Dr. Margo McKenna Benoit is the Director of Pediatric Otolaryngology at the University of Rochester Medical Center and Golisano Children’s Hospital, the only free-standing children’s hospital in Rochester, New York. Dr. McKenna Benoit is a board certified Otolaryngologist, and has specialty fellowship training in Pediatric Otolaryngology. Her clinical practice is dedicated to the full spectrum of complex pediatric otolaryngology, including airway and aerodigestive disorders, ankyloglossia (tongue tie), congenital head and neck abnormalities/tumors, pediatric sinus disease, and disorders of the ear and hearing, including implantable hearing devices and cochlear implants. She collaborates closely with providers from the divisions of pulmonary medicine, gastroenterology, sleep medicine, critical care, and the pediatric surgical specialties to provide team-based multidisciplinary care for pediatric patients. Dr. McKenna Benoit established the Center for Aerodigestive Disorders at the University of Rochester, and is dedicated to helping children achieve their fullest potential in health, wellness, growth and development. Dr. McKenna Benoit is skilled at working with children with disabilities, including autism, hearing loss, Down syndrome, and craniofacial disorders.

Dr. McKenna Benoit earned a bachelor of science degree with neuroscience concentration from Cornell University. She pursued her medical training at the University of Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, including a one-year fellowship at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, MD, sponsored by the Howard Hughes Foundation. She completed her surgical and specialty training at Harvard, including a general surgery internship at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital, otolaryngology residency with special research focus at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, and pediatric otolaryngology fellowship at Boston Children’s Hospital.

Dr. McKenna Benoit’s research is centered around the developmental consequences of early childhood events, including the relationship between otitis media-related hearing loss and auditory processing later in childhood, and the impact of tongue tie on feeding and speech development. Results of her research have achieved national and international recognition. She is an active member of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, and the American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology, including committee leadership and guideline development for epistaxis (nose bleeds) and cystic fibrosis-related sinus disease.

Certified Specialties

Otolaryngology - American Board of Otolaryngology

Otolaryngology, Pediatric Otolaryngology - American Board of Otolaryngology

Faculty Appointments

Associate Professor - Department of Otolaryngology (SMD)

Credentials

Residency & Fellowship

Fellowship, Otolaryngology, Pediatric Otolaryngology, Boston Children's Hospital (USA). 2010 - 2012

Residency, Otolaryngology, Mass Eye and Ear/Harvard Medical School. 2004 - 2010

Internship, Surgery (General Surgery), Brigham & Womens Hospital. 2003 - 2004

Education

MD | University at Buffalo. 2003

Awards

GIN (Guidelines International Network) Scholar. 2022

AAMC Leadership and Management Foundations Course Delegate. 2018

ASPO Second Prize, Basic Science Poster Presentation. 2018

URMC Otolaryngology Annual Resident Teaching Award. 2016

AAMC Early Career Women in Medicine and Science Leadership Delegate. 2016

Induction as a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. 2014

Yellen Young Investigator Award. 2010

AAO/HNS Annual Meeting Travel Award. 2009

AAO/HNS Washington Advocacy Conference Travel Award. 2007

Howard Hughes Research Fellowship. 2000 - 2001

Dean's Letter of Commendation, University at Buffalo School of Medicine. 1998 - 1999

Dean's List, Cornell University. 1994 - 1998

Publications

Journal Articles

Polysomnogram outcomes in patients with laryngomalacia and obstructive sleep apnoea treated surgically versus non-surgically.

Casellas NJ, Shah S, Ravikumar S, Vandjelovic ND, Faria J, Allen PD, McKenna Benoit MK

The Journal of laryngology and otology.. 2024 April 138 (4):436-442. Epub 05/22/2023.

Corrigendum to: "Reducing Unplanned Intubations in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit After Children's Surgery: A Quality Improvement Project" [J Pediatr Surg 59 (1) (2024 Jan) 45-52].

Juviler P, Meyers JM, Levatino E, Axford J, Barker E, Correll L, Decker AS, Faria J, Gloff M, Loria A, McKenna Benoit M, Schriefer J, Stevens TP, Verna S, Wegman S, Wolcott K, Wakeman D

Journal of pediatric surgery.. 2024 April 59 (4):747. Epub 02/01/2024.

Risk factors for replacement of tympanostomy tubes after surgical removal for pediatric patients.

Wie K; Shah S; Allen P; Castle M; McKenna M; Faria J.

Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2024; .

Tongue-tie in the NICU population compared to healthy newborns.

McKenna MK; Rosen-Carole C; Burtner M; Wilson J; Greenman S; Shah S; Allen P.

Laryngoscope. 2024; .

The Expert Consensus Statement: Management of Pediatric Persistent Obstructive Sleep Apnea after Adenotonsillectomy.

