The Aerodigestive Playbook: Lessons from Challenging Cases

The Aerodigestive Playbook: Lessons from Challenging Cases

In this episode of the SENTAC [https://www.instagram.com/entkids/] Podcast, Dr. Michael McCormick speaks with pediatric otolaryngologist Dr. Alanna Windsor, MD, and speech-language pathologist Hannah Tahan-Jackson about the multidisciplinary care of children with aerodigestive disorders at Children's Hospital at Montefiore [https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.cham.org/programs-centers/aerodigestive-program-at-montefiore-adam__;!!H8mHWRdzp34!4zsc-V1kMRix97Wk2ANNXJrhDrNPwZl7iRgmmRX1qwvAHleBumLXmBVp4sUTh-s7zID7zCGgQiOuAEZ1fbkXyvYn9A$] in the Bronx, NY. Cases discussed include vocal fold paralysis, tracheo-esophageal fistula, laryngeal cleft, laryngotracheal reconstruction, and laryngomalacia. The conversation highlights how collaborative decision-making between ENT and speech & language pathology improves diagnosis, perioperative planning, and long-term outcomes, with an emphasis on the value of integrated aerodigestive clinics to reduce family burden while creating cohesive care plans for medically complex children. Listeners will gain practical insights into swallowing evaluation, family counseling, surgical decision-making, and postoperative follow-up. The episode underscores that successful aerodigestive care depends on strong interdisciplinary partnerships and a shared commitment to patient- and family-centered care. Host: Michael McCormick, MD: Pediatric Otolaryngologist, Children's Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI Email mmccormick@mcw.edu [mmccormick@mcw.edu] with podcast topic suggestions or if you would like to be a guest on The SENTAC Podcast. Guests: Dr. Alanna Windsor Assistant Professor and Pediatric Otolaryngologist Montefiore Einstein / Children's Hospital at Montefiore Hannah Tahan-Jackson, MS, CCC-SLP Senior Speech & Language Pathologist at Children's Hospital at Montefiore Assistant Professor at New York Medical College Instagram: @thefeedingslp_ [https://www.instagram.com/thefeedingslp_/] & @hannahjt26 [https://www.instagram.com/hannahjt26/]

Culturally Responsive Pediatric Dysphagia Care

In this episode, Dr. Michael McCormick chats with speech and language pathologist Jenan Maaz (IG: @jenan.slp [https://www.instagram.com/jenan.slp?igsh=MXc2MGJlY3dvcTlnZA==]): * Bilingual, multiethnic practicing Speech-Language Pathologist with a specialty in swallowing/feeding across the lifespan and DEI * Board Certified Specialist in Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders * Experience in all medical SLP settings primarily in acute care and NICU * Certified MBSImP clinician, and a FEES provider for patients across the lifespan. * Assistant Professor at CSU, Stanislaus  Jenan explains why culturally responsive care is essential in pediatric feeding evaluations, but also in other aspects of our care for these children.  They discuss how language access, food insecurity, family feeding traditions, and provider bias can all shape evaluations and outcomes—often in ways clinicians may not immediately recognize. From rethinking the label “noncompliant” to adapting diet recommendations around culturally familiar foods, this conversation offers practical, team-based strategies that clinicians can hopefully implement right away.  If you care for children with feeding or swallowing disorders, this episode will challenge assumptions and provide concrete steps to strengthen both safety and trust with families. If you have a topic for a future SENTAC podcast or are interested in recording one yourself, please reach out to Mike McCormick [%20mmccormick@mcw.edu].

