Dr. Michelle Putnam graduated from UCLA in 1991 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology, at which time she first began her studies in immunology at Cedars Sinai Medical Center. She completed a Masters Degree in 1993 at Boston University, and she then continued her research in the role of B-cell immunology in autoimmunity and diabetes at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda. In 1998, Dr. Putnam received her medical degree, with honors, and was elected to Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society at Albany Medical College in New York. She did an internship in General Surgery and then Residency in Otolaryngology, both at Albany Medical College. She was awarded and completed a  Fellowship with the American Academy of Otolaryngology and Allergy.

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Throughout her residency, Dr. Putnam stayed actively involved in basic science research projects and achieved numerous publications, awards and grants. She served as a representative and administrative board member to both the American College of Surgeons and the American Association of Medical Colleges. Dr. Putnam continues to lecture at prestigious Universities and conferences nationwide. In 2017,

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Dr. Putnam was one of the founding doctors of Westside Head & Neck which was established in 2003.  Dr. Putnam practices general otolaryngology, with special interests in allergy and sinus surgery, pediatric otolaryngology, head and neck oncology, and facial reconstructive & cosmetic plastic surgery. She is also the Chief of Otolaryngology at St John’s Medial Center.  She has staff privileges at St. John’s Medical Center in Santa Monica, UCLA- Ronald Reagan in Westwood, and Southern California Hospital in Culver City.

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Dr. Putnam was recognized by her peers as one of Castle Connolly’s “Top Doctors” in her field in 2017. And recently,  she was featured in Los Angeles Magazine's "Top Doctors" issue for 2018.