Lancaster Ear, Nose and Throat

Dr. Karen Rizzo is a graduate of Temple University School of Medicine, and completed her Residency in Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. In addition, she is a magna cum laude graduate of Villanova University where she played basketball as the first female scholarship athlete. She was inducted into the Villanova University Basketball Hall of Fame and Philadelphia Big Five Basketball Hall of Fame in 1990 and the Northeast Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame in 2006.

Since becoming a physician, Dr. Rizzo has been active in several medical organizations and has made humanitarian trips to Vietnam, South Africa, and Egypt. She is a current member of the Speech, Language and Hearing Board of Directors and a Past President of the state chapter of the American Academy of Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery (2001-2003). She holds memberships in the Keystone Chapter of the American College of Surgeons, the American Medical Association, Pennsylvania Medical Society (PAMED) and was President of Lancaster City & County Medical Society from 2008 to 2010.

In 2012, Dr. Rizzo was elected by her peers in the Pennsylvania Medical Society to serve as Vice President of the organization. She is currently President of the Society since October of 2014 and will serve through October 2015. A 27-year member of PAMED, she served on its board of trustees from 2003 to 2011 as a Surgical Specialty Trustee. She was Vice Chair of the board from 2009 to 2011. Currently, Dr. Rizzo is a member of PAMED’s Political Advocacy Counsel, Task Force of State of Medicine, and Task Force to Improve Governance Processes and Structures. She also has aided several other counsels in the past and served as the Chair of the Specialty Leadership Cabinet from 2009 to 2011.

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Kristen E. Taormina, MSPAS, PA-C, is the newest member of the team at Lancaster ENT. She is a graduate of the DeSales University (formerly Allentown College), where she received both her Bachelor of Science and Masters of Science in Physician Assistant Studies degrees. She is a member of the Pennsylvania Society of Physician Assistants (PSPA) as well as the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA). She has done volunteer work with the DeSales Free Clinic at the Allentown Rescue Mission, providing healthcare for the homeless population in the area.

Kristen was born and raised in Lancaster County and graduated from Manheim Township High School. She currently resides in Reinholds with her fiancé.

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Marjorie R. Kessler, Au.D., FAAA, CCC-A has been helping people hear better for 15 years. She earned a Master of Science Degree in Audiology from Bloomsburg University and a Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) degree from the School of Audiology of Pennsylvania College of Optometry and Science (now called Salus University). Prior to becoming a clinical audiologist, Dr. Kessler had an eight-year human services career, utilizing her training from Messiah College where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. She enjoys providing thorough diagnostic testing and working with advanced technologies to improve patient outcomes. Her interests and expertise include customizing and optimizing hearing aid fittings to improve hearing for patients with tinnitus, single-sided deafness and conductive hearing loss. She especially enjoys helping musicians, service veterans and others with a history of noise exposure to improve and protect their hearing. Formerly a pediatric audiologist, Dr. Kessler, Au.D. enjoys working with patients of all ages and especially enjoys working with children.