Pediatric Otolaryngology (ENT)
Care at 7 locations
Specialties & Conditions Otolaryngology (ENT)
The Division of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery provides medical and surgical treatment for children with 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 approximately 40% of the nearly 20,000 surgeries that take place at Lurie Children’s each year.
Our patient care helps save and transform children’s lives. One physician from our division has implanted more than 1,000 cochlear implants in children to restore hearing. Another helped develop a new technique for reconstructing the windpipe (trachea) in newborns, which improves surgical results.
Conditions We Treat
Our pediatric specialists treat children for a wide range of conditions, both common and rare, including:
- Ear infections
- Recurrent sore throats
- Snoring
- Tonsillitis
Our Programs
Our division has developed specialized ENT programs to treat certain conditions in the most comprehensive way possible. Browse our list of programs to learn more about the expert-led initiatives that can help treat your child.
- Aerodigestive Program
- Cleft Lip & Palate Repair Program
- Cochlear Implant Program
- Endoscopic Ear Surgery Program
- Head & Neck Surgery Program
- Microtia and Aural Atresia Program
- Pediatric Thyroid Program
- Robotic Surgery Program
- Sarcoma Program
- Skull Base Program
- Tracheal Reconstruction Program
- Vascular Lesion Center
- Vascular Rings Program
- Voice Program
Treatments & Procedures
Learn more about the treatments and services offered by the Division of Otolaryngology.
Learn MoreOur ENT Specialists
Our entire staff is dedicated to treating infants, children and teens. The team includes:
- Pediatric otolaryngologists
- Pediatric nurse practitioners
- Pediatric nurses
- Social workers
- Education coordinator (Cochlear Implant Program)
To provide coordinated care for our patients, our team members work closely with other pediatric specialists at Lurie Children’s, especially in the following areas:
- Allergy and Immunology
- Audiology
- Cancer (Oncology)
- Gastroenterology
- Neurosurgery
- Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Speech and Language Pathology
The head of the division, Dana M. Thompson, MD, MS, is a board-certified otolaryngologist who completed advanced training in pediatric otolaryngology. She has nearly 15 years of experience as a children’s ENT physician. U.S.News & World Report named her as one of the top pediatric ENT doctors in the country in 2012, citing her expertise in treating children’s swallowing disorders and in reconstructing the trachea, such as in children with life-threatening narrowing of the windpipe.
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.
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. From bring family members into care plan meetings, to providing support and distraction to a patient’s siblings, we do our best to help fit our care within your lifestyle.
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).
Our physicians also train the next generation of specialists in pediatric ENT. Through our partnership with Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, we offer a one-year pediatric otolaryngology fellowship program.
Appointments
To make an appointment with one of our specialists, please follow one of the steps below.
Make an Appointment Online
- Existing MyChart users: If you have a Lurie Children's MyChart account, log in at mychart.luriechildrens.org to schedule your appointments.
- New Patients & Non-MyChart users: Please fill out our Online Scheduling Form to schedule an appointment online or request an appointment. After you request an appointment, a MyChart account will be set up for you to schedule appointments online.
Make an Appointment By Phone
Please call 1.800.KIDS DOC (1.800.543.7362).
Family Friendly Hours: Evening & Weekend Appointments
We know that fitting a doctor's appointment into your busy work and school days can be a challenge, so we've added Family Friendly Hours to weekday evenings and weekends.
To find the most convenient hours and locations for your family, view a listing of our Family Friendly Hours.
Your Visit
To prepare for your ENT appointment, please print and fill out the patient medical history questionnaire and bring it with you to your appointment:
- Patient Medical History Questionnaire (English)
- Patient Medical History Questionnaire (Spanish)
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
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.