Dr. Ron Mitchell appointed director of pediatric otolaryngology-head and neck surgery at the VCU Medical Center

By Pamela DiSalvo Lepley

RICHMOND, Va. – Dr. Ron B. Mitchell has been appointed associate professor and director of Pediatric Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center.  Until Dr. Mitchell’s appointment, there were no pediatric otolaryngologists in the central Virginia region.

Dr. Mitchell will be providing pediatric ear, nose and throat specialty care, especially for children with ear, airway, sleep apnea and neck problems.  

“Children with complicated airway problems in the Richmond area have had little choice but to go out-of-state for treatment,” said Dr. Aristides Sismanis, professor and chair of the VCU Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Department.  “Pediatric otolaryngology is a relatively new specialty, and we’re pleased that with the appointment of Dr. Mitchell to our staff, the more complicated ear, nose and throat problems of children now can be dealt with here.”

Dr. Mitchell comes to the VCU Medical Center from the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, where he was assistant professor of pediatric otolaryngology, head and neck surgery.  His clinical expertise encompasses management of upper airway-digestive tract problems and pediatric otology.  Dr. Mitchell has strong clinical and research interests in pediatric airway problems, particularly sleep apnea, and the effect of sleep disturbances on behavior, school performance and a child’s overall quality of life.

Dr. Mitchell is a graduate of the University of Southampton Medical School in the United Kingdom and completed his residency at the University of London.  He completed a fellowship in pediatric otolaryngology at LeBonheur Children’s Medical Center in Memphis, Tenn. 

Dr. Mitchell will see patients at the VCU Medical Center Children’s Pavilion in downtown Richmond and at the Richmond Eye & Ear Medical Office Building at Stony Point.