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Cristina Baldassari, MD, FAAP, FACS

Professor

Otolaryngology


Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters

757.668.9327


Cristina Baldassari, MD, FAAP, FACS is board certified in Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Complex Pediatric Otolaryngology and also in Sleep Medicine. 

Dr. Baldassari is interested in examining the complex interplay between disease severity and quality of life in children with sleep apnea. Her recent research has also been focused on innovations in the evaluation of children with sleep apnea including research on biomarkers for pediatric OSA. She is actively working to identify ways to improve treatment outcomes in this population including studying novel surgical techniques.

In addition to her work at EVMS Medical Group, Dr. Baldassari is part of the Sentara-EVMS Comprehensive Head and Neck Center, Hampton Roads' leading interdisciplinary team for head and Neck treatment.

Faculty Appointments

Professor

Office Hours

Monday 8:00AM - 5:00PM
Tuesday 8:00AM - 5:00PM 
Wednesday  8:00AM - 5:00PM 
Thursday 8:00AM - 5:00PM 
Friday 8:00AM - 5:00PM 

Medical Education

Albany Medical College
Albany, New York

Residency

Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, Virginia

Fellowship

Children's National Medical Center (Pediatric Otolaryngology)
Washington, DC

Board Certifications

American Board of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
American Board of Sleep Medicine

Research Interests

  1.  Molin N, Sina EM, Creighton E, Kaki PC, Boon M, Huntley C, Baldassari CM. Sleep Education in Otolaryngology Residency Programs: Trends Over the Past Decade. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2025 Aug 28. doi: 10.1002/ohn.70008. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40874393.
  2. Cabrera AJ, Li D, Redline S, Chervin RD, Ishman SL, Baldassari CM, Mitchell RB, Amin R, Hassan F, Ibrahim S, Ross KR, Kirkham EM, Zopf DA, Cielo CM, Young LR, Furth SL, Garetz S, Rosen CL, Wang R, Tapia IE. Adenotonsillectomy and Blood Pressure in Children with Mild Obstructive Sleep-Disordered Breathing: An Exploratory Analysis of the PATS Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2025 Aug 28:e252555. doi: 10.1001/jamaoto.2025.2555. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40875240; PMCID: PMC12395361.
  3. Whelan RL, Baldassari CM. “Non-obstructive sleep apnea pediatric sleep disorders: what the otolaryngologist should know." Curr Opin Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2025 Jul 3. doi: 10.1097/MOO.0000000000001066. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40601414.
  4. Bakker JP,  Zhang F, Amin R,  Baldassari CM,  Chervin RD, Garetz SL, Hassan F, Ibrahim S, Ishman SL, Kirkham EM, Linden A, Mitchell RB, Naqvi K, Rosen CL, Ross K, Tapia IE, Young LR, Yu PK, Redline S, Wang R. “Adenotonsillectomy and Health Care Utilization in Children with Snoring and Mild Sleep Apnea: A Randomized Clinical Trial”. JAMA Pediatrics 2025. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapediatrics.2025.0023.
  5. Tsou PY, Gueye-Ndiaye S, Gorman KL, Williamson A, Ibrahim S, Weber S, Zopf D, Hassan F, Baldassari C, Sendon C, Wang R, Redline S, Li D, Ross KR. “Asthma and sleep disordered breathing in the pediatric adenotonsillectomy trial for snoring study.” Sleep Breath. 2024 Dec 4;29(1):46. doi: 10.1007/s11325-024-03210-1. PMID: 39633037.
  6. Yu PK, Cook K, Tapia IE… Baldassari CM. “Symptoms, Quality of Life, and Executive Function in Children Who Snore”. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2024 Dec 19. doi: 10.1001/jamaoto.2024.4373. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39699925.
  7. Frederick RM, Baldassari CM. “Titration Protocol for Upper Airway Stimulation in Pediatric Patients With Down Syndrome”. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2024 Oct 31: e243701. doi:10.1001/jamaoto.2024.3701. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39480464; PMCID: PMC11581599.
  8. Bluher AE, Kearney T, Vazifedan T, Baldassari CM. “Vitamin D Deficiency and Pediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnea Severity”. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2024 Oct 31: e243737. doi:10.1001/jamaoto.2024.3737. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39480411; PMCID: PMC11581719. Article Highlighted in National Press (MEDSCAPE)
  9. Larrow, DR MD, Marcus, KS MD, Gipson, K. MD, Skotko, BG MD, Baldassari CM MD, Smith, DF MD, Heubi, CH MD, Tobey, A MD, Nikhila, R. MD, Vangel, M, PhD, Hartnick, CJ MD. “Upper Airway Stimulation for Children Adolescents with Down Syndrome: Long-Term Follow-Up”. The Laryngoscope. 2024 Oct 9. Doi: 10.1002/lary.31828. Epub ahead of print.
  10. Ibrahim S, Ievers-Landis CE, Taylor HG, Tapia IE, Williamson AA, Cole MC, Gurbani N, Chervin RD, Hassan F, Mitchell RB, Naqvi K, Baldassari C, Edlund W, Wang R, Wei Z, Li D, Redline S, Rosen CL. “Bedsharing Sleep Characteristics in Children With Mild Sleep-Disordered Breathing. J Clin Sleep Med. 2024 Sep 20. doi: 10.5664/jcsm.11352. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39302128.

