Nikki Schmitt, MD, FACS

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One star
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Rating: 5 out of 5 (110 ratings)

Role

Otolaryngology
Specialty

Head and Neck Cancer
Research Program

Discovery and Developmental Therapeutics
Practicing Since

2015

Call 404-778-0278

Background

Nicole C. Schmitt, MD, FACS, is an associate professor in the Department of Otolaryngology at Emory University School of Medicine. A board-certified otolaryngologist, Dr. Schmitt's clinical and research work is focused on head and neck surgical oncology and novel therapeutic combinations.

Dr. Schmitt is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, American Academy of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, and American Head and Neck Society.

Dr. Schmitt obtained her Medical Degree from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri. She completed her general surgery internship, a research fellowship and her residency in otolaryngology at University of Washington in Seattle, Washington. She also completed a fellowship in head and neck surgery and tumor biology at University of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Dr. Schmitt's research interest is in characterizing immune effects of cytotoxic chemotherapy and designing optimal combinations of chemotherapy and immunotherapy for head and neck cancer.

PubMed

Titles & Roles

Associate Professor, Department of Otolaryngology

Emory University School of Medicine
Co-Director for Translational Research, Head and Neck Program

Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University

Education & Training

Education

Fellowship, MD, Surgical Oncology, 2015
University of Pittburgh
Residency, Otolaryngology, 2013
University of Washington Affiliated Hospitals
Fellowship, Otolaryngology, 2009
University of Washington Affiliated Hospitals
Internship, General Surgery, 2007
University of Washington Affiliated Hospitals
Medical Education, MD, 2006
Washington Univ in St. Louis

Board Certifications

Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
American Board of Otolaryngology, 2014
Otolaryngology
American Board of Otolaryngology, 2014

Research

View Current Clinical Trials


Remote Audiometry to Monitor for Treatment-Related Hearing Loss in Patients With H&N SCC Receiving Cisplatin and/or Radiation Phase II Conditions Clinical Stage IV HPV-Mediated (p16-Positive) Oropharyngeal Carcinoma AJCC v8, Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck, Head and Neck Carcinoma of Unknown Primary, Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Hypopharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Metastatic Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck, Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Metastatic Hypopharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Metastatic Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Metastatic Nasopharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Metastatic Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Metastatic Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Metastatic Paranasal Sinus Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Nasopharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Paranasal Sinus Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Recurrent Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck, Recurrent Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Recurrent Hypopharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Recurrent Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Recurrent Nasopharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Recurrent Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Recurrent Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Recurrent Paranasal Sinus Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Stage IV Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck AJCC v8, Stage IV Hypopharyngeal Carcinoma AJCC v8, Stage IV Laryngeal Cancer AJCC v8, Stage IV Lip and Oral Cavity Cancer AJCC v8, Stage IV Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma AJCC v8, Stage IV Oropharyngeal (p16-Negative) Carcinoma AJCC v8, Stage IV Sinonasal Cancer AJCC v8 Location Emory University Hospital Midtown
Lovastatin and Pembrolizumab for the Treatment of Patients with Recurrent or Metastatic Head and Neck Cancer, LAPP Trial Phase II Conditions Clinical Stage IV HPV-Mediated (p16-Positive) Oropharyngeal Carcinoma AJCC V8, Human Papillomavirus-Related Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Unknown Primary, Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Metastatic Hypopharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Metastatic Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Metastatic Nasopharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Metastatic Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Metastatic Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Metastatic Paranasal Sinus Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Recurrent Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Recurrent Hypopharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Recurrent Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Recurrent Nasopharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Recurrent Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Recurrent Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Recurrent Paranasal Sinus Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Stage IV Hypopharyngeal Carcinoma AJCC V8, Stage IV Laryngeal Cancer AJCC V8, Stage IV Lip and Oral Cavity Cancer AJCC V8, Stage IV Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma AJCC V8, Stage IV Oropharyngeal (p16-Negative) Carcinoma AJCC V8, Stage IV Sinonasal Cancer AJCC V8 Location Emory University Hospital Midtown
Atorvastatin to Reduce Cisplatin-Induced Hearing Loss Among Individuals With Head and Neck Cancer Phase III Conditions Hearing Loss, Head and Neck Cancer Location Emory University Hospital Midtown

