The Division of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery provides medical and surgical treatment for children with routine and complex disorders of the ears, nose and throat (ENT), as well as head and neck tumors. Our physicians treat more children for ENT conditions than any other hospital in Illinois. In fact, our specialists perform about a third of the surgeries that take place at Lurie Children’s each year. 

Our patient care helps save and transform children’s lives. Our team of experts are all board-certified in pediatric otolaryngology, and all have completed extra training in subspecialty care. This means our physician-surgeons have capacity and expertise in more routine procedures such as tonsil removal and ear tube placement, and in more complex procedures and diagnoses such as airway reconstruction, sleep medicine, head and neck masses, sinus conditions and cochlear implantation.  

Our team, one of the most diverse pediatric ENT divisions in the country, also participates in research, helping lead the way in improving treatment for conditions and enhancing access to care. As researchers, our team speaks and teaches nationally and internationally, and we help train the next generation of specialists through our pediatric otolaryngology fellowship program. 

Why Choose Lurie Children's? 

A multidisciplinary team of experienced healthcare providers will care for your child and help create a care plan. This team approach makes it easier for you to see every specialist your child needs under one roof and often in the same visit. 

Our expertise is broad. The Division of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at Lurie Children’s houses one of the largest pediatric cochlear implant programs in the country; in fact, our pediatric cochlear implant surgeons have performed more than 2,300 implantations since 1991. We have an experienced complex airway program, cutting-edge sleep surgery options and one of the only pediatric 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome Programs led by an otolaryngologist in the country. We also house one of the only skull base programs at a freestanding children’s hospital, and our head and neck surgeons are involved in writing and reviewing national clinical care guidelines for pediatric thyroid tumors. 

As a whole, Lurie Children’s is a kid-friendly environment that’s committed to family-centered care. We believe in family-centered care, which means we involve the whole family in a patient’s treatment plan.  

Our many family services include ParentWISE® (Parent Wisdom In Shared Experience®) to match parents of children who already had a treatment, such as cochlear implants, with those who are considering that therapy. 

Lurie Children’s is also a research center​, which lets us provide access to innovative treatments that are available only at a limited number of centers, through studies in patients (clinical trials). 

Nationally-Ranked Care

Lurie Children’s continues to be the #1 children's hospital in Illinois and is ranked in 11 specialties by U.S. News & World Report.

Our ENT Specialists

Our entire staff is dedicated to treating infants, children and teens. The team includes:

  • Pediatric otolaryngologists​
  • Pediatric audiologists
  • Pediatric advanced practice providers
  • Pediatric anesthesiologists
  • Pediatric nursesSpeech and Language Pathology
  • Social workers​
  • Education coordinator (Cochlear Implant Program)
  • Translators and interpreters (including a full-time Spanish translator dedication to division)

To provide coordinated care for our patients, our team members also work closely with other pediatric specialists at Lurie Children’s.

The head of the division, Dana M. Thompson, MD, MS, is a board-certified otolaryngologist who completed advanced training in pediatric otolaryngology. She has more than 20 years of experience as a children’s ENT physician. She is an internationally recognized leader in treating children’s swallowing disorders and in reconstructing the trachea, such as in children with life-threatening narrowing of the windpipe. A renowned researcher and mentor, she has published more than 85 scientific articles and 20 book chapters and delivered more than 300 presentations related to clinical and scientific research, practice development, physician wellness and bias and equity in healthcare. 

Leadership

Dana M. Thompson, MD, MS, MBA, FACS

Division Head, Otorhinolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery; Lauren D. Holinger, MD Professorship in Pediatric Otolaryngology; Vice Chair Ambulatory Practice, Department of Surgery; Executive Physician Director, Ambulatory Practice

Nancy M. Young, MD, FACS

Head, Section of Otology/Neurotology and Medical Director, Audiology & Cochlear Implant Programs, Lurie Children's; The Lillian S. Wells Professorship in Pediatric Otolaryngology

Kathleen R. Billings, MD, FACS

Attending Physician, Otorhinolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery; Director of Clinical Practice

John Maddalozzo, MD, FACS

Head, Section of Advanced Head and Neck Surgery; Attending Physician, Otorhinolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery

James W. Schroeder Jr., MD, MBA, FACS

Vice Chair of Education, Department of Surgery; Assistant Designated Institutional Official (DIO), McGaw Medical Center, Northwestern; Program Director, Pediatric Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery Fellowship

Taher Valika, MD

Attending Physician, Otorhinolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery; Medical Director, Aerodigestive Program

Lurie Children's Attending Surgeons

Saied Ghadersohi, MD

Attending Physician, Otorhinolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery; Director, Complex Sleep Program; Resident Education Site Director

Inbal Hazkani BenDror, MD

Attending Physician, Otorhinolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery

Jonathan B. Ida, MD, MBA, FACS

Attending Physician, Otorhinolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery; Vice Chair of Procedural Services, Department of Surgery

Douglas R. Johnston, MD

Attending Physician, Otorhinolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery; Director of Surgical Outreach Services - Silver Cross; Director of Surgical Services - Westchester

Jennifer M. Lavin, MD, MS

Attending Physician, Otorhinolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery; Director of Quality and Safety

Jeff C. Rastatter, MD, MS, FACS

Attending Physician, Otorhinolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery; Director of Research for Division of Otolaryngology; Co-Director of Skull Base Surgery