     

    Presentations and Scholarships

    Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters

    Clinical Practice Locations

    Chesapeake
    Health Center at Oakbrooke
    500 Discovery Drive
    Chesapeake, Virginia 23320
    Location Phone: 757.668.2342
    Appointments: 757.668.9327

    Newport News
    Health and Surgery Center at Oyster Point
    11783 Rock Landing Drive
    Newport News, Virginia 23606
    Location Phone: 757.668.6262
    Appointments: 757.668.9327

    Norfolk
    601 Children's Lane
    Norfolk, Virginia 23507
    Location Phone: 757.668.9327
    Appointments: 757.668.9327

    Virginia Beach
    Health and Surgery Center at Princess Anne
    2021 Concert Drive
    Virginia Beach, Virginia 23456
    Location Phone: 757.668.2945
    Appointments: 757.668.9327

    Specialties

    Primary specialty: Pediatric Ear, Nose and Throat

    Secondary specialty: Sleep Medicine

    Practice Locations

    601 Childrens Lane
    Norfolk
    757.668.9327

    Faculty Appointments

    Professor

    Office Hours

    Monday 8:00AM - 5:00PM
    Tuesday 8:00AM - 5:00PM 
    Wednesday  8:00AM - 5:00PM 
    Thursday 8:00AM - 5:00PM 
    Friday 8:00AM - 5:00PM 

    Medical Education

    Albany Medical College
    Albany, New York

    Residency

    Virginia Commonwealth University
    Richmond, Virginia

    Fellowship

    Children's National Medical Center (Pediatric Otolaryngology)
    Washington, DC

    Board Certifications

    American Board of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
    American Board of Sleep Medicine

