Kaitlyn Zenner, MD

"As a pediatric otolaryngologist and scientist, I’m passionate about caring for children and advancing our understanding of genetic causes of pediatric head and neck diseases, especially vascular anomalies. At the University of Washington and Seattle Children’s Hospital, I’m proud to be part of a team committed to groundbreaking research and exceptional care. I listen closely to families and tailor evidence-based, personalized treatment plans to each child’s unique needs."

Kaitlyn Zenner, MD, is an assistant professor of pediatric otolaryngology-head and neck surgery at the University of Washington. Dr. Zenner earned her MD at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine. She completed residency training in otolaryngology at the University of Washington in Seattle, WA including two years of research training under a T32 training grant. She then completed her fellowship in pediatric otolaryngology at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital in Cincinnati, OH. 

Dr. Zenner practices all aspects of pediatric otolaryngology and her primary clinical and research interests include vascular anomalies, thyroid and parathyroid disease in pediatrics, and airway reconstruction. She is part of the Vascular Anomalies team at Seattle Children’s Hospital and works closely with this team and the Seattle Children’s Research Institute to study the genetics of vascular malformations. 

She lives with her husband and their dog. She enjoys hiking, camping, art museums, and cooking for friends and family. 

Medical School: University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA

Internship: Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, WA

Residency: Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, WA

Fellowship: Pediatric Otolaryngology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH

Board Eligible: Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery

Memberships: American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology (ASPO), American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS), Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society (AOA), International Society for the Study of Vascular Anomalies (ISSVA)

2022: William Potsic Basic Science Research Award, 1st place, American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology 

2020: William Potsic Basic Science Award, 3rd place, American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology 

2019: Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award Individual Fellowship, F32, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute

2019: American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology Resident Research Grant

2019: AAO-HNS/F Resident Leadership Grant

2015: AOA Medical Honor Society

2013: Emory D. Warner Medical Student Research Fellowship, University of Iowa            

2012: Cancer in the Underprivileged, Indigent, and Disadvantaged (CUPID) Fellowship, Johns Hopkins Medical Center

Dr. Zenner’s clinical interests include most aspects of pediatric otolaryngology including management of tonsils and adenoids, neck masses, pediatric airway, and middle ear disease with a subspecialty focus on vascular malformations, thyroid and parathyroid disease, and tracheotomy and airway reconstruction.

Dr. Zenner’s research focuses on the study of genetic contributions to pediatric head and neck disease. She is primarily interested in the study of vascular malformations which are caused by somatic activating mutations within the endothelial cells lining the malformation. Her translational work is aimed at improving genetic diagnosis and identifying targeted therapies for individuals with vascular malformations.