Laura H. Swibel Rosenthal, MD

Attending Physician, Otorhinolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery; Medical Director, Speech and Language Services; Director, Multidisciplinary 22q Program

Lurie Children’s Advanced Practice Providers

Amelia L. Falat, PA-C

Physician Assistant, Otolaryngology

Christa M. Fox, MSN, APRN, CPNP-PC

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Otolaryngology

Lauren Gute, MMS, PA-C

Physician Assistant, Otolaryngology

Christina Monteiro, APRN-NP, FNP-C

Family Nurse Practitioner, Otolaryngology

Katie Perry, PA-C

Physician Assistant, Otolaryngology

Rachel Schappacher, PA-C

Physician Assistant, Otolarygology (ENT)

Steven D. Tomasi, PA-C

Physician Assistant, Otolaryngology

Sarah E. West, DNP, APRN, CPNP-PC

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Otorhinolaryngology

Make an Appointment

We offer easy online scheduling for your child's ENT needs. 

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Pediatric Otolaryngology Research

Our division is a national leader in the field of pediatric disorders of the ear, nose, throat, and head and neck in infants and children. Our research focuses on airway, feeding and swallowing disorders, sinusitis, head and neck masses, congenital and acquired problems of the ear and hearing.

An area of special interest is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in children, where collaboration is taking place with other divisions at Lurie Children's and Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Study of children who have received cochlear implants is another area of collaborative research. 

Learn more about our researchers: 

Bharat Bhushan, PhD
James W. Schroeder Jr., MD, MBA, FACS, FAAP
Kathleen R. Billings, MD, FACS, FAAP
Jeff C. Rastatter, MD, FACS, FAAP
Jonathan B. Ida, MD, MBA, FACS, FAAP
Nancy M. Young, MD, FACS, FAAP

Our Locations

Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago

225 E. Chicago Ave.
Chicago, Illinois 60611
312.227.4000

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Lurie Children's Hospital Outpatient Center in Lake Forest

Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital Campus
900 N. Westmoreland, Suite 110 (Bays Medical Office Building, 1st Floor)*
Lake Forest, Illinois 60045
312.227.1010

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Lurie Children's Hospital Outpatient Center in Westchester

Surgical Treatment Center
2301 Enterprise Drive
Westchester, Illinois 60154
312.227.7900

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Lurie Children's Hospital Outpatient Center in Lincoln Park

2515 N. Clark Street/467 W. Deming Place
Chicago, Illinois 60614-3393
1.800.543.7362

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Lurie Children's Hospital Outpatient Center in New Lenox

1870 N. Silver Cross Blvd. (formerly Clinton Street)
Suite 100
New Lenox, Illinois 60451
312.227.3620

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Lurie Children's Hospital Outpatient Center in Northbrook

1131 Techny Road
Northbrook, Illinois 60062
312.227.7600

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Lurie Children’s Hospital Outpatient Center in Skokie

3722 W. Touhy Avenue
Skokie, Illinois 60076
312.227.5600

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Our Programs

Treatments & Procedures

Our multidisciplinary approach to care means that we consult with specialists from multiple hospital divisions — as many as it takes to get a complete and comprehensive treatment plan for your child.

Learn More About Our Treatments

Training & Education

Our physicians help train the next generation of specialists in pediatric otorhinolaryngology. Through our partnership with Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine​, we offer a one-year pediatric otolaryngology fellowship program.

Otolaryngology News & Stories

Should I Worry About My Child’s Bloody Nose?

Does your child get nosebleeds often? Learn how the correct way stop a child’s bloody nose 

Read more

Microtia and Aural Atresia Program at Lurie Children’s with Stephen Hoff, MD, and Akira Yamada, MD, PhD

Stephen Hoff, MD, and Akira Yamada, MD, PhD, discuss both the aural and reconstructive aspects of microtia treatment, as well as the program’s team of experts offering families the most innovative therapeutic and surgical options.

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The Falasz Family Finds Comfort in Their Care Team After Turner Syndrome Diagnosis

At 18 months, Rose was diagnosed with a genetic condition that she'd have to manage the rest of her life - Mosaic Turner Syndrome. Thankfully, her parents found immense comfort in the experts at Lurie Children's. 

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Transoral Robotic Surgery for Children with Douglas Johnston, MD

Douglas Johnston, MD, explains the variety of head and neck pathologies where robotic technology at Lurie Children's can provide safe and effective surgical alternatives for patients.

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Born with hearing loss, Jack, 3, makes great progress with ‘super ears’

After he failed his newborn screening test, Jack underwent an auditory brainstem response evaluation (ABR) that confirmed his diagnosis of profound hearing loss.

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First Person with Dr. Dana Thompson: Black History Month Reflections

Dana Thompson, Division Head, Otorhinolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, speaks to the confidence she has in Lurie Children’s to have a unique impact on the health equity movement.

Read more

Philanthropy

Your support is vital in helping us continue to make a difference in the lives of patients and families. Lurie Children’s relies on philanthropic funding to enhance its programs, services and research for children. To learn more, please e-mail the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago Foundation at foundation@luriechildrens.org or call 312.227.7500.

Preparing for Surgery

If your child is having a procedure at Lurie Children’s, we’ve compiled resources, including videos, guides and maps, to help your family prepare.