Grants

View Grants

Grant Number	Title
1U01DC020452-01A1	Atorvastatin to Reduce Cisplatin-Induced Hearing Loss in Head and Neck Cancer Patients

Publications

Title/Journal	Authors	Publication Date
Reirradiation: Standards, challenges, and patient-focused strategies across tumor types. CA: a cancer journal for clinicians	A Beddok, J Willmann, A Embring, AL Appelt, P Balermpas, K Chua, JI Choi, BS Elger, D Gabrys, P Hoskin, M Niyazi, D Pasquier, K Paradis, O Kaidar-Person, C Plaisier, NC Schmitt, CE Steuer, J Thariat, SS Yom, P Poortmans, E Vasquez Osorio, N Andratschke	05/29/2025
Early-phase trial of IAP antagonist tolinapant and definitive radiation in cisplatin-ineligible patients with advanced head and neck cancer. Clinical cancer research : an official journal of the American Association for Cancer Research	NC Schmitt, WA Stokes, JE Bates, BLC Kinney, J Remick, MW McDonald, S Rudra, M Steininger, M Oyewole, MR Patel, AS Kaka, JH Gross, J Switchenko, CE Steuer, DM Shin, NF Saba	05/12/2025
Combination radiation and αPD-L1 enhance tumor control by stimulating CD8+ PD-1+ TCF-1+ T cells in the tumor-draining lymph node. Nature communications	Y Shen, E Connolly, M Aiello, C Zhou, P Chappa, H Song, P Tippitak, T Clark, M Cardenas, N Prokhnevska, A Mariniello, I De Bruyker, MS Pagadala, VR Dhere, S Rafiq, AH Kesarwala, A Orthwein, SN Thomas, SL Zhang, MK Khan, JB Dixon, GB Lesinski, MC Lowe, H Kissick, DS Yu, CM Paulos, NC Schmitt, ZS Buchwald	04/14/2025
Statin Drugs Are Associated With Response to Immune Checkpoint Blockade in Recurrent/Metastatic Head and Neck Cancer. Cancer medicine	TJ Kristoff, S Evans, P Nayi, M Abousaud, S Goyal, Y Liu, D Shin, CE Steuer, NF Saba, NC Schmitt	03/01/2025
Radiologic findings of occult nodal metastasis during clinically-N0 salvage total laryngectomy. Head & neck	TG Chan, J Wicks, I Sethi, J Becker, D Brandon, NC Schmitt, A Kaka, B Boyce, HM Baddour, MW El-Deiry, MR Patel, JH Gross	01/01/2025
Pembrolizumab and Cabozantinib in Recurrent and/or Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Long-term Survival Update with a Biomarker Analysis. Clinical cancer research : an official journal of the American Association for Cancer Research	NF Saba, R Chaudhary, K Kirtane, A Marra, A Ekpenyong, A McCook-Veal, NC Schmitt, JH Gross, MR Patel, J Remick, JE Bates, MW McDonald, SF Rudra, WA Stokes, M Biernacki, X Song, RJC Slebos, Y Liu, CE Steuer, DM Shin, Y Teng, CH Chung	10/15/2024
Assessing survival outcomes of patients with oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma: Focus on age, sex, and stage. Head & neck	S Pamulapati, M Abousaud, Y Li, A Ekpenyong, S Rudra, JS Remick, JE Bates, WA Stokes, MW McDonald, NC Schmitt, MW El-Deiry, MR Patel, CE Steuer, JM Switchenko, DM Shin, Y Teng, A Hammond, NF Saba	09/01/2024
Strategies for Improving CAR T Cell Persistence in Solid Tumors. Cancers	MC Wittling, AC Cole, B Brammer, KG Diatikar, NC Schmitt, CM Paulos	08/16/2024
Intensity-Modulated Reirradiation Therapy With Nivolumab in Recurrent or Second Primary Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Nonrandomized Controlled Trial. JAMA oncology	NF Saba, SJ Wong, T Nasti, AA McCook-Veal, MW McDonald, WA Stokes, AM Anderson, A Ekpenyong, M Rupji, M Abousaud, S Rudra, JE Bates, JS Remick, NP Joshi, NM Woody, M Awan, JL Geiger, A Shreenivas, J Samsa, MC Ward, NC Schmitt, MR Patel, KA Higgins, Y Teng, CE Steuer, DM Shin, Y Liu, R Ahmed, SA Koyfman	07/01/2024
