BIO

Dr. Tara Brennan began practicing Otolaryngology at Aspen Valley Health in 2025. Dr. Brennan is a Dual American Board certified surgeon trained in ear, nose and throat and facial plastic surgery with a subspecialty in facial reconstruction. She regularly performs surgeries that correct nasal and septal deformities, facial paralysis, facial/brow/eyelid/lip droop and facial deformity from congenital issues including vascular anomalies. Dr. Brennan knew she wanted to become a doctor at a young age. As an undergraduate, she studied Biological Sciences and Psychology in the Medical Scholars Program at the University of Illinois-Chicago, graduating summa cum laude. Dr. Brennan earned her Doctor of Medicine from the University of Illinois-Chicago College of Medicine in 2009, and was recognized with the William J. Grove Top Medical Student award. Her Residency in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery was a five-year program at a number of hospitals in the Chicago area including the prestigious University of Illinois Eye & Ear Infirmary. In 2015, she participated in a Fellowship in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the New York Head & Neck Institute, North Shore LIJ-Lenox Hill Hospital, and the Manhattan Eye, Ear & Throat Hospitals. She is certified by the American Boards of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.

Dr. Brennan also teaches at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine and performs surgeries at its hospital. She received an Exemplary Teacher Award at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine in 2020 and 2021, and has been included on Albuquerque’s “Top Docs” list multiple times since 2015. She has co-authored 18 peer reviewed articles, authored 6 book chapters, and given over 75 invited talks or presentations at professional meetings nationally or internationally.

Dr. Brennan says being in Aspen with its surrounding beauty is “like living in a painting.” The active lifestyles and focus on health of the people who live here also drew her to Aspen Valley Health.