About

About Us

Committed to Patient Care

We believe that when you take the necessary time to understand each patient’s specific condition and combine that with an unparalleled level of care and guidance, you get the best patient outcomes. We also believe that it is important to provide a well-rounded team of professionals that can accommodate all the ENT conditions our patients may be experiencing.

All the Care You Need

At ENT Specialists of Orange County, we work with a team of experienced providers capable of addressing both medical and surgical aspects of any ear, nose, and throat conditions as well as provide audiological services. This includes treatment of:

  • Nose and sinus related problems
  • Allergies
  • Snoring and sleep apnea
  • Conditions of the salivary glands
  • Head and neck diseases
  • Medical and surgical ear conditions
  • Hearing loss
  • Facial aesthetics and reconstruction.

With offices located in Irvine, Newport Beach, and Seal Beach, we are committed to providing full ENT care to patients throughout the Orange County and Long Beach area.

Our Team of Professionals

Kenneth Zuckerman, M.D.

Dr. Zuckerman is a board-certified otolaryngologist and has been treating patients in the Orange County area for over 35 years.

Dr. Zuckerman received a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Emory University and his Medical Degree from New York University School of Medicine. He completed his internship and residency at the University of California at Irvine Medical Center.

Dr. Zuckerman is on the staff of Hoag Hospital and has served as Chairman of the Department of Otolaryngology. He is on the staff at Newport Plaza Surgery Center, and also serves on the Board of Directors of Greater Newport Physicians.

Carolyn Nagel Lyn, PA

Carolyn Nagel Lyn serves as Dr. Shohet’s Physician Associate.  She has been practicing as a physician associate since 2006.  She is nationally board certified and fully licensed by the state of California to diagnose, treat, and prescribe medications. In addition, she has advanced training by Dr. Shohet to specifically treat conditions related to the ear.

Carolyn received her medical training at Loma Linda University and graduated in 2006 with a Master’s degree in Physician Associate Studies. She also completed a Master’s degree in Health Promotion from Virginia Tech University in 2003.  She earned her Bachelor of Science with honors at the University of California at Los Angeles in 2001, majoring in Physiological Sciences.

Physician Associate Lyn also has extensive experience in the field of research. While working at Shohet Ear Associates she conducted research on surfer’s ear.  Her research entitled “Ear Canal Exostoses: The relationship between surfing footedness and asymmetric growth severity” was presented as a poster at the American Academy of Otolaryngology’s Combined Otolaryngology Spring Meeting in 2008 .  In May of 2006, while at Loma Linda University, Carolyn also completed research entitled, “What Are Adult’s Attitudes, Intentions, and Behaviors Regarding Skin Cancer? A Survey Among Southern Californians.”

Carolyn has a diverse background and experience in many different aspects of patient care.  In addition to specialty care of the ear, she has in-depth experience in internal medicine, occupational medicine, and urgent care.   Prior to her medical training, Carolyn worked in corporate health and cardiac rehabilitation.

Jessica Tran, PA

Jessica is a nationally board-certified physician assistant (PA-C) with a special interest in otolaryngology who works directly with Dr. Shohet. She received her Master of Science degree in Physician Assistant studies from Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, CA, and her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the University of California, Riverside. Prior to PA school, Jessica worked as a medical scribe in emergency medicine and otolaryngology at Shohet Ear Associates. She returned to Shohet Ear Associates as a PA-C with advanced training from Dr. Shohet for ear-related conditions. Jessica is eager to apply her knowledge and skills to positively impact patients’ well-being. She is committed to staying current with the latest medical advancements, actively seeking opportunities for continuing education to provide the best possible care. Jessica is a member of the California Academy of Physician Associates.

During her free time, Jessica enjoys cooking and baking new recipes, spending time with family and friends, and attending concerts (with earplugs).

Alexandra Laursen, PA-C

Alexandra Laursen, PA-C, is a nationally board-certified Physician Associate and is fully licensed by the state of California to diagnose, treat, and prescribe medications. In addition, she received advanced training from Dr. Shohet to specifically treat conditions related to the ear and worked alongside him for over 3 years.

Alexandra received her medical training at Southern California University of Health Sciences, earning a Master of Science degree in Physician Assistant Studies. She obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Social Behavior from the University of California, Irvine.

Physician Associate Laursen has extensive patient care experience and has worked in emergency medicine as an EMT and a clinical scribe. She is also on staff at Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach, where she cares for patients in both perioperative and inpatient settings and has participated in a variety of surgeries as a first assist.

Alexandra offers a warm and collaborative approach to patient care. Her belief is that “patient education is key to a patient’s overall success.” This philosophy drives her to make more genuine connections with patients as well as their families to foster education, and understanding and ensure the most high-quality care.

Cheryl Tanita, Au.D., CCC-A

Cheryl Tanita serves as Chief of the Audiology Division and has been a practicing audiologist since 1993. She is fully certified and licensed by the state of California, and a member of American Academy of Audiology and American Speech-Language Hearing Association. In addition, she has completed advanced training in specialized diagnostic techniques such as Electrocochleography (EcoG), Steady State ABR (ASSR), Vestibular Autorotation Testing (VAT), Videoelectronystagmography (VNG) as well as cochlear implant and implantable hearing device evaluation and rehabilitation.

