Biographical summary
Shelagh Cofer M.D. is a pediatric otolaryngologist with specialty interest in complex pediatric otolaryngology conditions and/or medically complex patients with common ORL problems. Her clinical focus includes:
- Evaluation and management of fetal head and neck disorders
- Care of children with congenital or acquired masses or tumors of the face, head and neck
- Expertise in surgical management of children with cleft lip and/or cleft palate
- Expertise in treatment of congenital or acquired velopharyngeal insufficiency in children and adults
- Care and diagnosis of children with aerodigestive disorders, or problems breathing, feeding, and swallowing
- Laryngotracheal reconstruction for a variety of conditions such as subglottic stenosis or vocal fold paralysis
- Reconstruction of children's airways to achieve tracheal tube removal
- Promoting each patient's understanding of disease and empowering patients and caregivers to become partners in managing their health
In addition to her clinical activities, Dr. Cofer is active in research and education, providing mentorship to residents and fellows. She authors expert content and publishes in high-impact scientific journals.
Dr. Cofer directs Mayo's Pediatric Otolaryngology Division, the Aerodigestive Clinic and the Velopharyngeal Insufficiency Clinic
Conditions treated
- Cleft lip
- Cleft palate
- Congenital anomaly of the larynx
- Congenital anomaly of the trachea
- Congenital craniofacial anomaly
- Congenital neck anomaly
- Head and neck cancer
- Laryngeal cleft
- Laryngeal papillomatosis
- Laryngeal trauma
- Sinusitis
- Subglottic stenosis
- Tracheal stenosis
- Tumors and masses
- Vascular malformation
- Velopharyngeal insufficiency
- Vocal cord paralysis
Procedures performed
Interests
- Pediatric cleft lip and palate repair
- Prominent ears correction
- Velopharyngeal dysfunction
- Fetal head and neck disorders
- Pediatric head and neck masses and tumors
- Juvenile nasal angiofibromas
- Pediatric vascular and lymphatic malformations
- Subglottic and tracheal stenosis
- Pediatric laryngotracheal reconstruction
Mayo Clinic locations
Education
- 2003
Fellow - Pediatric Otolaryngology - Head & Neck SurgeryMinneapolis Children's Hospital, University of Minnesota
- 2002
Resident - Otolaryngology - Head & Neck SurgeryUniversity of Illinois Medical Center, Chicago
- 1998
InternshipDepartment of Surgery, University of Illinois Hospital
- 1997
MDUniversity of Illinois College of Medicine at Chicago
- 1988
BA - Biological Sciences with HonorsUniversity of Chicago
Activities and honors
Certifications
- 2021
Complex Pediatric OtolaryngologyAmerican Board of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
- 2003
Otolaryngology � Head & Neck SurgeryAmerican Board of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
Awards and honors
- 2019
Alumni of the Year 2019University of Illinois at Chicago
- 2006
Communication Services AwardVanderbilt Bill Wilkerson Center
- 2001
First Place, Lederer-Pierce Resident Research Competition, Chicago; "Fibrin Sealant Application for the Treatment of Cerebrospinal Fluid Leaks"Chicago Laryngological and Otological Society
- 1998
Warren H Cole Outstanding Surgery Student AwardUniversity of Illinois College of Medicine at Chicago
- 1997
Edmund James ScholarUniversity of Illinois College of Medicine at Chicago
- 1997
Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor SocietyAlpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society
- 1996
Dean's Commendation for USMLE-I Score (96th Percentile)University of Illinois College of Medicine at Chicago
- 1995
P.E.O. Scholar AwardP.E.O. International
- 1994
Dr. CM Craig Summer Research FellowUniversity of Illinois College of Medicine at Chicago
- 1988
Richter Scholarship for Undergraduate ResearchUniversity of Chicago
- 1983
LaVerne Noyes Full Tuition ScholarshipUniversity of Chicago
Professional memberships
- 2022 - present
Task Force MemberMCFPS General Medicine/Surgery-ENT Task Force
- 2018 - present
MemberAerodigestive Society
- 2015 - present
Fellow MemberTriological Society
- 2015 - present
Active MemberPediatric Surgical Interest Group, Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine
- 2012 - 2014
PresidentMinnesota Academy of Otolaryngology
- 2010 - 2012
President-ElectMinnesota Academy of Otolaryngology
- 2010 - present
Committee MemberAmerican Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
- 2010 - 2019
MemberSurgical Quality Subcommittee, Mayo Clinic Rochester Surgical Committee, Mayo Clinic Rochester Committees
- 2009 - present
MemberResearch Committe, Department of Otorhinolaryngology
- 2009 - present
MemberAmerican Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology
- 2008 - 2018
Board MemberMinnesota Academy of Otolaryngology
- 2008 - present
Patient Education LiasonDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology
- 2006 - present
MemberAmerican Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association
- 2004 - present
FellowAmerican Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
- 1997 - present
MemberAlpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society
-
MemberAmerican Academy of Pediatrics
Publications
Research activities