Pediatrics CertifiedLarry Hartzell, MD

Dr. Larry Hartzell grew up in Colorado, Nevada and Arizona and then attended Brigham Young University in Utah, where he received his undergraduate degree in Zoology with a human biology emphasis. He set aside his schooling for 2 years after his freshman year at BYU to serve a church mission in Barranquilla, Colombia, where he became fluent in Spanish. Dr. Hartzell earned his medical degree at The University of Arizona College of Medicine in 2005. Then he completed a residency in Otolaryngology (ENT) at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.  He then stayed in Arkansas to pursue fellowship training in Pediatric Otolaryngology, including an extensive experience in the comprehensive care of cleft patients at Arkansas Children’s Hospital (ACH).  He has been the director of the cleft lip and palate team and the Velopharyngeal Insufficiency (VPI) clinic at ACH since 2012.

Dr. Hartzell is an active participant in multiple local and national committees. He is academically active in research and education locally, nationally, and internationally.  He is board certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. He is a member of numerous medical organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association, American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American Academy of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery.  His major research interests include cleft lip and palate, velopharyngeal insufficiency, hemangiomas and surgical management of hearing loss and otologic disease.

Dr. Hartzell also has a strong interest in medical humanitarian efforts and has operated on patients with clefts in China, Guatemala, Ecuador and Egypt. He is a devoted husband and proud father of 3 children. He is an active member of his church and provides regular service in different capacities. He is also very involved in many outdoor activities including camping, hiking, soccer and volleyball. He loves reading, watching movies and building Lego sets (especially related to Star Wars) with his children.

Dr. Hartzell has been actively engaged in clinical and benchtop research throughout his career. Much of his research has been associated with cleft lip and palate outcomes and certain speech disorders (such as velopharyngeal insufficiency). He developed a database to track outcomes and trends involving patients with cleft lip and palate and is engaged in quality improvement projects resulting from this data. Additionally, Dr. Hartzell has investigated the repair of tympanic membrane perforations, including novel tissues and devices. He has also researched hemangiomas, sleep apnea, and airway anomalies.

Published work in My Bibliography

Medical Degree

• University of Arizona College of Medicine - 2005

Residency

• University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences - 2010

Fellowship

• Arkansas Childrens Hospital - 2012