Maria T. Pena, MD

Director, Quality Improvement and Safety

Co-Director, Complex Sinusitis Program

Otolaryngologist

Maria Peña, MD, FACS, FAAP, is a fellowship-trained pediatric otolaryngologist (ear, nose and throat specialist) at Children’s National Hospital and a professor of surgery and pediatrics at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences. She is board-certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery.

Dr. Peña specializes in multidisciplinary management of complex pediatric sinusitis, airway disorders, obstructive sleep apnea and quality improvement.  She is also a member of the Children’s National Craniofacial Team.  Dr. Peña is a recognized leader in the management of complex pediatric sinusitis and co-founded the Complex Sinusitis Program at Children’s National in 2014 to provide coordinated and comprehensive care to children with complex sinonasal disease.  She provides complex pediatric ENT care at Children’s National and general ENT services at affiliated ambulatory sites.

She earned her medical degree from Wayne State University in 1991. Dr. Peña completed her residency in Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery at the State University of New York at Buffalo (1991–1996), followed by a fellowship in Complex Pediatric Otolaryngology at Children’s National Hospital/George Washington University (1996–1998).

Dr. Peña has authored more than 30 peer-reviewed manuscripts and eight book chapters in the field of otolaryngology. She has received multiple NIH grants to study the role of mucus overproduction and inflammation in pediatric chronic rhinosinusitis.  Dr. Peña is an active member of the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery and the American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology, and has chaired and/or served on multiple national committees within both organizations. She also serves as a reviewer for multiple leading journals in the field of otolaryngology.

• Ear, Nose and Throat (Otolaryngology)