    Research Interests

    1.  Molin N, Sina EM, Creighton E, Kaki PC, Boon M, Huntley C, Baldassari CM. Sleep Education in Otolaryngology Residency Programs: Trends Over the Past Decade. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2025 Aug 28. doi: 10.1002/ohn.70008. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40874393.
    2. Cabrera AJ, Li D, Redline S, Chervin RD, Ishman SL, Baldassari CM, Mitchell RB, Amin R, Hassan F, Ibrahim S, Ross KR, Kirkham EM, Zopf DA, Cielo CM, Young LR, Furth SL, Garetz S, Rosen CL, Wang R, Tapia IE. Adenotonsillectomy and Blood Pressure in Children with Mild Obstructive Sleep-Disordered Breathing: An Exploratory Analysis of the PATS Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2025 Aug 28:e252555. doi: 10.1001/jamaoto.2025.2555. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40875240; PMCID: PMC12395361.
    3. Whelan RL, Baldassari CM. “Non-obstructive sleep apnea pediatric sleep disorders: what the otolaryngologist should know." Curr Opin Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2025 Jul 3. doi: 10.1097/MOO.0000000000001066. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40601414.
    4. Bakker JP,  Zhang F, Amin R,  Baldassari CM,  Chervin RD, Garetz SL, Hassan F, Ibrahim S, Ishman SL, Kirkham EM, Linden A, Mitchell RB, Naqvi K, Rosen CL, Ross K, Tapia IE, Young LR, Yu PK, Redline S, Wang R. “Adenotonsillectomy and Health Care Utilization in Children with Snoring and Mild Sleep Apnea: A Randomized Clinical Trial”. JAMA Pediatrics 2025. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapediatrics.2025.0023.
    5. Tsou PY, Gueye-Ndiaye S, Gorman KL, Williamson A, Ibrahim S, Weber S, Zopf D, Hassan F, Baldassari C, Sendon C, Wang R, Redline S, Li D, Ross KR. “Asthma and sleep disordered breathing in the pediatric adenotonsillectomy trial for snoring study.” Sleep Breath. 2024 Dec 4;29(1):46. doi: 10.1007/s11325-024-03210-1. PMID: 39633037.
    6. Yu PK, Cook K, Tapia IE… Baldassari CM. “Symptoms, Quality of Life, and Executive Function in Children Who Snore”. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2024 Dec 19. doi: 10.1001/jamaoto.2024.4373. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39699925.
    7. Frederick RM, Baldassari CM. “Titration Protocol for Upper Airway Stimulation in Pediatric Patients With Down Syndrome”. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2024 Oct 31: e243701. doi:10.1001/jamaoto.2024.3701. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39480464; PMCID: PMC11581599.
    8. Bluher AE, Kearney T, Vazifedan T, Baldassari CM. “Vitamin D Deficiency and Pediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnea Severity”. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2024 Oct 31: e243737. doi:10.1001/jamaoto.2024.3737. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39480411; PMCID: PMC11581719. Article Highlighted in National Press (MEDSCAPE)
    9. Larrow, DR MD, Marcus, KS MD, Gipson, K. MD, Skotko, BG MD, Baldassari CM MD, Smith, DF MD, Heubi, CH MD, Tobey, A MD, Nikhila, R. MD, Vangel, M, PhD, Hartnick, CJ MD. “Upper Airway Stimulation for Children Adolescents with Down Syndrome: Long-Term Follow-Up”. The Laryngoscope. 2024 Oct 9. Doi: 10.1002/lary.31828. Epub ahead of print.
    10. Ibrahim S, Ievers-Landis CE, Taylor HG, Tapia IE, Williamson AA, Cole MC, Gurbani N, Chervin RD, Hassan F, Mitchell RB, Naqvi K, Baldassari C, Edlund W, Wang R, Wei Z, Li D, Redline S, Rosen CL. “Bedsharing Sleep Characteristics in Children With Mild Sleep-Disordered Breathing. J Clin Sleep Med. 2024 Sep 20. doi: 10.5664/jcsm.11352. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39302128.

       

      Presentations and Scholarships

      Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters

      Clinical Practice Locations

      Chesapeake
      Health Center at Oakbrooke
      500 Discovery Drive
      Chesapeake, Virginia 23320
      Location Phone: 757.668.2342
      Appointments: 757.668.9327

      Newport News
      Health and Surgery Center at Oyster Point
      11783 Rock Landing Drive
      Newport News, Virginia 23606
      Location Phone: 757.668.6262
      Appointments: 757.668.9327

      Norfolk
      601 Children's Lane
      Norfolk, Virginia 23507
      Location Phone: 757.668.9327
      Appointments: 757.668.9327

      Virginia Beach
      Health and Surgery Center at Princess Anne
      2021 Concert Drive
      Virginia Beach, Virginia 23456
      Location Phone: 757.668.2945
      Appointments: 757.668.9327

      Specialties

      Primary specialty: Pediatric Ear, Nose and Throat

      Secondary specialty: Sleep Medicine

      Practice Locations

      601 Childrens Lane
      Norfolk
      757.668.9327