Dr. Tessema has received numerous awards for his excellence in research and has multiple publications and presentations in his field. He studied advanced medical and surgical care of complex sino-nasal conditions. and has clinical interest in the endoscopic management of advanced frontal sinus disease and skull base tumors.

Dr. Tessema serves on the advisory board for Global ENT outreach, a nonprofit organization committed to train doctors from developing countries to become self sustained in basic ENT related surgical care. Dr. Tessema also serves as the Associate Director of the Ayer Neuroscience Institute Skull Base Center at Hartford Hospital.