BOARD CERTIFIED: OTOLARYNGOLOGY HEAD AND NECK SURGERY
Dr. Blank joins our practice after relocating from St. Louis, MO. A native of Memphis, TN, she received her medical degree from the Medical College of Virginia. Here, she was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha honor society and awarded the Dean’s Award for the highest academic achievement. Dr. Blank completed her residency training in Otolaryngology at Washington University/Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. While in residency, she trained extensively in all aspects of head and neck surgery, including pediatrics, oncology, rhinology, otology, and facial plastic surgery. She enjoys treating patients of all ages and has a special interest in general pediatric otolaryngology. Additionally, Dr. Blank’s clinical interests include the medical and surgical treatment of sinus disease and allergy, salivary gland disorders, and diseases of the thyroid and parathyroid glands.
Dr. Blank has been selected as Washingtonian Magazine “Top Doc”.
During her free time, Dr. Blank enjoys spending time with her husband and two year old daughter.
Q: Why do tonsils & adenoids need to be removed?
A: Tonsils & adenoids are most often removed when they become enlarged and block the airway, restricting breathing. This can lead to loud snoring, restless sleep and gasping. They are also removed if certain illnesses such as strep throat and tonsil infections cannot be treated with antibiotics.
Q: Will I be asleep during the tonsillectomy?
A: Yes, the procedure is performed under general anesthesia, which means you are asleep, and will not feel a thing. With young children one parent is allowed in the operating room while the child goes to sleep. For young children it is often possible to put them too sleep before the IV is placed so the child does not experience any pain.
Q: How long will my son or daughter take to recover from a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy?
A: Young patients will typically require 10-14 days of recovery. Most children will be out of school for 1-2 weeks. We recommend avoiding exercise and strenuous activity for 3 weeks after surgery.
Q: Will I need to stay overnight?
A: In most cases, a tonsillectomy is an outpatient procedure. Patients younger than 2 years of age or those with severe apnea may require an overnight hospital stay.
Q: What can I expect when my son or daughter comes home from surgery?
A: Sometimes, patients vomit after surgery, but vomiting should cease about 24 hours after surgery. It is not unusual to have a low grade fever. You should call your doctor is the temperature exceeds 101.5°F
A: Many parents become concerned when their child continues to snore after surgery. Especially if the reason for surgery was to correct loud snoring and obstructive breathing. Don’t worry it is very normal for your child to continue to snore for several days after surgery because of swelling. When the swelling resolves you will frequently see that your child no longer snores. In fact they are sometimes so quite that parents wonder if they are still breathing.
A: Scabs in the area where the tonsils and adenoids were removed will appear white and cause bad breath. They will often break away in pieces about a week after surgery. While this looks like pus it is not a sign of infection and is not reason for concern.
A: Yes, children will often complain of ear pain after tonsillectomy. Sometimes the ears actually hurt more than the throat even thought the ears were not operated on. This is because the same nerve provides sensation to the throat and the ear.
A: Weight loss is very typical in tonsillectomy. Patents should not worry about calories or nutrition for the first two weeks after surgery. The most important thing is that your child drinks plenty of liquids and stays well hydrated. This not only prevents dehydration but it helps keep the throat from drying out which. When the pain resolves your child will begin eating again and are back at the normal weight in no time.
A: Minor bleeding from the nose or in the mouth is very typical, but if you experience flowing blood from the mouth or nose, contact your physician and go to the emergency room right away.
A: It is very important that patients drink plenty of fluids, such as water and apple juice, to recover quickly. It is also important that patients try not to rush to get back to school or work and get plenty of rest.
A: The swelling of the surgical area has not yet happened, therefore no pain is felt. The first few days after surgery there tends to be less pain. About 3 days after surgery
Claire is a graduate of the University of Virginia where she received a major in biology with a minor in psychology. She completed her Master of Sciences in Physician Assistant Studies from Midwestern University in Downers Grover, Illinois. She is certified by the National Commission on the Certification of Physician Assistants. 
Originally from northern Virginia, she returned home after graduate school. She is excited to join Fairfax ENT and Facial Plastic Surgery to serve the otolaryngologic needs of patients. She also enjoys addressing patients’ cosmetic concerns through laser hair removal, Broadband Light, and laser resurfacing treatments.
In her free time, she enjoys traveling, exploring the outdoors, and trying new foods.
Dr. Scheidemandel was born in Germany and studied medicine at the universities of Erlangen and Munich, Germany. He had his specialty training at the University of Colorado Medical Center in Denver and at Baylor University, in Houston Texas. He is board certified in Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery. From 1962 to 2000 he was on the teaching staff of George Washington University. He has a special interest in problems of the ear.
Otolaryngology and Sleep medicine
Board Certified: Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery
Board Certified: Sleep Medicine
Dr. Timothy Egan completed his residency at Boston University, where he honed his skills in otolaryngology. He served as Chief Resident atwhere he gained valuable leadership experience. . Dr. Egan went on to become the Residency Director for the Walter Reed Residency Program, further expanding his expertise in training future otolaryngologists. He also contributed to the education of medical professionals at Inova Fairfax Hospital, a leading healthcare institution. His extensive training and leadership roles have equipped him with the knowledge and skills to provide high-quality care to his patients.
