Ron Benson Mitchell, MD $$

Ron Mitchell, M.D., specializes in caring for children with a wide range of conditions related to ear, nose and throat—from complex sleep conditions and snoring to hearing loss and swallowing issues. He strives to ensure children have the comprehensive care they need from a team of pediatric specialists.

“I enjoy working with children,” Dr. Mitchell says, “and I think otolaryngology is a fascinating specialty. You’re dealing with some of the most significant disorders that affect children, including hearing and speech, breathing and swallowing.”

At Children’s Health, Dr. Mitchell serves as Director of the Ear, Nose and Throat division, focusing on the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea, which can affect a child’s behavior, sleep, health and overall quality of life.

“Over the last 10 years, the pediatric community has increasingly recognized that obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is not just a disorder of adults, but also affects a significant number of children,” Dr. Mitchell says.

Dr. Mitchell has developed multidisciplinary clinics where many different specialists can see a child on the same day. These clinics bring together otolaryngologists, pulmonologists, gastroenterologists and other specialists to offer expertise and multi-specialty care coordination under one roof. “When specialists cross traditional medical boundaries and work together to develop comprehensive care plans focused on every component of a child’s well-being, we see patient outcomes improve, patient engagement increases and the patient and family experience is more satisfying.”

“Ten percent of children really need a different approach to care,” Dr. Mitchell says. “I think Children’s Health is pioneering that approach in North Texas.” Dr. Mitchell is committed to offering comprehensive care that maximizes convenience for families.

I think otolaryngology is a fascinating specialty. You’re dealing with some of the most significant disorders that affect children, including hearing and speech, breathing and swallowing.

Dr. Mitchell is also Chief of Pediatric Otolaryngology, Professor and Vice Chairman of Otolaryngology, and the William Beckner, M.D., Distinguished Chair in Otolaryngology at UT Southwestern.

Dr. Mitchell graduated from medical school at the University of Southampton in England and completed general surgery training, including a fellowship at the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (FRCSEd) and in otolaryngology in London (FRCS – Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery). He also completed a pediatric otolaryngology fellowship at LeBonheur Children’s Medical Center in Memphis, TN. In addition to being a Diplomate of the American Board of Otolaryngology, Dr. Mitchell is a fellow of both the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh and the Royal College of Surgeons of England.

Much of Dr. Mitchell’s research has made headlines, including his finding that surgery generally improves the quality of life for children with obstructive sleep apnea. He has published dozens of peer-reviewed articles, as well as many book chapters and three books on pediatric otolaryngology.

As an expert in otolaryngology, he edits four otolaryngology journals and serves as a peer reviewer for an additional eleven journals. He is a requested lecturer across the country and internationally and presents on pediatric otolaryngology and associated conditions. He is actively involved in national associations including serving as a leader and chair of multiple committees within the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.

In 2008, Dr. Mitchell received the prestigious Honor Award from the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery in recognition of his many volunteer contributions. From 2007 through 2012, Dr. Mitchell was selected by his peers as one of the Best Doctors in America.

In his free time, Dr. Mitchell enjoys spending time with his family, including his five children.