Combined IL6 and CCR2 blockade potentiates antitumor activity of NK cells in HPV-negative head and neck cancer. Journal of experimental & clinical cancer research : CR	F Yang, C Yuan, F Chen, ZS Qin, NC Schmitt, GB Lesinski, NF Saba, Y Teng	03/12/2024
Radiation and anti-PD-L1 synergize by stimulating a stem-like T cell population in the tumor-draining lymph node. Research square	Y Shen, E Connolly, M Aiello, C Zhou, P Chappa, H Song, P Tippitak, T Clark, M Cardenas, N Prokhnevska, A Mariniello, MS Pagadala, VR Dhere, S Rafiq, AH Kesarwala, A Orthwein, SN Thomas, MK Khan, J Brandon Dixon, GB Lesinski, MC Lowe, H Kissick, DS Yu, CM Paulos, NC Schmitt, ZS Buchwald	03/06/2024
Oncologic Safety of Close Margins in Patients With Low- to Intermediate-Grade Major Salivary Gland Carcinoma. JAMA otolaryngology-- head & neck surgery	M Sajisevi, K Nguyen, P Callas, AJ Holcomb, E Vural, KP Davis, CM Thomas, KA Plonowska-Hirschfeld, JS Stein, A Eskander, K Kakarala, DJ Enepekides, MP Hier, WR Ryan, AA Asarkar, R Aulet, RK Bell, MA Blasco, VB Bowmaster, CP Burruss, J Chung, K Chan, BA Chang, CS Coffey, DM Cognetti, DJ Cooper, J Cordero, J Donovan, YJ Du, Y Dundar, RA Dedivitis, HA Edwards, BM Erovic, PA Feinberg, EA Garvey, DP Goldstein, JF Goodman, RN Goulart, N Goyal, S Grasl, JP Giurintano, N Gupta, AM Habib, TG Hackman, JH Hara, C Henson, ML Hinni, N Hua, S Johnson-Obaseki, A Juloori, NS Kalman, AE Kejner, SF Khaja, JA Ku, A Lambert, BK Luu, KR Magliocca, LRM Dos Santos, C Michael, BA Miles, GM de Melo, MG Moore, GB Morand, K Moura, L Mukdad, H Noroozi, R Patel, JA Paydarfar, N Sadeghi, FN Savaria, NC Schmitt, J Shapiro, TB Shaver, SJ Stoeckli, M St John, WA Stokes, A Sulibhavi, J Tasoulas, V Vendra, DB Vinh, CG Virgen, C Wooten, NM Woody, GD Young	02/01/2024
Rescue of NLRC5 expression restores antigen processing machinery in head and neck cancer cells lacking functional STAT1 and p53. Cancer immunology, immunotherapy : CII	BLC Kinney, S Gunti, V Kansal, CJ Parrish, NF Saba, Y Teng, MK Henry, FY Su, GA Kwong, NC Schmitt	01/17/2024
Effects of socioeconomic status on enrollment in clinical trials for cancer: A systematic review. Cancer medicine	MW Donzo, G Nguyen, JK Nemeth, MS Owoc, LJ Mady, AY Chen, NC Schmitt	01/01/2024
CD28-CD57+ T cells from head and neck cancer patients produce high levels of cytotoxic granules and type II interferon but are not senescent. Oncoimmunology	BLC Kinney, B Brammer, V Kansal, CJ Parrish, HT Kissick, Y Liu, NF Saba, ZS Buchwald, MW El-Deiry, MR Patel, BJ Boyce, AS Kaka, JH Gross, HM Baddour, AY Chen, NC Schmitt	01/01/2024
Submental Island Flaps for Lateral Reconstruction: Technical Refinements for Optimal Outcomes and Resource Efficiency. OTO open	MS Oh, NT Vettikattu, HM Baddour, JH Gross, BJ Boyce, MR Patel, NC Schmitt, C Arturo Solares, JR Vuncannon, AS Kaka	01/01/2024
Long-Term Follow-up of Parenteral Bevacizumab In Patients with Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis. The Laryngoscope	SA Ballestas, J Hidalgo Lopez, AM Klein, C Steuer, DM Shin, M Abousaud, NC Schmitt, Y Teng, NF Saba, AT Tkaczuk	10/01/2023
The expanding role of IAP antagonists for the treatment of head and neck cancer. Cancer medicine	V Kansal, BLC Kinney, S Uppada, NF Saba, WA Stokes, ZS Buchwald, NC Schmitt	07/01/2023
Quality of life and decisional regret after total glossectomy with laryngectomy: A single-institution case series. Oral oncology	C Amechi, L Ottenstein, A Lang, T McClary, AM Avinger, AJ Burnham, MD Dixon, RD Pentz, NC Schmitt	07/01/2023
