George H. Zalzal, MD

Emeritus Chief, Ear, Nose and Throat (Otolaryngology)

Otolaryngologist

George H. Zalzal, MD, FACS, FAAP, is the emeritus division chief of Otolaryngology at Children’s National Hospital. He is a fellowship-trained pediatric otolaryngologist (ear, nose and throat specialist) and a tenured professor of surgery and pediatrics at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences. He is board-certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery and holds subspecialty certification in Complex Pediatric Otolaryngology.

Dr. Zalzal is internationally recognized for his expertise in pediatric airway management and is considered one of the world’s pioneering leading experts in pediatric laryngotracheal reconstruction and endoscopic management, such as supraglottoplasty for the treatment of severe laryngomalacia. He provides complex pediatric ENT care at Children’s National as well as general ENT services at affiliated ambulatory sites.

He earned his medical degree followed by residency from the American University of Beirut in 1983.  Then did a two-year fellowship in Complex Pediatric Otolaryngology at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital (1983–1985) and stayed on staff for one year. He joined the faculty at Children’s National in 1986 and served as division chief for 28.5 years (1994–2022), during which time he expanded the division into a nationally and internationally recognized leader and training center in complex pediatric otolaryngology. Dr. Zalzal has trained over 60 fellows and many more residents over the years.

Dr. Zalzal has authored more than 160 peer-reviewed publications and presented research at over 250 national and international meetings. He served as associate editor of JAMA Archives of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery for 10 years and currently serves on editorial review boards for multiple specialty journals. He also served as president of the American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology (2003–2004). In recognition of his many contributions, Dr. Zalzal received the Distinguished Service Award from the American Academy of Otolaryngology and the Gabriel F. Tucker Award from the American Laryngological Association.

• Ear, Nose and Throat (Otolaryngology)