Ishman SL; Maturo S; Schwartz S; McKenna M, et al.

Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2023; 168(2): 115-130.

Pediatric Tracheostomy Emergency Readiness Assessment Tool: International Consensus Recommendations

Schiff E; Propst EJ; Balakrishnan K; Johnson K; Lounsbury DW; Brenner MJ; Tawfik MM; Pediatric Tracheostomy Emergency Readiness Workgroup (McKenna MK); Yang CJ.

Laryngoscope. 2023; 133(12): 3588-3601.

Tone in Noise Detection in Children with a History of Temporary Conductive Hearing Loss.

McKenna Benoit M, Henry KS, Orlando M, Wong S, Allen P

Journal of the Association for Research in Otolaryngology : JARO.. 2022 December 23 (6):751-758. Epub 10/24/2022.

Upper lip tie: A novel classification scale with improved inter-rater reliability.

So RJ, Jenks C, Ryan MA, Tunkel DE, McKenna Benoit MK, Walsh JM

Laryngoscope investigative otolaryngology.. 2022 October 7 (5):1611-1617. Epub 08/19/2022.

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation otolaryngology care multidisciplinary consensus recommendations.

Kimple AJ, Senior BA, Naureckas ET, Gudis DA, Meyer T, Hempstead SE, Resnick HE, Albon D, Barfield W, Benoit MM, Beswick DM, Callard E, Cofer S, Downer V, Elson EC, Garinis A, Halderman A, Hamburger L, Helmick M, McCown M, McKinzie C, Phan H, Rodriguez K, Rubenstein RC, Severin A, Shah G, Shenoy A, Sprouse B, Virgin F, Woodworth BA, Lee SE

International forum of allergy & rhinology.. 2022 September 12 (9):1089-1103. Epub 02/22/2022.

Adenoidectomy may decrease the need for a third set of tympanostomy tubes in children.

Hancock S, Allen P, Dixon A, Faria J, Vandjelovic N, McKenna Benoit M

International journal of pediatric otorhinolaryngology.. 2022 June 157 :111130. Epub 04/11/2022.

Actinomyces Acute Rhinosinusitis Complicated by Subperiosteal Abscess in an Immunocompromised 12-Year-Old: Case Report and Literature Review.

Nimmagadda SV, Man LX, McKenna MK, Faria JJ, Schmale IL

Case reports in otolaryngology.. 2022 2022 :7058653. Epub 04/11/2022.

Sublabial Approach for Repair of Congenital Nasal Pyriform Aperture Stenosis: How I Do It.

Luitje M, Vandjelovic N, McKenna Benoit M, Faria J

The Laryngoscope.. 2021 October 131 (10):2352-2355. Epub 03/05/2021.

Upper Lip Tie: Anatomy, Effect on Breastfeeding, and Correlation With Ankyloglossia.

Shah S, Allen P, Walker R, Rosen-Carole C, McKenna Benoit MK

The Laryngoscope.. 2021 May 131 (5):E1701-E1706. Epub 10/02/2020.

Recorded Flexible Nasolaryngoscopy for Neonatal Vocal Cord Assessment in a Prospective Cohort.

Chorney SR, Zur KB, Buzi A, McKenna Benoit MK, Chennupati SK, Kleinman S, DeMauro SB, Elden LM

The Annals of otology, rhinology, and laryngology.. 2021 March 130 (3):292-297. Epub 08/14/2020.

Right-sided cheek mass in a 10-year-old male.

Wilson JL; Casellas NJ; Evans AG; McKenna Benoit, M.

Otolaryngology Case Reports. 2021; 18.

Drug-induced sleep endoscopy findings in surgically-naïve obese vs non-obese children.

Lookabaugh S, McKenna M, Karelsky S, Davis M, Didas A, Allen P, Faria J

International journal of pediatric otorhinolaryngology.. 2020 November 138 :110289. Epub 08/08/2020.

Adenotonsillectomy for pediatric obstructive sleep apnea: how to predict those at risk for postoperative complications.

Connolly HV, Tomaselli LT, McKenna Benoit MK

Journal of clinical sleep medicine : JCSM : official publication of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.. 2020 January 1516 (1):3-4. Epub 12/05/2019.

Clinical Practice Guideline: Nosebleed (Epistaxis).

Tunkel DE, Anne S, Payne SC, Ishman SL, Rosenfeld RM, Abramson PJ, Alikhaani JD, Benoit MM, Bercovitz RS, Brown MD, Chernobilsky B, Feldstein DA, Hackell JM, Holbrook EH, Holdsworth SM, Lin KW, Lind MM, Poetker DM, Riley CA, Schneider JS, Seidman MD, Vadlamudi V, Valdez TA, Nnacheta LC, Monjur TM

Otolaryngology--head and neck surgery : official journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.. 2020 January 162 (1_suppl):S1-S38. Epub 1900 01 01.

