MUSC Children's Health ENT at Summey Medical Pavilion

**William W. Carroll, M.D.**, joined the Department of Otolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery and MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children's Hospital in August 2020, from the Children's Hospital of Georgia, where he was an attending pediatric otolaryngologist for two years. Dr. Carroll grew up in North Carolina and graduated from Davidson College, where he played varsity soccer for the mighty Davidson Wildcats. In 2012, he received his MD from the Medical University of South Carolina, where he subsequently completed his otolaryngology residency. He then completed his fellowship in pediatric ENT and facial plastic surgery at Children's Minnesota in Minneapolis-St.Paul. Dr. Carroll received his board certification from the American Board of Otolaryngology in 2018, along with his Complex Pediatric Otolaryngology (CPO) subcertification in 2021. Dr. Carroll's clinical practice is focused on the care of children with ear, nose, and throat problems, with a particular emphasis on craniofacial anomalies, including cleft lip and palate, as well as disorders of the ear and upper airway, and speech/velopharyngeal disorders.

David R. White, M.D. is a professor in the Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery and the director of pediatric otolaryngology at the Medical University of South Carolina. A Charleston native, Dr. White joined the department in 2005 after completing a fellowship in pediatric otolaryngology - head and neck surgery at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. He graduated from Davidson College in 1994, received his M.D. from the Medical University of South Carolina, and completed his residency in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery at the University of North Carolina. Dr. White's practice focuses entirely on the care of children with ear, nose, and throat problems. He has authored over 100 articles and chapters in medical journals and textbooks and has won multiple research awards at national otolaryngology meetings. Dr. White has particular expertise in the treatment of children with ear/hearing problems, speech and swallowing disorders, and airway problems. He is a member of the airway and aspiration center for children, craniofacial anomalies and cleft palate center, the velopharyngeal insufficiency and speech team, the cochlear implant center, and the vascular anomalies program at the Medical University of South Carolina.

Krishna G. Patel, M.D., Ph.D. joined the Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery in August 2008. She is a native of Athens, Georgia and attended Columbia University in New York City for her undergraduate education. She then earned M.D. and Ph.D. degrees through the combined program at the Medical College of Georgia, where she was awarded the Excellence in Research Award. Dr. Patel completed a residency in otolaryngology \&- head and neck surgery at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. Following residency, she pursued fellowship training in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery at the University of California, Davis. During both her residency and fellowship training, Dr. Patel participated in volunteer medical trips to other countries to provide care to the medically underserved. Her recent trips to Ecuador and El Salvador involved surgically repairing children with cleft lips, cleft palates, and ear deformities. She is board certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology and by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. As a member of the MUSC faculty, Dr. Patel's focus is in the areas of aesthetic facial plastic surgery, such as rhinoplasties, Botox, and blepharoplasties. Her practice also includes facial reconstructive surgery, facial trauma surgery, and reconstruction of Mohs defects. She is the director of the Craniofacial Anomalies and Cleft Palate Center and participates in the repair of cleft lips and palates. She also serves on the Executive Board of Directors for the American Board of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. Dr. Patel sees patients in Rutledge Tower on the main campus of MUSC, as well as at off-site locations in Mount Pleasant.

**Clarice S. Clemmens, M.D.** joined the Department of Otolaryngology \&- Head and Neck Surgery and MUSC Children's Hospital in 2015. Prior to joining MUSC, Dr. Clemmens completed a fellowship in pediatric otolaryngology at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Dr. Clemmens grew up in Idaho, and graduated summa cum laude from Clemson University where she played varsity soccer. In 2009, she graduated from medical school at the Medical University of South Carolina, and then completed a residency in otolaryngology at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Clemmens received her board certification from the American Board of Otolaryngology in 2015. Since completing her fellowship, Dr. Clemmens limited her clinical practice to the care of children. As a mother of three children, Dr. Clemmens has developed a special appreciation for the care of children, and she has dedicated her practice to pediatric patients with all types of ear, nose, and throat problems, with a particular emphasis on neonatal airway disorders and thyroid disorders. She has authored multiple papers and book chapters and has given presentations at both the regional and national levels.

