BAPO 2026
Speakers.

Juliana Bonilla-Velez
Paediatric Otolaryngologist,
Seattle Children's Hospital

Dr. Juliana Bonilla-Velez, MD, MS is an Associate Professor and Pediatric Otolaryngologist, Head & Neck Surgeon at Seattle Children’s Hospital and the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle, WA, USA.

She is the Surgical Director of the Seattle Children’s Vascular Anomalies Program, and Co-Director of the Vascular Anomalies Task Force, a national group of pediatric otolaryngologists focused on the management of vascular anomalies.

Ray Clarke
President of BAPO
from 2014-16
Prof Clarke recently retired as a consultant at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital.  He was one of the first whole-time children’s ENT doctors in the NHS and has a particular interest in education and training.
 
He was awarded the Silver Scalpel as best surgical trainer in the NHS in 2004 and has contributed to, authored and edited numerous textbooks. He was President of BAPO from 2014-16 and President of ESPO from 2023-25. 
 
Suzanne Crowe 
Paediatric Anaesthetist and ICU Consultant at Crumlin Hospital, Dublin

Suzanne Crowe is a Paediatric Anaesthetist and ICU Consultant at Crumlin Hospital, Dublin and is President of the Irish Medical Council.

She has written a memoir titled ‘Intensive Care: True Stories of Healing , Heartache and Hope from Inside Irish Children’s Medicine’ that details the enormous challenges faced by health staff who are dealing with incredibly vulnerable patients as well as the wonderful moments that can happen between doctors, patients and their families. 

Sharon Cushing
Director of the Cochlear Implant Program, The Hospital for Sick Children

Sharon Cushing is a full time paediatric otolaryngologist and the Director of the Cochlear Implant Program at The Hospital for Sick Children and a Full Professor at the University of Toronto. 

Dr. Cushing has a clinical and surgical interest in disorders of the external, middle and inner ear, including hearing loss and vestibular dysfunction.  Her research interest include vestibular and balance function and dysfunction in children, and its association with hearing loss and cochlear implantation.  

Chris Grime
Respiratory Consultant
Alder Hey Childrens Hospital
Chris is a respiratory Consultant at Alder Hey Childrens Hospital. He completed his training at Royal Brompton Hospital, Evelina London Children’s Hospital, Kings College Hospital and Great Ormond Street Hospital. 
 
He has completed a MDRes with Imperial College London studying sleep disordered breathing and its association with asthma in children. He has an interest in Sleep disordered breathing, Sleep medicine and the use of technology in healthcare. 
Grace Khong
Consultant Paediatric ENT Surgeon
Ader Hey Children’s Hospital

Grace Khong is a dual fellowship trained Consultant Paediatric ENT Surgeon at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, Liverpool, where her work includes advanced rhinology and skull base surgery.

She serves as faculty on international courses, has numerous book chapters and peer-reviewed publications, and is a member of the ESPO Standing Scientific Committee.

Nara Orban
Consultant Paediatric Otolaryngologist
Royal London Hospitals

Ms Nara Orban is a Consultant Adult and Paediatric Ear, Nose and Throat Surgeon with specialist expertise across paediatric ENT, rhinology, and laryngology. She provides both private and NHS care, working at Chiswick Medical Centre, The Harley Street Clinic Diagnostic Centre, and Barts Health.

She completed her medical degree at Imperial College and Charing Cross Hospitals and subsequently achieved Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons. Ms Orban also holds a PhD in autoimmunity, supporting her specialist interest in immune-related conditions affecting ENT practice.

Thomas Eliot Pearce
Medical Student
Cardiff University

Thomas Eliot Pearce is 19 years old and currently studying medicine at Cardiff University. He has the craniofacial condition Pfeiffer syndrome type 2 and has undergone numerous surgeries throughout his life.

Through his experiences, he aims to share insight into both the medical journey and the wider impact the condition has had on his life. He has also represented patients at the charity Headlines and at NHS England.

Vibha Sharma
Consultant in Paediatric Allergy
Royal Manchester Children's Hospital

To follow.

Marlene Soma
Consultant Paediatric ENT Surgeon
Sydney Children’s Hospital
Dr Soma is a Consultant Paediatric ENT Surgeon with a particular interest in paediatric airway surgery at Sydney Children’s Hospital, Sydney. She trained at both Great Ormond St Hospital for Children and at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.  
 
She is actively involved in teaching and research, runs courses for registrars, nurses and other ENT Surgeons. She is an executive member of the Australian New Zealand Society Paediatric Otorhinolaryngology (ANZSPO). She is skilled in the management of complex airway disorders and champions a multidisciplinary approach. 
Liam Sutton
Consultant Paediatric ENT Surgeon
Great Ormond Street Hospital

Mr Liam Sutton is a Paediatric Otolaryngologist, Head and Neck and Tracheal Consultant at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children.

He established the first paediatric hypoglossal nerve implant service in Europe. In addition to his interest in complex sleep, he specialises in paediatric airway surgery and rhinology.