Dr. Timothy Egan is a highly skilled and experienced board-certified otolaryngologist (ENT) and sleep medicine specialist. He is recognized for his expertise in treating obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), particularly for patients who cannot tolerate CPAP therapy. Dr. Egan was the first surgeon in Fairfax County to perform Inspire hypoglossal nerve stimulator surgery, a cutting-edge treatment for sleep apnea, and has performed more of these surgeries than anyone else in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia area. His outcomes have earned him recognition as a Center of Excellence for his experience with this procedure.
As a board-certified sleep medicine specialist, Dr. Egan is uniquely qualified to manage both the medical and surgical aspects of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. He is also experienced in interpreting overnight sleep studies, providing comprehensive care for patients with these conditions. His excellence in both fields has led to his selection as a “Top Doc” by Washingtonian Magazine.
Dr. Timothy Egan’s patients who undergo Inspire therapy for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) experience exceptional outcomes, with an average reduction of 88% in respiratory events, as measured by the Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI). This is significantly better than the national average, highlighting the effectiveness of his expertise and approach. Inspire therapy, which involves a hypoglossal nerve stimulator, is well tolerated by Dr. Egan’s patients, making it a highly successful treatment option for those who cannot tolerate traditional CPAP therapy. His results underscore his position as a leading provider in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia areas for this innovative treatment.
In addition to his work with sleep apnea, Dr. Egan specializes in a variety of nasal airway surgeries, including septoplasty, turbinate reduction, nasal polypectomy, and complex endoscopic sinus surgeries. He is an expert in minimally invasive sinus surgery and focuses on treating conditions such as chronic sinusitis, nasal polyps, and nasal airway obstruction. Dr. Egan is particularly skilled in revision sinus surgeries and employs advanced techniques such as image-guided sinus surgery and in-office balloon sinuplasty, which offers a non-invasive treatment option for chronic sinusitis under local anesthesia. Many patients who are CPAP intolerant have undiagnosed nasal airway obstruction, which can make it difficult to use CPAP therapy effectively. Dr. Timothy Egan recognizes that addressing this underlying issue can often help patients tolerate CPAP more comfortably. By treating nasal airway problems—such as chronic sinusitis, nasal polyps, or a deviated septum—Dr. Egan can improve airflow, allowing patients to breathe more easily during sleep. As a result, many patients are able to comfortably wear a smaller nasal mask rather than the more cumbersome full-face mask typically needed when nasal congestion is a problem. This treatment approach not only improves CPAP compliance but also enhances the overall quality of sleep for patients
Dr. Timothy Egan is frequently invited to present at medical conferences, where he shares his extensive expertise on Inspire Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulator Therapy. His deep knowledge and experience with this innovative treatment for obstructive sleep apnea have made him a sought-after speaker at events in the medical community. His presentations typically focus on the effectiveness of Inspire therapy, patient outcomes, and his unique insights, contributing to the advancement of the field and educating fellow healthcare professionals about the benefits of this life-changing therapy.
.
Dr. O’Halloran’s practice covers all aspects of General Adult and Pediatric Otolaryngology including surgical management of diseases involving the Ears, Nose, Sinuses, Throat, Airway and Neck such as nasal obstruction, chronic sinusitis, sleep apnea, neck and thyroid masses. Dr. O’Halloran has a strong clinical experience in the surgical treatment of Head and Neck Cancer including Parotid and Thyroid tumors. He has a special interest and additional board certification in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery which involves the treatment of a wide variety of congenital, traumatic and cosmetic problems of the face, head and neck including Facial Skin Cancer, Moh’s Reconstruction, Rhinoplasty, Nasal Reconstruction and Facial Nerve Rehabilitation.
As a double Board Certified Facial Plastic and Head & Neck Surgeon, Dr. O’Halloran is uniquely qualified in surgery of the face.
Dr. O’Halloran served for eight years as Chief of Otolaryngology at Inova Fairfax Hospital where he was elected for two terms.
He holds numerous medical related patents and is the inventor of the leading medical device to treat nasal turbinate hypertrophy, a primary cause of nasal obstruction. The Inferior Turbinate Microdebrider Blade is manufactured and marketed worldwide by Medtronic Inc.
He has been selected as US News & World Report Top Doctor, Castle-Connelly Top Doc as well as Washingtonian Magazine “Top Doc” and Arlington Magazine Top Doctor.
Undergraduate:
University of Michigan
Medical Degree:
University of Michigan
Elected Alpha Omega Alpha
Residency:
Barnes Hospital
Washington University, St. Louis,MO
Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
Board Certifications:
American Board of Otolaryngology
American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Academic Appointment:
Clinical Assistant Professor,
Georgetown University
Dept. Of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
