Clinical Programs

Division of Pediatric Otolarynogology/Head and Neck Surgery
The Division of Pediatric Otolarynogology/Head and Neck Surgery embodies the tradition of excellence for which this department is recognized nationally. This division practices state-of-the-art diagnosis and surgical intervention in complex airway disorders and directs research in many areas including the etiology and treatment of subglottic stenosis.

The division is led by Dr. Amelia Drake, who also leads the UNC Craniofacial Center of the UNC School of Dentistry, a multidisciplinary team that includes specialists in genetics, oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, pediatrics, plastic surgery, psychology, social work, and speech-language pathology. Dr. Carlton Zdanski is the surgical director of the N.C. Children’s Airway Center and also directs research in multiple areas including airway stenosis. Dr. Austin Rose is fellowship director of the Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery and has done extensive research in airway inflammation and allergy. All three physicians are fellowship-trained pediatric otolaryngology/head and neck surgeons certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery with extensive experience in the evaluation and treatment of pediatric airway disorders.

Learn more by visiting the division's Web site.

Division of Pediatric Pulmonology
The Division of Pediatric Pulmonology is a large, multifaceted team of physicians, nurses, social workers, and respiratory therapists with a wide range of clinical, teaching, and research interests. Led by Dr. Stephanie Davis, an expert in infant pulmonary function testing, the division's physicians have long-standing experience in evaluation of children with complex airway abnormalities and an array of acute and chronic respiratory disorders.

The division's specialists have more than 25 years of experience in diagnostic flexible bronchoscopy and other diagnostic and therapeutic modalities. Clinical evaluation and treatment are augmented by close working relationships with a variety of experts, including those in pediatric infectious disease, immunology, and allergy along with those providing services in critical care across age groups.

UNC is home to a nationally prominent program in cystic fibrosis (CF), the UNC Cystic Fibrosis Care Center, led by Dr. Margaret Leigh. Drs. Davis and George Retsch-Bogart help lead a national network of research projects sponsored by the CF Foundation, while Dr. Leigh has also applied the model of CF care and research to development of a similar national program for primary ciliary dyskinesia, another disorder with chronic respiratory manifestations.

Notable research endeavors among the division's physicians include Dr. Terry Noah's work in effects of environmental pollutants on airway inflammation and respiratory virus infections, and Dr. Pierre Barker's work with quality improvement initiatives, which have received both national and international attention. Dr. Marianne Muhlebach is leading a multi-center research project on resistant bacterial infection in cystic fibrosis, and Dr. Charles Esther has received funding from the NIH to investigate new techniques for measuring lung inflammation in children using exhaled breath condensates. Dr. Elisabeth Dellon, one of the division's newest faculty members, leads a project seeking to optimize care for children in the late stages of chronic lung disease.

The division is particularly proud of its fellowship training program in pediatric pulmonology, which now spans 30 years and has trained numerous national leaders in this pediatric subspecialty.

Learn more about the Division of Pediatric Pulmonology by visiting the division's Web site.

Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology
The Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology is a large, multidimensional group of physicians and nurses whose expertise is continually in high demand across North Carolina.

Led by Dr. Steven Lichtman, the division's talented physicians frequently consult on children with airway or respiratory problems who also have gastrointestinal or nutritional disorders related to gastrointestinal reflux, inadequate nutrition (often on the basis of difficulty feeding) and the gastrointestinal manifestations of chronic respiratory diseases. When a child requires both airway and gastrointestinal evaluations or procedures, Airway Center staff is often able to coordinate the procedures so that they can be done together under one anesthetic.

Pediatric specialists in the Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology have diverse interests in areas of quality improvement and epidemiology and are recognized for their multidisciplinary care and research in inflammatory bowel disease.

Learn more about the Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology by visiting the division's Web site.

Division of Pediatric Anesthesiology
The Division of Pediatric Anesthesiology is a highly-respected team of experts led by Dr. Robert Valley. The division's anesthesiologists provide airway management and anesthetic services to more than 8,000 children annually, including neonates and those with congenital heart disease, as well as to children with airway problems of all levels of complexity. Members of this team have diverse clinical, research and teaching interests, but most importantly for our children of the airway center, they apply their expertise and long-standing experience in airway management to provide respectful, child-centered, and safe anesthetic care. Visit the Department of Anesthesiology's Web site to learn more.

Divisions of Pediatric Surgery and Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery
Among the surgeons with whom the N.C. Children's Airway Center routinely collaborates are members of the Divisions of Pediatric Surgery and Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery—both highly qualified, experienced, and respected teams of pediatric surgeons who provide surgical services to children and families across North Carolina. Among the surgeons' varied interests across divisions are: minimally invasive surgery, thoracoscopy, laparoscopy, inflammatory bowel disease, ECMO, robotics, trauma, pediatric thoracic and cardiac surgery, and heart transplantation.

With their nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and resident surgeons, the surgeons in these divisions demonstrate the essence of family-centered care and contribute richly to the academic and research missions of pediatric programs at N.C. Children's Hospital, UNC School of Medicine, and UNC Health Care. Learn more by visiting the Web sites of  the Division of Pediatric Surgery or Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery.