petersburg, Florida
Clinical Assessment of Voice DisordersTalkHartt School of Music 1996Hartford, Connecticut
Care of the Professional VoiceTalkHartt School of Music1996Hartford, Connecticut
Spasmodic Dysphonia - UpdateTalkSpasmodic Dysphonia Support Group, CT Chapter1996Farmington, Connecticut
Interferon Gamma Expression in Nasal PolyposisTalk19th Annual ARO Midwinter Meeting1996
Ear, Nose & Throat Complications and Treatments in Patients with MucopolysaccharidosesTalkNational MPS Society 1996Hartford, Connecticut
Audiometric Thresholds, Click-Evoked and Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emissions in Ears with Ventilating TubesPosterARO 18th Annual Meeting 1995St. Petersburg, Florida
Care of the Professional VoiceTalkHartt School of Music1995Hartford, Connecticut
Audiometric Thresholds, Click-Evoked and Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emissions in Ears with Ventilating TubesTalk18th Annual ARO Midwinter Meeting1995
Spasmodic DysphoniaTalkDystonia Medical Research Foundation Conference1995Farmington, Connecticut
Topical Corticosteroid Treatment of Nasal/Sinus Disease Olfactory LossTalkAssociation for Chemoreception Sciences 16th Annual Meeting 1994Sarasota, Florida
Assessment and Surgical Management of Voice DisordersTalkCharlotte Hungerford Hospital1994Torrington, Connecticut
Care of the Professional VoiceTalkConnecticut Chapter National Association of Teachers 1994Farmington, Connecticut
Topical Corticosteroid Treatment of Nasal/Sinus Disease Olfactory LossTalkAssoc for Chemoreception Sciences Annual Meeting in Chemical Senses1994
Surgical Vocal RehabilitationTalkLaryngectomee Workshop, University of Connecticut 1993Storrs, Connecticut
Distortion Product and Click Evoked Otoacoustic Emissions in the Evaluation of Hearing in Premature Infants in the NICUTalkAmerican Pediatric Society and Society of Pediatric Research 1992Baltimore, Maryland
Otoacoustic Emissions in Newborns at Risk for Hearing LossTalkAmerican Laryngological Rhinological and Otological Society1992Palm Desert, California
Statistical Analyses of Distortion Product and Click Evoked Otoacoustic Emissions of Healthy NewbornsTalkARO 15th Annual Meeting 1992St. Petersburg, Florida
Perspectives on Otoacoustic Emissions ApplicationsPanel DiscussionConnecticut Speech-Language Hearing Association Meeting 1992Cromwell, Connecticut
Distortion Product and Click Evoked Otoacoustic Emissions in the Evaluation of Hearing in Premature Infants in the NICUTalkAm Ped Society and Soc Ped Research1992
Statistical Analysis of Distortion Product and Click Evoked Otoacoustic Emissions of Healthy NewbornsTalk15th Annual ARO Midwinter meeting1992
Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emissions in Normal Neonatal EarsTalkAAO-HNS Annual Meeting 1990San Diego, California