Head & Neck Surgery Program

The Lurie Children’s Head & Neck Surgery Program is a national leader in the treatment of children with congenital and acquired lesions of the head, neck, and face. With an unwavering commitment to patient care, education, and research, we strive to provide the highest standards of surgical and medical care for children with these conditions.


The Lurie Children’s Difference

We believe in a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach that provides your child and family with the highest quality care for management of these complex head, neck, and face lesions. At the core of our approach is a team of experienced, compassionate providers working together to improve your child’s health.

Head & Neck Surgery Specialists

John Maddalozzo, MD, FACS, FAAP

Dr. John Maddalozzo is the section chief of the Head & Neck Surgery Program and an expert in pediatric head & neck surgery. He has over three decades of experience taking care of a wide range of pediatric ear, nose, throat, and neck conditions. His extensive experience includes management of both benign and malignant diseases. He also has a special focus on thyroglossal duct cysts and salivary gland lesions.

Call 1.800.543.7362

Jeff C. Rastatter, MD, MS, FACS, FAAP

Dr. Jeffrey Rastatter is an expert in pediatric head & neck surgery and takes care of a wide range of ear, nose, throat, and neck conditions. His extensive experience includes management of both benign and malignant diseases. He also has a special focus on thyroid diseases and endonasal approaches for surgical management skull base diseases.

Call 1.800.543.7362

Douglas R. Johnston, MD

Dr. Douglas Johnston is an expert in pediatric head & neck surgery and takes care of a wide range of ear, nose, throat, and neck conditions. His extensive experience includes management of both benign and malignant diseases. He also has a special focus on transoral robotic surgery and vascular anomalies.

Call 1.800.543.7362

Monica M. Herron, MPAS, PA-C

Monica Herron, MPAS, PA-C is a physician assistant supporting the Head & Neck Team. She has over a decade of experience in a variety of settings including surgery, clinic and intensive care.

Call 1.800.543.7362

Meet the rest of our team: Carol Glennon, RN; Nancy Malabanan, RN; Therese Hess, RN; and Daisy Rodriguez.

Conditions We Treat

We provide comprehensive care of many benign and malignant lesions including:

Collaborating Specialties

The physicians for the Head & Neck Surgery Program at Lurie Children’s collaborate with many experienced physicians from the following medical and surgical specialties:

What to Expect

Prior to your visit, our team will work with you to obtain any imaging that has been previously performed, and review those results prior to your visit. If you are being referred by an endocrinologist, oncologist, neurosurgeon, or other specialist, you can be sure that we will partner with you and them to create the best plan for your child. Not every child’s treatment plan requires surgery, but if surgery is needed, we will take you step by step through what to expect.

Contact Us

For more information on our program, or if there are questions we can answer for you, please send us a secure e-mail at HeadandNeck@luriechildrens.org. Our Head & Neck nursing team will respond to your e-mail within two business days. We won’t be able to give your family medical advice until after your visit, but we want to help you in any way we can.