Clinical Practice Guideline: Nosebleed (Epistaxis) Executive Summary.

Otolaryngology--head and neck surgery : official journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.. 2020 January 162 (1):8-25. Epub 1900 01 01.

Adenotonsillectomy for pediatric obstructive sleep apnea: how to predict those at risk for postoperative complications.

McKenna Benoit MK, Tomaselli LT, Connolly HV

Journal of clinical sleep medicine : JCSM : official publication of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.. 2019 December 5 Epub 12/05/2019.

On Parenting.

McKenna Benoit M

JAMA.. 2019 November 19322 (19):1863. Epub 1900 01 01.

Ankyloglossia and Other Oral Ties.

McKenna Benoit M, Walsh J

Otolaryngologic clinics of North America.. 2019 October 52 (5):795-811. Epub 07/25/2019.

Amplitude Modulation Detection in Children with a History of Temporary Conductive Hearing Loss Remains Impaired for Years After Restoration of Normal Hearing.

McKenna Benoit M, Orlando M, Henry K, Allen P

Journal of the Association for Research in Otolaryngology : JARO.. 2019 February 20 (1):89-98. Epub 10/17/2018.

Potential Cytochrome P450 Drug-Drug Interactions among Pediatric Patients Undergoing Tonsillectomy.

Faria J, Solverson M, Faria M, Benoit M, McCormick M

Otolaryngology--head and neck surgery : official journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.. 2019 January 160 (1):145-149. Epub 08/14/2018.

Defining Tip-Frenulum Length for Ankyloglossia and Its Impact on Breastfeeding: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Walker RD, Messing S, Rosen-Carole C, McKenna Benoit M

Breastfeeding medicine : the official journal of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine.. 2018 April 13 (3):204-210. Epub 03/20/2018.

Chronic stridor secondary to erosion of esophageal foreign body into mediastinum.

Lookabaugh, S.; Wakeman, D.; Pegoli, W.; Chaturvedi, A.; McKenna Benoit, M.

J Pediatr Surg Case Rep. 2018; 37: 13-15.

Adenoidal follicular T helper cells provide stronger B-cell help than those from tonsils.

Morris MC, Kozara K, Salamone F, Benoit M, Pichichero ME

The Laryngoscope.. 2016 February 126 (2):E80-5. Epub 10/29/2015.

The presentation and management of mandibular tumors in the pediatric population.

Benoit MM, Vargas SO, Bhattacharyya N, McGill TA, Robson CD, Ferraro N, Didas AE, Labow BI, Upton J, Taghinia A, Meara JG, Marcus KJ, Mack J, Rodriguez-Galindo C, Rahbar R

The Laryngoscope.. 2013 August 123 (8):2035-42. Epub 05/13/2013.

Endoscopic removal of an esophageal button battery under fluoroscopic guidance.

Wu YH, Benoit M, Jones DT

Otolaryngology--head and neck surgery : official journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.. 2011 August 145 (2):358-9. Epub 1900 01 01.

A 42-year-old man with facial nerve weakness and multiple recurrent pleomorphic adenoma.

Benoit MM, Handzel O, McKenna MJ, Deschler DG

Otology & neurotology : official publication of the American Otological Society, American Neurotology Society [and] European Academy of Otology and Neurotology.. 2010 September 31 (7):1157-9. Epub 1900 01 01.

Primary and multisensory cortical activity is correlated with audiovisual percepts.

Benoit MM, Raij T, Lin FH, Jääskeläinen IP, Stufflebeam S

Human brain mapping.. 2010 April 31 (4):526-38. Epub 1900 01 01.

Lobular capillary hemangioma of the nasal cavity in a five-year-old boy.

Benoit MM, Fink DS, Brigger MT, Keamy DG

Otolaryngology--head and neck surgery : official journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.. 2010 February 142 (2):290-1. Epub 1900 01 01.

Facial nerve hemangiomas: vascular tumors or malformations?

Benoit MM, North PE, McKenna MJ, Mihm MC, Johnson MM, Cunningham MJ

Otolaryngology--head and neck surgery : official journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.. 2010 January 142 (1):108-14. Epub 1900 01 01.

Facial Nerve Hemangiomas: Vascular tumors or malformations?

McKenna Benoit M.; North P.E.; McKenna M.J.; Mihm M.C.; Johnson M.M.; and Cunningham M.J.

Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery. 2010; 142(1): 108-14.

Multisensory cortical activity is correlated with audiovisual percepts

McKenna Benoit M.; Lin FH.; Raij T.; Jaaskelainen I.; and Stufflebeam, S.

Human Brain Mapping. 2010; 31(4): 526-38.

A 42-year-old man with facial nerve weakness and a history of recurrent pleomorphic adenoma.