Improving Hearing Outcomes through Raised Awareness: The CMV Conversation

In this episode, SENTAC speaks with a group of passionate pediatric audiologists from across the country to shine a light on one of the more under-detected causes of newborn hearing loss — congenital CMV. They share stories from the front lines of advocacy, discuss the challenges of limited screening and awareness, and celebrate the progress being made in their states. The conversation blends clinical insight, personal motivation, and grassroots determination to change how we identify and support children affected by CMV.  Tune in to hear how collaboration and advocacy are rewriting the story of newborn hearing health — one baby at a time. Host: Michael McCormick, MD: Pediatric Otolaryngologist, Children's Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI Guests:  Mallory Baker, AuD, CCC-A: Pediatric Audiologist, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, WA; Founder and Director, Washington CMV Project Kelsey Dumanch, AuD, CCC-A: Pediatric Audiologist, Children's Minnesota, St. Paul, MN Meg Pearson, AuD, CCC-A: Pediatric Audiologist, Seattle Children's, Seattle, WA Kristen Ponturiero, AuD, CCC-A: Pediatric Audiologist, UNC Health, Chapel Hill, NC Lucy Woerfel-Reising, AuD, CCC-A: Pediatric Audiologist, Children's Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI Links: Children's Wisconsin [https://www.childrenswi.org/].    Instagram: @childrenswi   [https://www.instagram.com/childrenswi/] Seattle Children’s Hospital [https://www.seattlechildrens.org/].    Instagram: @seattlechildrens [https://www.instagram.com/seattlechildrens/?hl=en]      Patient education: CMV [https://www.seattlechildrens.org/globalassets/documents/for-patients-and-families/pfe/pe903.pdf], CMV and Infant Hearing Testing [https://www.seattlechildrens.org/globalassets/documents/for-patients-and-families/pfe/pe4195.pdf] Minnesota Children's Hospital [https://www.childrensmn.org/%20].    Instagram: @childrensmn [https://www.instagram.com/childrensmn/?hl=en]      MN Dept of Health: CMV Information [https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/cytomegalovirus/index.html__;!!H8mHWRdzp34!_ija37qFHyAriz_7eMZK8Nvm8LxfoN3M2okVu84xbXPM_I8nHTPZW4qgD-eaoVvcvv4R08zDkJ1ScSrvI-t8WyuFWZs4hmIB$] UNC Health [https://www.unchealth.org/].    Instagram: @unchealth [https://www.instagram.com/unchealth/] Washington CMV Project [https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.wacmvproject.com__;!!H8mHWRdzp34!5N0aDAWxUM23GiR9PzEgVdYaOSHiuhaqg7WzS1pbRn3i8E31RPB3yn5x6IutdP4InkbwHAcQc7wr2MIPdgZQZVJ8o7AlnsascQ$].  Instagram: @wacmvproject [https://www.instagram.com/wacmvproject/], email@wacmvproject.org [email@wacmvproject.org]

What's New In Pediatric Sleep Surgery?

What happens when tonsil and adenoid surgery isn’t enough for kids with obstructive sleep apnea? In this episode, Dr. Michael McCormick sits down with Dr. Taher Valika and Dr. Saied Ghadersohi from Lurie Children’s Pediatric Otolaryngology team to unpack the latest innovations in pediatric sleep surgery. From why sleep apnea matters, to what to do when T&A falls short, to how to utilize sleep endoscopy to provide site-specific airway surgery, including groundbreaking advances in tongue base suspension—the conversation highlights how far the field has come. You’ll also hear about multidisciplinary approaches to pediatric sleep surgery that are helping to reshape outcomes for kids and families. If you care for children with obstructive sleep apnea—or just want to know what’s next in this field—this episode is packed with insights, real-world experience, and a hopeful look toward the future. @SENTAC @lurieotolaryngology @chicagoairwaydoc

Dr. Joseph Kerschner: Reflections on Innovation, Advocacy, and the Future of Pediatric Otolaryngology

Dr. Joseph Kerschner is a Pediatric Otolaryngologist at Children's Wisconsin and is now Dean Emeritus at the Medical College of Wisconsin where he served as Dean of the School of Medicine for 14 years.  He has also led an NIH-funded lab studying otitis media for over 24 years. In this unique conversation, Dr. Kerschner reflects on his career and achievements and also that memorable SENTAC meeting in Milwaukee 🥶.  He emphasizes how engagement with other disciplines through SENTAC helped shape his research goals and how important it is to talk with the other specialties at your own institution to drive your clinical care and research efforts.  They also discuss the exciting partnership between SENTAC and the International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology (IJPORL) on a special edition highlighting the best presentations at the 2024 conference in Denver. The episode also explores some of the current challenges to healthcare and healthcare research, and dives into Dr. Kerschner's passion for health equity and medical sustainability and the environment, and gives examples of how to advocate for your clinical interests and help translate them into policy.  Finally, Dr. Kerschner gives some insight into what he is most excited about for the future of pediatric ENT and what advice he would want young ENTs entering residency to know today. (QUICK NOTE: This podcast was recorded in early February, prior to the Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl victory 🦅.) Dr. Kerschner can be reached with questions via LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-kerschner-9889b617] or by email [Kerschnerjoseph100@gmail.com]: Kerschnerjoseph100@gmail.com.  Please reach out to the SENTAC Communications Committee if you have interest in sharing your work on the podcast. Michael McCormick [mmccormick@mcw.edu]: mmccormick@mcw.edu (episode host) Madison Howe [mhowe@uams.edu]: mhowe@uams.edu