Dr. Samantha Anne joins Akron Children's as director of Pediatric Ear and Hearing Disorders and director of Otolaryngology Research

10-29-2026 (Akron, Mahoning Valley, Ohio)

Dr. Samantha Anne, a pediatric otolaryngologist specializing in complex ear and hearing disorders, has joined Akron Children’s as director of Pediatric Ear and Hearing Disorders and director of Otolaryngology Research. In these roles, she will lead the department's clinical and research programs across all locations and services.

Dr. Anne will initially focus on caring for patients with complex otologic conditions at Akron Children's Golisano Campus, with plans to expand her clinical practice to include appointments at Akron Children’s Health Center in Beachwood.

Prior to joining Akron Children’s, Dr. Anne served as medical director of Pediatric Ear and Hearing Disorders at Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital Head & Neck Institute. Alongside her clinical responsibilities, she taught pediatric otolaryngology to rotating otolaryngology residents and medical students.

Dr. Anne is board-certified in otolaryngology—head and neck surgery and has completed fellowship training in pediatric otolaryngology, with additional board certification in complex pediatric otolaryngology. After earning her medical degree from Wayne State University, she completed a two-year internship in otolaryngology at the State University of New York in Syracuse, followed by an otolaryngology residency at University Hospitals and Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. She then completed a pediatric otolaryngology fellowship at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.

A recognized leader in her field, Dr. Anne has held leadership roles in several national professional organizations, including the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, the American Board of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, and the American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology. She was elected to serve on the Exam Council of the American Board of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. She also serves as program chair for the American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology’s 2027 annual meeting, scheduled to take place in Seattle next April.

Dr. Anne has made significant contributions to pediatric otology and hearing research. She has edited a textbook on pediatric sensorineural hearing loss, authored multiple book chapters, and published more than 120 articles in peer-reviewed journals. Over the past two decades, she has delivered numerous presentations on research and innovation at professional conferences. Dr. Anne is frequently invited to speak nationally and internationally on cochlear implantation and pediatric hearing disorders, reflecting her recognized expertise and leadership in the field.

Dr. Anne will lead Akron Children’s cochlear implant program. She is also qualified to provide gene therapy for certain forms of genetically related sensorineural hearing loss, bringing specialized treatment expertise to children and families affected by these conditions.

Her clinical and research interests include cochlear implantation, endoscopic ear surgery, cholesteatoma, chronic ear disease, and pediatric hearing loss.