Dr. Johnathan Edward Castano, MD

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Get to know Pediatric Otolaryngologist Dr. Johnathan Edward Castaño, who serves patients in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Dr. Castaño is currently the only academic fellowship-trained pediatric otolaryngologist serving the state of West Virginia. While he enjoys treating general ear, nose, and throat problems in children of all ages, he has particular interest and expertise in complex otologic surgery (including pediatric and adult cochlear implantation, tympanomastoid surgery for chronic otitis media and cholesteatoma, repair of eardrum perforations, minimally invasive endoscopic middle ear surgery, and the evaluation and management of hearing loss in children), along with pediatric endoscopic airway surgery and pediatric endoscopic sinus surgery.

Dr. Castaño sees patients from birth to age 18 for general pediatric otolaryngology, ear, sinus, and airway problems. He performs cochlear implantation in infants, children, and adult patients of all ages. 

In his official capacity, Dr. Castaño holds many roles within the Department of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery at the West Virginia University School of Medicine. These include: Assistant Professor, Associate Residency Program Director, and Otolaryngology Medical Student Clerkship Director. In addition, he is the co-Director of the Cochlear Implant Program at WVU Medicine.

“My goal is to deliver high quality ENT care to all children and their families as if they were my own, with compassion and kindness. It is an absolute privilege for me to be entrusted with the care of a parent’s most precious treasure – their child. Every child is different, and I strive to use my clinical expertise to partner with parents and families, along with pediatricians and other pediatric specialists, in order to formulate an effective and minimally invasive treatment plan for your child” expressed the doctor. 

A South Florida native, Dr. Castaño attended the University of Miami for his undergraduate studies where he graduated with Cum Laude honors and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. He remained in Miami for medical school, earning his medical degree from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine in 2012, where he was inducted into the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society and participated in a yearly medical mission trip to the Dominican Republic. He completed his residency training in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery at West Virginia University in Morgantown in 2017, and subsequently completed a one-year clinical fellowship in pediatric otolaryngology at the UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh in 2018. While in fellowship, he further refined his skills in complex otologic surgery, cochlear implantation, pediatric airway surgery, and pediatric endoscopic sinus surgery.

Dr. Castaño is board-certified through the American Board of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery. The non-profit organization serves the public by assuring that diplomates meet the standards of training, knowledge, and professionalism through initial and continuing certification.

In affiliation with multiple professional organizations, Dr. Castaño is an active member of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

The author of multiple journal articles, he has presented at national meetings. His research interests lie in the study of hearing loss in children, cochlear implantation, medical education, and surgical simulation.

Dr. Castaño’s areas of clinical interest include cochlear implantation in children and adults, management of hearing loss in children; bone conduction implants and ossicular chain reconstruction in children; minimally invasive endoscopic middle ear surgery in children; medical and surgical management of Eustachian tube dysfunction as well as acute and chronic otitis media in children; repair of tympanic membrane perforations in children; tympanomastoid surgery for cholesteatoma in children; management of complex sinonasal disease in children, including advanced techniques in endoscopic sinus surgery (such as endoscopic modified medial maxillectomy) for children with cystic fibrosis, as well as revision functional endoscopic sinus surgery; endoscopic and open airway surgery for management of laryngomalacia, laryngotracheal stenosis, laryngeal clefts and other congenital airway anomalies; surgery for repair of congenital nasal anomalies such as choanal atresia; surgical management of obstructive sleep apnea in children; and management of pediatric congenital head and neck anomalies such as neck cysts and masses.

Otolaryngology is the oldest medical specialty in the United States. Pediatric otolaryngologists treat children from the newborn period through the teenage years. They choose to make pediatric care the core of their medical practice, and the unique nature of medical and surgical care of children is learned from advanced training and experience in practice. 

Fluent in both English and Spanish, Dr. Castaño attributes his success to his family and loved ones for always believing in him and inspiring him to aim high.

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