Zainab Farzal, M.D.

Biography

Zainab Farzal, M.D., M.P.H., is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Otolaryngology at UT Southwestern Medical Center. Her clinical interests include the management of benign and malignant tumors of the head and neck, transoral robotic surgery (TORS), thyroid and parathyroid surgery, salivary gland surgery, and microvascular reconstructive surgery.

Dr. Farzal earned her medical degree at UT Southwestern Medical School, receiving a distinction in research. During medical school, she completed a predoctoral NIH T-32 research fellowship at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill (UNC). Dr. Farzal then completed her NIH-funded research track residency in otolaryngology and head and neck surgery at UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill. She also earned a master’s degree in public health with a focus on public health leadership at UNC during her residency. She then gained advanced training through a fellowship in head and neck surgical oncology and microvascular reconstructive surgery at UCSF Health in San Francisco.

Dr. Farzal has been a national leader in otolaryngology, beginning with her years in training. She chaired the American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery’s Section for Residents and Fellows and served as the resident/fellow representative to the American College of Surgeons Advisory Council for Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery for three years.

She returned to Dallas and joined the faculties of UT Southwestern and its Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center and Parkland Memorial Hospital in 2024.

Dr. Farzal is a member of the American Head and Neck Society, serving on the organization’s Women in Head and Neck Surgery Service, Diversity Service, and Population Health and Clinical Research Service. Also a member of the American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, she serves on the editorial board of the organization’s peer-reviewed journals Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery and OTO Open. She is also a peer reviewer for Head & Neck.

She has presented her research at numerous national and international venues and published more than 50 articles in academic journals related to her areas of expertise. At UT Southwestern, she is continuing her head and neck cancer health disparities research and is serving as a 2024-2026 Health Equity Scholar at Parkland Health.

Personal Note

When she’s not at work, Dr. Farzal loves listening to podcasts and audiobooks, traveling and experiencing new cultures, hiking, and spending time with her family.