Alanna Coughran, M.D. (she/her)

  • Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology, School of Medicine

Biography

Dr. Alanna Coughran is a pediatric otolaryngologist with an interest in caring for children with a wide range of ear, nose, and throat conditions. Her clinical expertise includes pediatric airway disorders, swallow dysfunction, and other complex otolaryngologic conditions. Before joining OHSU, Dr. Coughran completed her Complex Pediatric Otolaryngology Fellowship at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and her residency in Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at Stanford University. She is committed to providing evidence-based and multidisciplinary care for all her patients and believes in partnering closely with families and patients to provide individualized care for each child. 

Education and training

  • Degrees

    • M.D., 2019, Standford University School of Medicine
  • Internship

    • Stanford University Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, 2019-2020
  • Residency

    • Stanford University Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, 2020-2024
  • Fellowship

    • Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Pediatric Otolaryngology, 2024-2026

Areas of interest

  • All aspects of pediatric otolaryngology, pediatric airway reconstruction

Honors and awards

  • 2024 Stanford Otolaryngology Resident of the Year
  • 2022 Peter Koltai Award for Excellence in Pediatric Otolaryngology

Publications

Selected publications

  • Coughran A, Tabangin M, de Alarcon S. Voice outcomes in a large cohort of airway reconstruction patients. Conference podium presentation at American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology; 1 May 2025. 
  • Abdul-Hadi Martinez S, Coughran A (co-first authors). Otolaryngology, In: Shah SS, Frank G, Ronan J, Catallozzi M (eds). Sanford Guide to Pediatric Acute Care [Mobile app]. Antimicrobial Therapy, Inc., 2025 - present. Available from: https://www.sanfordguide.com/ and https://apps.apple.com/us/app/sanford-guide-pediatric/id6740501116 
  • Coughran A, Ward K, Fitzgerald M, Chang K, Cheng A, Ahmad I. Recent trends in imaging and cochlear nerve status for single sided deafness: a pediatric cohort review. Poster presentation at American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology; May 2023. 
  • Coughran A, Damoush H, Mahaney K, Truong MT. Excision of nasal dermoids with intracranial extension in pediatric patients: two patients with skip areas. Poster presentation at American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology; May 2023.
  • Berry J, Davies C, Kothari Dhruv, Nieri Chad, Coughran A, Cheng A, Roy S, Sheyn A. National Pediatric Otolaryngology COVID Testing Protocols. Poster presentation at American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology; May 2023.
  • Ward KM, Coughran A, Lee M, Fitzgerald M, Cheng A, Chang K, Ahmad I. Prevalence of cochlear nerve deficiency and hearing device use in children with single-sided deafness. Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery. 2023 Aug;169(2):390-396
  • Coughran A, Kaufman A, Santa Maria P. “Complications of Otitis Media.” Otolaryngology Weekly Curriculum. DeckerMed. 2022. 
  • Coughran A, Ward KM, Lee M, Fitzgerald M, Cheng A, Chang K, Ahmad I. Prevalence of cochlear nerve deficiency and trends in device use for single-sided deafness. Poster presentation at American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology; 27 April 2022. 
  • Coughran A, Merrell SB, Pineda C, Sceats LA, Yang GP, Morris AM. Local and visiting physician perspectives on short term surgical missions in Guatemala: a qualitative study. Ann Surg. 273(3):606-612. Mar 2021. 
  • Coughran A, Balakrishnan K, Ma Y, Vaezeafshar R, Capdarest-Arest N, Hamdi O, Sidell DR. The relationship between croup and gastroesophageal reflux: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Laryngoscope. 131(1);209-217. Jan 2021. 
  • Sceats LA, Ku S, Coughran A, Barnes B, Grimm E, Muffly M, Spain DA, Kin C, Owens DK, Goldhaber-Fiebert JD. Operative versus nonoperative management of appendicitis: a long-term cost effectiveness analysis. MDM Policy Pract. 4(2). Aug 2019. 
  • Chang M, Coughran A, Lee YJ, Collins J, Sirjani D. Retrograde parotidectomy under local anesthesia for benign, malignant, and inflammatory lesions. Am J Otolaryngol. 40(2):152-155. Mar-April 2019. 
  • Roblegg E, Coughran A, Sirjani D. Saliva: an all-rounder of our body. Eur J Biopharm. 142:133-141. Sept 2019.
  • Coughran A, Balakrishnan K, Vaezeafshar R, Capdarest-Arest N, Sidell DR. Exploring the relationship between croup and GERD: a systematic review of the literature. Conference oral presentation at AAO-HNSF, 9 Oct 2018. Atlanta, GA.

Publications