Pembrolizumab and cabozantinib in recurrent metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: a phase 2 trial. Nature medicine	NF Saba, CE Steuer, A Ekpenyong, A McCook-Veal, K Magliocca, M Patel, NC Schmitt, W Stokes, JE Bates, S Rudra, J Remick, M McDonald, M Abousaud, AC Tan, MZH Fadlullah, R Chaudhary, J Muzaffar, K Kirtane, Y Liu, GZ Chen, DM Shin, Y Teng, CH Chung	04/01/2023
Laryngeal Anatomy, Molecular Biology, Cause, and Risk Factors for Laryngeal Cancer. Otolaryngologic clinics of North America	AB Law, NC Schmitt	04/01/2023
Survival and functional outcomes after total glossectomy with total laryngectomy: Case series from a high-volume tertiary institution. Oral oncology	AJ Burnham, BJ Boyce, AS Kaka, MW El-Deiry, ME Sebelik, HM Baddour, MR Patel, JH Gross, M Nathan, JM Waller, NC Schmitt, L Ottenstein	02/01/2023
The evolving landscape of salivary gland tumors. CA: a cancer journal for clinicians	CE Steuer, GJ Hanna, K Viswanathan, JE Bates, AS Kaka, NC Schmitt, AL Ho, NF Saba	01/01/2023
Critical review of the current and future prospects of VEGF-TKIs in the management of squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck. Frontiers in oncology	P Puttagunta, SV Pamulapati, JE Bates, JH Gross, WA Stokes, NC Schmitt, C Steuer, Y Teng, NF Saba	01/01/2023
Statin drugs enhance responses to immune checkpoint blockade in head and neck cancer models. Journal for immunotherapy of cancer	V Kansal, AJ Burnham, BLC Kinney, NF Saba, C Paulos, GB Lesinski, ZS Buchwald, NC Schmitt	01/01/2023
Specimen-Based Resection Margins and Local Control during Transoral Robotic Surgery for Oropharyngeal HPV-Mediated Squamous Cell Carcinoma. ORL; journal for oto-rhino-laryngology and its related specialties	KR Magliocca, AS Kaka, EM Barrow, MB Studer, CC Griffith, J Ernst, T Meade, A Balicki, BJ Boyce, NC Schmitt, AM Bur, AC Schmitt, R Jackson, CE Steuer, JJ Beitler, MR Patel	01/01/2023
Free Flap Fat Volume is Not Associated With Recurrence or Wound Complications in Oral Cancer. OTO open	AJ Burnham, J Wicks, KL Baugnon, MW El-Deiry, NC Schmitt	01/01/2023
Team-Based Surgical Scheduling for Improved Patient Access in a High-Volume, Tertiary Head and Neck Cancer Center. Annals of surgical oncology	NC Schmitt, M Ryan, T Halle, A Sherrod, JT Wadsworth, MR Patel, MW El-Deiry	10/01/2022
ASO Visual Abstract: Team-Based Surgical Scheduling for Improved Patient Access in a High-Volume, Tertiary Head and Neck Cancer Center. Annals of surgical oncology	NC Schmitt, M Ryan, T Halle, A Sherrod, JT Wadsworth, MR Patel, MW El-Deiry	10/01/2022
Survival, functional, and quality of life outcomes between total glossectomy with and without total laryngectomy: A narrative review. American journal of otolaryngology	AJ Burnham, L Ottenstein, BJ Boyce, AS Kaka, MW El-Deiry, HM Baddour, MR Patel, JH Gross, NC Schmitt	01/01/2022
Immunotherapeutic Strategies for Head and Neck Cancer. Otolaryngologic clinics of North America	ZS Buchwald, NC Schmitt	08/01/2021
Atorvastatin is associated with reduced cisplatin-induced hearing loss. The Journal of clinical investigation	KA Fernandez, P Allen, M Campbell, B Page, T Townes, CM Li, H Cheng, J Garrett, M Mulquin, A Clements, D Mulford, C Ortiz, C Brewer, JR Dubno, S Newlands, NC Schmitt, LL Cunningham	01/04/2021
Repurposing Statin Drugs to Decrease Toxicity and Improve Survival Outcomes in Head and Neck Cancer. OTO open	RO Bourguillon, WA Stokes, J Dorth, NC Schmitt	01/01/2021

