Dr Burns is a paediatric otolaryngologist at Queensland Children’s Hospital and a partner of Northside ENT Brisbane. Hannah undertook advanced specialty training in otolaryngology in Queensland, gained her fellowship in 2008 and spent 18 months at Evelina Children’s Hospital, London sub-specialising in paediatric ENT.
She holds a senior lecturer position with the University of Queensland and is Queensland state supervisor of training in otolaryngology and head surgery. Hannah developed, and annually runs the only paediatric airway course in Australia. Collaborating with other departments and specialist groups she has presented papers, locally, nationally and internationally exploring all facets of paediatric otolaryngology. Dr Burns is a co-investigator in an NHMRC and Garnet Passe and Rodney Williams funded study exploring neurocognitive benefits of adenotonsillctomy in preschool children. She is also a chief investigator in the HAMSTER study looking at the role of high-flow oxygen for paediatric airway surgery. In conjunction with Queensland Injury Surveillance Unit, Kids Safe, Australian Paediatric Surveillance Unit, Retrieval Queensland and a number of dedicated practitioners she is a strong advocate for improved button battery safety.
Dr Burns is an active member of the Australian Society of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery and in 2021 was awarded the Society medal for Distinguished Contribution to the Art and Science of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery. She has been on the academic committee for three ASOHNS scientific meetings. Through these avenues she has supported the role of women in otolaryngology and promoted diversity throughout the specialty. As a member of Australian and New Zealand Society of Paediatric Otolaryngology she developed a monthly teaching program for Australasian Paediatric ENT fellows and is a scientific convenor for the upcoming South Pacific ORL forum in Fiji 2023. Dr Burns is a reviewer for a number of journals including Australian Journal of Otolaryngology.