Phayvanh P. Pecha, MD, MPH, is an associate professor in the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. She received her medical degree from the University of Minnesota Medical School in 2013 with honors and completed her residency at the University of Utah. She completed her fellowship in pediatric Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at the Medical University of South Carolina in 2019 where she remains on faculty and pursued a Master of Public Health. Dr. Pecha is double board certified in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery as well as Complex Pediatric Otolaryngology. Dr. Pecha's clinical practice is entirely dedicated to the care of children with ear, nose, and throat conditions. Her specific areas of expertise include the treatment of children with obstructive sleep apnea, airway concerns, ear problems, craniofacial differences, jaw distraction, facial plastics, and cleft lip and palate surgery. She is a cleft surgeon on the MUSC multidisciplinary Craniofacial and Cleft Team, which is accredited by the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association. She believes in patient-centered care and involving families in shared decision-making for best outcomes. Academically, Dr. Pecha is a health services researcher with a focus on health equity, particularly in care access for children with obstructive sleep-disordered breathing. Additionally, she is passionate about studying clinical outcomes in children with cleft and craniofacial anomalies. She has authored over 50 articles and chapters in medical journals and textbooks. Her research has been presented at national conferences, and she serves on several national committees. Dr. Pecha has received multiple grants, including the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Foundation grant as well as a K12 Career Development Grant. Outside of medicine, she enjoys music, cuisine, gardening, creating art, and being active outdoors with her husband and daughter.

Helen F. Kulseth PA-C **i**s a Pediatric Otolaryngology Physician Assistant. She grew up in Myrtle Beach, SC and graduated from Presbyterian College in 2005. Prior to PA school she worked as a research assistant in the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry department. In 2012, she received her master's degree in physician assistant studies from MUSC. Shortly after, her family moved to Houston, TX where she worked as a Pediatric Surgical Hospitalist at Texas Children's hospital for five years. Helen returned to Charleston, SC to join the Department of Otolaryngology in 2018. Helen is the Lead Advanced Practice Provider of Otolaryngology.

Zachary Kelly, MD joined the Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery and MUSC Children's Hospital in August of 2024. Dr. Kelly grew up in Boston, Massachusetts. He completed his undergraduate degree at Emory University where he graduated in 2014. He stayed in Atlanta for medical school, earning an MD from Emory University in 2018. He completed his residency training in Otolaryngology at Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx, New York. He then completed a fellowship in Pediatric Otolaryngology at Boston Children's Hospital in 2024. Dr. Kelly's clinical practice is focused on the care of children with ear nose and throat problems. He has a particular interest in sialorrhea, middle ear disease, upper airway and swallowing disorders. He also has a passion for medical education and teaching and has been involved in airway simulation and tracheostomy education for healthcare providers throughout his training. He has authored several publications in the Otolaryngology literature and has been an active participant in national conferences.

Dr. Brandon Esianor is a Pediatric Otolaryngologist with a distinguished background that spans different regions and areas of expertise. Born in Brooklyn, New York, he moved to Accra, Ghana, at a young age and later settled in the Dallas-Fort Worth area during his upbringing. His journey into medicine was preceded by a notable athletic career, excelling particularly in inline speed skating, where he earned multiple national medals and competed internationally. Throughout his medical education and training, Dr. Esianor has demonstrated a profound commitment to mentorship and educational enhancement within the medical community. His leadership was recognized during medical school when he was elected as one of 12 students to serve on the American Association of Medical Colleges Organization of Student Representatives National Board. During his residency at Vanderbilt, Dr. Esianor trained at the nation's top Otolaryngology program, as ranked by Doximity in 2023. He co-founded the House Staff Diversity and Inclusion Alliance, and his clinical acumen was acknowledged by the Emergency Medicine Department, naming him one of the top consulting residents. In addition to his clinical responsibilities, Dr. Esianor is dedicated to supporting the next generation of physicians interested in surgical careers. He will contribute time to the medical school, guiding aspiring surgeons towards their professional aspirations. Dr. Esianor has authored multiple peer-reviewed publications and presented at numerous national conferences. Outside of medicine, he embraces an active lifestyle, enjoying cycling, kayaking, skiing, traveling, and exploring new cuisines. Dr. Brandon Esianor's multifaceted experiences and deep-rooted passion for medicine underscore his commitment to pediatric otolaryngology and the advancement of medical education and mentorship.

Benjamin Oliver, DNP, FNP-C joined the Department of Pediatric Otolaryngology, Head \& Neck Surgery in July 2023. Ben grew up in Boiling Springs, NC and originally obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Appalachian State University before pursuing a career in nursing. He went on to study at the Medical University of South Carolina where he graduated with honors with his Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2019 and a Doctor of Nursing Practice in 2023. Before joining the ENT department, he worked for many years in the recovery room at MUSC's Shawn Jenkins Children's Hospital where he developed an interest in caring for pediatric ENT patients. Ben is dedicated to providing compassionate, top-quality, patient-centered care for children with ear, nose, and throat complications by using the most up-to-date information available along with shared family decision making.