Otolaryngology (Ear, Nose and Throat)

Otolaryngologists, or ear, nose and throat (ENT) doctors, treat children with common childhood problems like ear infections, throat infections, hearing loss, breathing problems and sinus issues. The ENTs at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta are specially trained to care for children who need ear tubes, a tonsillectomy or something more complex.

The ENTs at Children’s have gone through additional training that specifically focuses on caring for children, and we take special care to help make sure the youngest patients feel comfortable and at ease. Many of the ENTs at Children’s are also part of multidisciplinary clinics, which means they collaborate with pediatric specialists in other areas to help make sure every patient is getting comprehensive care.

Children often have problems of the ear, nose and throat that are rarely seen in adults. They respond differently to treatment and need an otolaryngology team with pediatric experience and training. The ENTs at Children’s offer comprehensive services, including evaluation, diagnosis, management and treatment of children with a variety of disorders of the ears, nose, throat, and related structures of the head and neck.

What do pediatric ENTs do?

Our pediatric ENTs are specially trained and experienced in treating children—from infants to young adults—with ear, nose and throat conditions. Our team performs more pediatric ear tube surgeries and tonsillectomies than any other hospital in Georgia annually, driving experience that sharpens our specialists’ skills as well as outcomes that emphasize our capability to provide high-quality care to children and families. Each surgical team is also accompanied by a pediatric anesthesiologist who receives additional training to care for pediatric patients and who creates an anesthesia plan for each child based on his or her weight, height and type of surgery.

Each year, our team performs:

• More than 6,000 ear tube surgeries—an average of 16 procedures every day.
• Thousands of tonsil and adenoid removal surgeries.
• Nearly 9,000 total ENT surgical procedures each year—more than any other hospital in Georgia.

Our staff also knows how to talk to kids and families and how to help put them at ease during times of stress. We will work closely with you and your child to find the best treatment options for his specific needs.

When should a child see a pediatric ENT?

While some ENT procedures, such as ear tube surgery, can seem pretty minor, Children’s takes every precaution to help make sure your child is safe during surgery. We recommend you see a pediatric-trained specialist if your child has a problem with their ears, nose or throat.

Our specialists perform surgeries and procedures for:

We know where you take your child for surgery matters. Our Otolaryngology Program combines the latest proven technology with a caring, child-friendly approach, making Children’s a top choice for surgical treatment. The following physicians lead our surgical services.

Physician leadership

• Steven L. Goudy, MD, MBA, Division Chief, Otolaryngology
• Nandini Govil, MD, Medical Director, Hearing Loss Program

Children’s Physician Group–Otolaryngology

Children’s Physician Group is the largest multispecialty physician practice in Georgia. Children’s Physician Group enables you and your family to see pediatric specialists that are part of the Children’s team.

Physicians

• John Bangiyev, DO
• Clarice Brown, MD
• Anita Deshpande, MD
• Sean Evans, MD
• Lori Gentile, MD
• Steven L. Goudy, MD, MBA
• Nandini Govil, MD
• Kenneth Kennedy, MD
• Vandra Okafor, MD
• Kara K. Prickett, MD
• Sweeti Shah, DO
• James Thomsen, MD

Advanced practice providers

• Bailey Barber, PA
• Tammie Brickhouse, CPNP
• Olivia Burkhalter, MSN, CPNP-PC
• Chelsea Crawford, NP
• Courtney Frazier, CPNP
• Sarine Husein, MSN, CPNP-PC
• Bissel Landis, CPNP
• Liza Massey, CPNP
• Amanda Roncone, PA-C
• Christina Scott, CPNP
• Rachel Sterling, CPNP
• Amy Steves, CPNP
• Erica Walker, CPNP
• Stephanie Weselak, CPNP

Private practice otolaryngologists in our program

Our surgeons work closely with other otolaryngologists in the community to help make sure complete, coordinated care is delivered seamlessly at our hospitals for children with ENT conditions.

• Megan Ballard, MD
• Erik Bauer, MD
• Paula Harmon, MD
• Andrew Sipp, MD
• Melissa Statham, MD