Masaru Ishii, MD

Alexander Hillel specializes in the medical and surgical management of patients who have scar tissue blocking their larynx and/or trachea, a condition called laryngotracheal stenosis. This condition occurs in patients who have had prolonged intubation, an autoimmune disease or a rare disease called idiopathic subglottic stenosis. He also treats patients with voice and throat problems, including spasmodic dysphonia and swallowing difficulty. After he earned his medical degree from the Tulane University School of Medicine, Dr. Hillel completed his residency in otolaryngology–head and neck surgery at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and a fellowship in laryngology and airway surgery at the Emory Voice Center. Dr. Hillel directs a laboratory that seeks to better understand why scar forms in the larynx and trachea. In an effort to improve treatment, he and his team investigate the relationship between the immune system, bacteria and other antigens and scar formation in the airway. He has led a number of clinical trials to improve treatment for subglottic stenosis, including the first interventional study for idiopathic subglottic stenosis. Researchers in Dr. Hillel’s lab are also testing drugs that may halt the progression of, or reverse, scar formation, and they have engineered a drug-eluting stent that is being tested to translate to patients with subglottic stenosis. He holds sponsored grants to conduct his research from the National Institutes of Health, surgical foundations and the medical device industry. In addition to clinical and research work, Dr. Hillel has a leadership role within the Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, serving as the vice director of education.

Dr. Alisa Mae Coker is a highly regarded assistant professor of surgery at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, specializing in minimally invasive, bariatric, and foregut surgery. She is known for her expertise in robotic general surgery and leads surgical education within the Johns Hopkins Health System. With a solid educational foundation from the University of Colorado and extensive training at the University of California, Dr. Coker has contributed to the field through her research on pre-operative factors and advancements in surgical technology. She maintains active membership in several professional organizations, reflecting her commitment to the surgical community and patient care. Generated from the website

UM Shore Medical Group - Women's Health providers focus on diagnosis and treatment of diseases and conditions affecting a woman's physical and mental health. Open second and fourth Tuesdays of the month from 8:30 am-4:30 pm.