McKenna Benoit M.; Handzel O.; McKenna M.J.; and Deschler D.G.

Otology Neurotology. 2010; 31(7): 1157-9.

Paraganglioma of the hypoglossal nerve.

Fink DS, Benoit MM, Lamuraglia GM, Deschler DG

The Laryngoscope.. 2010 120 Suppl 4 :S147. Epub 1900 01 01.

Image guidance systems for minimally invasive sinus and skull base surgery in children.

Benoit MM, Silvera VM, Nichollas R, Jones D, McGill T, Rahbar R

International journal of pediatric otorhinolaryngology.. 2009 October 73 (10):1452-7. Epub 08/19/2009.

Image Guidance Systems for Minimally Invasive Sinus and Skull Base Surgery in Children

McKenna Benoit M.; Silvera M.; Jones D.; McGill T.; and Rahbar R.

International Journal of Pediatric Otolaryngology. 2009; 73(10): 1452-7.

Cancer of the nasal cavity in the pediatric population.

Benoit MM, Bhattacharyya N, Faquin W, Cunningham M

Pediatrics.. 2008 January 121 (1):e141-5. Epub 12/17/2007.

Cancer of the nasal cavity in the pediatric population

McKenna Benoit M.; Bhattacharyya N.; Faquin W.; and Cunningham M.

Pediatrics. 2008; 121(1): e141-5.

Case 20: An 11-year-old boy with a calcified mass in the nose. Margo McKenna Benoit, personal communication

Cunningham MJ.; Lin DT.; Curry WT.; Ebb DH.; Yock TI.; Curtin HD.; and Faquin WC.

New England Journal of Medicine. 2007; 356(26): 2721-30.

Extraesophageal acid reflux and recurrent respiratory papilloma in children.

McKenna M, Brodsky L

International journal of pediatric otorhinolaryngology.. 2005 May 69 (5):597-605. Epub 1900 01 01.

Extraesophageal acid reflux and recurrent respiratory papilloma in children

McKenna M.; and Brodsky L.

International Journal of Pediatric Otolaryngology. 2005; 69: 597-605.

Pessoa L.; McKenna M.; Gutierrez E.; and Ungerleider L.

Neural processing of emotional faces requires

Local excision of rectal carcinoma

Chorost M.; Petrelli N.; McKenna M.; Kraybill W.; and Rodriguez-Bigas M.

American Surgeon. 2001; 67(8): 774-9.

The treatment of chronic esophageal strictures with home self-bougienage, experience and review of the literature

Heller B.; McKenna M.; and Nava H.

Roswell Park Cancer Institute internal publication. .

Books

MedLink Neurology (2014)

Chapter: Identification of hearing loss in infants and children

Authors: Wong, S.; Benoit, M.; Schor, N.

Publisher: MedLink Corporation, San Diego 2014

Pediatric Otolaryngology, 2nd Edition (2011)

Chapter: Congenital Anomalies of the Larynx and Trachea

Authors: Margo McKenna Benoit and Roger C. Nuss

Publisher: Thieme, New York 2011

Ratings & Comments

At URMC, we believe that patients should be empowered to make the right decisions regarding their personal healthcare. To do so, transparency is critical. URMC partners with Press Ganey, to survey our patients about all aspects of their care experience. We are now putting this pertinent information at your fingertips by displaying star ratings for our providers along with anonymous patient comments on our website. This will help you make better-informed choices about how and with whom you seek care. Click here to learn more about the surveys used to generate this vital information. Learn more about our survey process.

Ratings

During this visit, did this provider spend enough time with you?

4.9

During this visit, did this provider show respect for what you had to say?

5.0

During this visit did this provider give you easy to understand information about these health questions or concerns?

4.9

During this visit, did this provider listen carefully to you?

5.0

During this visit, did this provider explain things in a way that was easy to understand?

5.0

Patient Comments

We are so pleased with Dr. McKenna Benoit. She was kind, throughout, and knowledgeable. We felt we were in very kind, reassuring, and experienced hands. Thank you!

Aug 09, 2024

Dr McKenna is an amazing and caring doctor!

Sep 04, 2023

5.0

Have recomended her many times

Jul 19, 2023

5.0

Provider was friendly and listened to concern [...]

Jul 18, 2023

5.0

Dr. McKenna is very thorough and takes extra time to answer any questions and concerns.

Dec 09, 2022

Dr. McKenna was very knowledgeable, patient, and took the time to answer every single question about our daughter's condition. I really appreciate her taking the time to explain everything to us.

Nov 18, 2022

5.0

We love Dr. McKenna. She took extra time out of her day to remove my son's ear tube sitting in the canal because I was concerned about it. She was extremely patient with my son due to his fear. Thank you Dr. McKenna and staff!

Feb 04, 2022