Ghedak Ansari, MD

Dr. Ansari joined the faculty in 2024.

"I was born in Baghdad during the first Gulf War, and while this unfortunately separated me from my ancestral home, it gave me an opportunity to live all around the world. From Sweden, to Minnesota, Nebraska, New York, Baltimore, California, Boston, Washington DC and most importantly, Virginia!

I completed my undergraduate education at Harvard University, receiving a degree in Social Studies with citations in Spanish and Arabic. I attended the Howard University College of Medicine, where I learned and worked in a dynamic and historic community setting. In addition, I have two Master’s Degrees from Johns Hopkins University, the first is in Urban Education and the second is a Master of Public Health, with certifications in Health in Humanitarian Crisis, Epidemiology and Maternal Health. Before deciding to go to medical school, I served as a Spanish teacher in West Baltimore, through Teach for America.

I am grateful to become a physician in the shadow of two of the greatest physicians that I know; my father and grandfather. During my grandfather’s incredible life he has provided free healthcare in Baghdad Iraq, worked with Native Americans in Nebraska, and later in North Carolina. My father serves as a dedicated community physician in Central Virginia. I hope to follow in these admirable footsteps and enhance access to healthcare to everyone around the world as an otolaryngologist.

In my free time, I enjoy listening to Bachata and Arabic music, playing the piano, beating people in basketball, traveling to new countries, and exploring coffee shops around town. I speak Spanish and Arabic and am particularly passionate about poetry, literature and music in both of these languages. I look forward to meeting you soon!"

1. Saba E, Ansari G, Hoerter J, Schloegel L, Zim S. The Diagnosis of Nontuberculous Cervicofacial Lymphadenitis: A Systematic Review. The American Journal of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Medicine and Surgery. 2023.

2. Saba E, Swisher A, Ansari G, Rivero A. Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Patients with Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. 2023.

3. Block-Wheeler N, Ansari G, Darbinian J, Durr M. Associations of Comorbid Pain and Psychiatric Disease with Surgical Management of Obstructive Sleep Apnea. The Laryngoscope. 2022.

4. King K, Ansari G, Panackal A, Zalewski C, Anjum S, Bennet J, Beri A, Kim HJ, Hammoud D, Brewer C, Williamson P. Audiologic and Otologic Complications of Cryptococcal Meningoencephalitis in Non-HIV Previously Healthy Patients. Otology & Neurotology. 2019, July; 40(6): 657-664. PMID: 31157723.

5. Ansari G, Sahli Z, Canner J, Prescott J, Zeiger M, Mathur A. Thyroidectomy in Older Adults: an ACS-NSQIP Study of Outcomes. Journal of Surgical Research. 2018, 229: 20-27. PMID: 29936990.

6. Kalejaiye A, Ansari G, Ortega G, Davidson M, Kim HJ. Low Surgical Complication Rates in Cochlear Implantation for Young Children Less Than 1 Year of Age. The Laryngoscope. 2017, March; 127(3): 720-4. PMID: 27411677.