Meet the Champion: Dr. Larry Hartzell, Holder of the Benjamin and Milton Waner, M.D. Endowed Chair in Pediatric Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

On April 24, Larry Hartzell, MD FAAP became the recipient and steward of the Benjamin and Milton Waner, M.D. Endowed Chair in Pediatric Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Every day, Dr. Hartzell, the ENT team and the Cleft Lip and Palate team deliver excellent clinical care to our patients.

Dr. Hartzell grew up in Colorado, Nevada and Arizona before attending Brigham Young University in Utah where he received his undergraduate degree in zoology with a human biology emphasis. He set aside his schooling for two years after his freshman year at BYU to serve a church mission in Barranquilla, Colombia, where he became fluent in the Spanish language. Dr. Hartzell earned his medical degree at the University of Arizona College of Medicine in 2005, and then completed a residency in otolaryngology (ENT) at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Following, he stayed in Arkansas to pursue fellowship training in pediatric otolaryngology, including 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 Program at ACH since 2012.

Dr. Hartzell also has a keen interest in humanitarian medical efforts and has operated on patients with clefts in China, Guatemala, Ecuador and Egypt. He is an active member of his church, providing regular service in different capacities, and is an avid outdoorsman, particularly enjoying camping, hiking, soccer and volleyball. He is a devoted husband and proud father of three children and loves to read, watch movies and build Lego sets (especially related to Star Wars) with his family.

Why Are Endowments Important?

Endowed chairs provide Arkansas Children’s and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences the ability to recruit top leaders in the medical field who can provide the best care for patients. An endowed chair or professorship remains one of the highest honors that the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and Arkansas Children’s can bestow on its most distinguished physicians. Those named to a chair are among the most highly regarded scientists, practitioners and professors in their fields. For more information on how you can champion children with a gift, visit the Arkansas Children's Foundation website.