I am a pediatric otolaryngologist (ENT) at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital. I care for children, adolescents and teens with hearing loss, chronic ear infections and sleep apnea. I also manage airway diseases, swallowing disorders, voice conditions and a variety of head and neck pathology.

I knew I wanted to become a doctor at a very young age. I planned to become a pediatrician until I rotated within the ENT department during medical school. I was drawn to the fact that the specialty offers both medical and surgical management of conditions to help children thrive.

As pediatric ENTs, we can really impact our patients’ quality of life from a young age. Improvement in hearing or sleep quality has lasting effects that we can see shortly after treatment. Swallowing and voice disorders can also have a significant impact on patient’s growth and development. Being able to treat this spectrum of disease is very rewarding.

I believe in shared decision-making with my patients and their families. We work together to plan the best way forward and I take the time to answer and address their questions and concerns. I want each child and their family to feel comfortable and confident in our care plan.

I look forward to helping my patients overcome their challenges and then following them as they grow outside of the office and hospital.

Hospital Affiliations

• Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital
• Memorial Hospital Miramar
• Memorial Hospital West
• Memorial Regional Hospital

Gender

• Female

Education

University of Louisville School of Medicine, 2015

Residency

University of Louisville School of Medicine, 2020, Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery

Fellowships

Children's National Medical Center, 2021, Pediatric Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery

Certifications

Publications

Professional Organizations

• American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology

Presentations

• Allen SB, Owczarzak VL, Smith GM. Case Report: A case of Systemic Juvenile Xanthogranuloma presenting in the oropharynx and the role of the otolaryngologist in diagnosis. 8/2018- 6/2020
  • This is a case report evaluating the role of the otolaryngologist in the diagnosis of Systemic Juvenile Xanthogranuloma through the presentation of a patient with a history of generalized eruptive histiocytosis. This patient was found to have hypermetabolic tonsils on PET evaluation after he presented to hematology- oncology clinic with concern for new onset diabetes insipidus. Tonsillectomy and skin biopsy lead to proper diagnosis and eventual treatment of the patient.
  • Abstract presented as a poster at American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology Summer Meeting 2019.
• Allen SB, Chandran SK, Owczarzak VL, Cash E, Goldman JL. Prospective Study: Childhood Functioning in Patients Undergoing Tonsillectomy. 1/2017- 6/2020
  • Evaluating the presence of behavior disorders in sleep disordered breathing and identifying the role in tonsillectomy in treating behavioral disorders +/- improving children’s’ quality of life.
  • Abstract presented as a poster at American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology Spring Meeting 2019.
• Allen SB, Preciado D, Koenigs M, Calleroz A, Pena M. Sinonasal angiomatous polyps in the pediatric population. 3/2021
  • Case series examining two patients who presented with sinonasal masses and pathology was consistent with sinonasal angiomatous polyps. Discussed work up and management of this rare benign pathology as well as follow up of these two patients following surgical intervention.

Awards

• Resident Research Award, 6/2019 – Awarded to the resident with the most productive research year within our department