Ratings & Reviews

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5	One star One star One star One star One star	Provider showed concern
5	One star One star One star One star One star	Provider explained things clearly
5	One star One star One star One star One star	Provider discussed treatment options
5	One star One star One star One star One star	Provider included you in decisions
5	One star One star One star One star One star	Likelihood of recommending this provider

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One star One star One star One star One star	05/23/2025	Dr Schmitt is the absolute best.
One star One star One star One star One star	05/08/2025	She was excellent
One star One star One star One star One star	05/06/2025	Dr Schmitt is wonderful!
One star One star One star One star One star	04/03/2025	Dr. Schmitt was wonderful. We really appreciated the time she spent with us.
One star One star One star One star One star	03/25/2025	She is excellent
One star One star One star One star One star	03/25/2025	Dr. Schmitt explained in detail the pros and cons of my situation. She gave me options as to what I can do and what might happen. I appreciated this.
One star One star One star One star One star	03/18/2025	Nicole Cherie Schmitt was very good, totally accessible,open, and generous.Keep her at all cost
One star One star One star One star One star	02/18/2025	Dr.Schmitt is amazing a wonderful caring professional
One star One star One star One star One star	01/14/2025	Excellent Care was provided, throughly explained next steps, answered all my questions.
One star One star One star One star One star	12/17/2024	Dr. Schmidt was wonderful. She reassured me that my lymph nodes were normal, without making me feel belittled or as if I was wasting her time.
One star One star One star One star One star	12/05/2024	Dr. Smidtt was exceptional in response to the questions we had, and I would recommend her to anyone. Her experience sets the bar very high.
One star One star One star One star One star	12/03/2024	Dr. Schmitt is an excellent Dr. Her bedside manners are everything an patient expects. She is an exceptional Dr.
One star One star One star One star One star	11/27/2024	Dr. Schmitt is wonderful
One star One star One star One star One star	11/07/2024	Dr Schmidt is excellent
One star One star One star One star One star	10/16/2024	Good
One star One star One star One star One star	10/01/2024	Good
One star One star One star One star One star	09/19/2024	Dr Schmitt is the best . She saved my life . MUCH LOVE AND RESPECT
One star One star One star One star One star	08/25/2024	I had an excellent experience with the gentleman who was a medical assistant, the student assistant, and Dr Nicole Schmitt. The doctor explained her findings and the possible reasons for pain. We discussed procedures available and next steps to take. She was so personable, kind, and explained my medical issue in language a patient could understand. Dr Nicole Schmitt was extremely knowledgeable and answered all questions asked. Though you did not ask, yes, I would drive over an hour in traffic, again, to see this wonderful doctor for my medical issues.
One star One star One star One star One star	08/21/2024	My only concern is l wish Dr Nicole was easier to get with for appointments. Great Physician, and human being. Truthfully cares.
One star One star One star One star One star	08/20/2024	Good
One star One star One star One star One star	07/18/2024	Dr. Schmitt was great. She put me at ease and answered all my questions. We have a plan in place and I feel less nervous about next steps.
One star One star One star One star One star	07/18/2024	Excellent Dr.. My doctor is Amazing.. She listens and went over all options.. I am so happy to have such a great doctor.. options. I am happy with her and looking forward to surgery with her.. She is very professional and good with making sure I understand the best options for me. She takes her time and makes u feel important.. What a great Doctor..
One star One star One star One star Empty star	06/25/2024	Ok