Cheryl is also very active in research. She served as Principal Investigator in the six-year Clinical Trial on Neuromonics Tinnitus Treatment completed in 2013, Sub-Investigator in the SoundBite Hearing System clinical study that concluded 2013, and continues as Clinical Coordinator for the Esteem Totally Implantable Hearing System Extended Follow-up of PMA Study. In addition to her patient care and research activities, she has served on the Board of Directors for the non-profit HearAid Foundation in Newport Beach since 2010.

Cheryl has a diverse background and experience in many different aspects of Audiology. She earned her Doctor of Audiology degree from the University of Florida, her bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Arizona State University, and master’s degree in Audiology from Syracuse University. Prior to graduation, she completed her externship at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary in Boston, where she put her education to work by evaluating hearing disorders, and providing rehabilitative services such as hearing aid dispensing, cochlear implant and aural rehabilitation. After graduation, she moved to Chicago and joined Illinois Masonic Medical Center, a full diagnostic and trauma center in the heart of Chicago. Certified in Audiology, Cheryl collaborated with others to set up Illinois’ first early intervention and detection program for hearing loss in infants.

After seven years with Illinois Masonic Medical Center, Cheryl shifted her focus. She joined Siemens Corporation, where she was actively involved in research and development that included both international and domestic relations. She was also a National Account Representative for the continental United States, Alaska, Puerto Rico and Guam.

Gina Patzkowski, Au.D., CCC-A

Gina joined ENT Specialists of Orange County after earning her Doctor of Audiology degree from the University of Arizona. She is fully certified and licensed by the state of California and also earned the ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology (CCC-A) for academic performance and clinical experience.

As a Clinical Audiologist, Gina conducts comprehensive audiologic evaluations for adult and pediatric patients and has received advanced training in vestibular assessment and electrophysiological testing including ABR, ECochG, and VEMP. She provides hearing aid and assistive listening device consultation, selection, fittings and follow up to ensure patient satisfaction. She also conducts patient candidacy evaluations, mapping and follow up for cochlear implants and consultation, selection, fitting and programming for implantable hearing devices. In addition, Gina provides counseling to ENT Specialists of Orange County patients to help improve communication.

Gina received her Bachelor of Science from Indiana University, majoring in Speech and Hearing Sciences with a minor in Psychology. She completed her doctoral externship at OC Physicians’ Hearing Services, and in February of 2015, she was the first author on a paper published in BMC Geriatrics Journal “The impact of cochlear implantation on cognition in older adults: a systematic review of clinical evidence.” Gina is a member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and a fellow of the American Academy of Audiology.

Jacqueline Bibee, Au.D., CCC-A

Jackie joined ENT Specialists of Orange County after earning her Doctor of Audiology degree from the University of Washington. She is fully certified and licensed in California as a Clinical Audiologist and also earned the ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology (CCC-A) for academic performance and clinical experience.

Jackie conducts adult and pediatric diagnostic and rehabilitative services. She has received advanced diagnostic training in auditory evoked potential diagnostics such as Videonystagmography (VNG), cervical and ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potential (cVEMP, oVEMP), and Auditory brainstem response (ABR). She fits daily-wear and extended-wear hearing aids, assistive listening devices, and specialty hearing devices including EarLens, Maxum, Baha, and cochlear implants. In addition, she conducts tinnitus and hyperacusis evaluations, counseling, and treatment programs. Jackie received her Bachelor of Science degree from University of Washington with a double major in Speech & Hearing Sciences and Public Health. She completed her doctoral externship at the Mayo Clinic in Arizona. Jackie has published research on spatial hearing in the Journal of Acoustical Society of America.

Emma Movik, Au.D., CCC-A

Emma joined ENT Specialists of Orange County after earning her Doctor of Audiology degree from Arizona State University. She attended the University of Colorado at Boulder for her undergraduate studies where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences with a minor in Linguistics.

Emma has extensive experience counseling patients on hearing loss and communication strategies that can help them live life more fully. She performed her clinical externship with Shohet Ear Associates working closely with the medical and audiology team to learn the intricacies of the latest hearing technologies.

As a clinical audiologist, she performs diagnostic hearing tests and vestibular assessments including Videonystagmography (VNG) and Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials (VEMP). She performs auditory evoked potential tests including Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR), Auditory Steady State Response (ASSR), and Electrocochleography (ECochG). In addition to diagnostic testing, Emma provides hearing aid consultations, fitting, and adjustment appointments. She performs candidacy evaluations, fittings, and adjustments for cochlear implants, bone-anchored hearing aids, and middle ear implants.

Emma enjoys many aspects of audiology, including implementing the latest research and technology as well as using her interpersonal skills to connect with her patients. Her goal each day is to listen and adapt to the needs of the individuals she treats in order to offer a high level of patient-centered care.

Jillian Bassett, Au.D., CCC-A

Jillian joined Shohet Ear Associates after earning her Doctor of Audiology degree from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. She attended Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana, where she earned her undergraduate Bachelor’s degree in Speech and Hearing Services. As a clinical audiologist, it is Jillian’s priority to provide her patients with individualized, patient-centered care rooted in evidence-based research. Jillian completed her clinical externship at Shohet Ear Associates, working directly with our multidisciplinary team of medical professionals and audiologists to stay up to date on cutting-edge hearing technologies. Jillian provides her patients with consultation appointments, fitting appointments, and adjustments for hearing technologies, including hearing aids, Cochlear implants,bone-anchored hearing aids, and middle ear implants. Jillian performs a variety of diagnostic hearing tests, evoked auditory potential tests, and vestibular assessments, including VEMP testing, VNG, ASSR, ABR, and ECochG testing.