Pediatric Otolaryngology | UNC Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery

Why Choose UNC?

Our team is comprised of 6 fellowship-trained pediatric otolaryngologists who perform more than 2500 operative cases each year. Pediatric Anesthesia works closely with our physicians on each case to administer the best care for our patients. We are involved in numerous multidisciplinary care conferences for children and have multiple location options for your visit.

Our Team

Carlton J. Zdanski, MD, FAAP, FACS

Herbert H. Thorp & Julian T. Mann Distinguished Professor
Chief, Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery
Surgical Director, The North Carolina Children’s Airway Center

Amelia F. Drake, MD, FACS

Vice Chair of Faculty Development
Newton D. Fischer Distinguished Professor of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery
Executive Associate Dean of Academic Programs, UNC School of Medicine

Austin S. Rose, MD, FARS, MBA

Professor of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery

Lauren A. Leeper, MD, FACS

Associate Professor
Director, Pediatric Otolaryngology Fellowship Program
Medical Director, Children’s Cochlear Implant Center at UNC

Wade G. McClain, DO

Assistant Professor

Jaime P. Doody, MD

Assistant Professor

Ali Groesser, MSN, RN, CPNP

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

Conditions We Treat

AIRWAY DISORDERS

Tracheostomy
Subglottic Stenosis
Laryngomalacia
Vocal Cord Paralysis
Swallowing or Feeding Problems
Stridor
NC Children’s Airway Center
UNC Pediatric Feeding Team

THROAT

CONGENITAL ANOMALIES

Vascular Malformations
Hemangiomas
Thyroglossal and Branchial Cleft Cysts
Microtia
Choanal Atresia/Pyriform Aperture Stenosis
Cleft Lip and/or Palate
UNC Craniofacial Team

NOSE AND SINUSES

Sinusitis
Allergy and Nasal Congestion
Nasal Masses
Nose Bleeds

EAR DISORDERS

Hearing Loss/Speech Delay
Hearing Aid Fitting
Bone Conduction Hearing Devices, Surgical and Non-Surgical
Cochlear Implantation
Ear Infections/Ear Tubes
Swimmer’s Ear
Cholesteatoma
Ear Molding
Tympanic Membrane Perforations
The Children’s Cochlear Implant Center

NECK

Neck Masses
Salivary Gland Masses/Inflammation
Thyroid Nodules
Lymphadenitis and Lymph Node Biopsy

SPEECH PROBLEMS

Velopharyngeal Dysfunction (VPD): Endoscopy
Speech Delay

VASCULAR ANOMALIES

Multidisciplinary Teams

Education/Fellowship

The Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery at UNC established the pediatric otolaryngology fellowship in 2011 which became formally accredited by the ACGME in 2019, under the directorship of Lauren Leeper, MD, FACS. The fellowship is a one-year program in which trainees cover the entire spectrum of pediatric otolaryngology including open and endoscopic airway surgery, head and neck surgery, facial plastics surgery and microtia repair, cleft lip and palate, cochlear implantation, endoscopic sinus surgery, surgical and laser treatment of vascular lesions, and robotic surgery.