Richard J. Schmidt, MD

Otolaryngology

Primary Office

Nemours Children's Hospital, Delaware Nemours Children's Hospital, Delaware 1600 Rockland Road Wilmington, DE 19803 Appointment: (800) 416-4441

Other Offices

Get to Know Me

Dr. Richard Schmidt went to medical school at the University of Maryland in Baltimore. He attended Thomas Jefferson University for his internship and residency in otolaryngology before being called to a pediatric fellowship here at Nemours Children's Hospital, Delaware. Having a family of his own, Dr. Schmidt empathizes with parents of children with health problems, so his care for a patient also includes caring for the family.

Why I Treat Children

After treating adults for seven years in a general otolaryngology practice, I began a fellowship in pediatrics. During this time, I found my calling and a stronger connection to my work by treating children.

What I'm Passionate About

I'm passionate about providing the highest quality care to patients. I understand the unique challenges of treating children and believe that specialized care requires a specialized facility designed to handle those unique challenges. This is what led me to Nemours Children’s Hospital. 

How I Try to Make A Difference

I take my time with my patients and their families. I make a difference by personally being “in the moment” with a family and treating them like my own. I strive to emulate the values of my role model, my own childhood pediatrician.

Education & Training

Fellowship

  • Pediatric Otolaryngology - Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, 2005

Internship

  • Surgery - Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, 1993

Residency

  • Otolaryngology - Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, 1997

Medical/Dental School

  • MD - University of Maryland at Baltimore, 1992

Board Certifications

  • American Board of Otolaryngology

Awards & Recognition

  • 2018–2024 Philadelphia Magazine Top Doctor
  • 2013–2024 Castle Connolly Top Doctor
  • 2015 SJ Magazine's Top Docs for Kids
  • 2014 Best Doctors in America
  • 2013 Best Doctors in America
  • 2011 Best Doctors in America

Insurance Accepted

  • Aetna Better Health PA Kids HMO
  • Aetna HMO
  • Aetna PPO/EPO/POS
  • Aetna PPO/POS/EPO
  • Amerihealth Caritas DE - PENNSYLVANIA SPECIALISTS ONLY
  • Amerihealth Caritas Delaware
  • Amerihealth Caritas Delaware NJ
  • Carefirst MD Community Health Plan Mcaid
  • Cigna & Great West HMO/POS/EPO
  • Cigna & Great West PPO
  • Cigna/Great West HMO EPO POS
  • Cigna/Great West PPO
  • Delaware First Health
  • Delaware Medicaid/Diamond State
  • Delaware Medicare
  • Devon Health Services
  • Fidelis Care NJ Medicaid HMO
  • First Health/Affordable PPO
  • Geisinger Health Plan Commercial
  • Global Medical Managment DE/PA
  • Global Medical Mangment NJ
  • Health Partners Medicaid/Kidz Partner HMO
  • Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Delaware
  • Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Delaware *PA Loc Contiguous to DE*
  • Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Delaware *PA Loc NONContiguous to DE*
  • Highmark Medicaid Health Options
  • Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey
  • Independance Blue Cross/Amerihealth/Keystone Health Plan
  • Insurance Administrators of America
  • INTEGRA Administrative Group (ClaimsBridge)
  • Keystone First Medicaid HMO
  • Lifetrac Transplant
  • Maryland Medicaid
  • Multiplan PPO
  • National Transplant (Humana)
  • New Jersey Medicaid
  • Olympus Managed Healthcare PPO NJ
  • Pennsylvania Medicaid
  • Plan Vista/NPPN PPO
  • Preferred Healthcare PPO
  • Private Healthcare Systems (PHCS)
  • Qualcare HMO/POS/PPO
  • Star Healthcare Network
  • Star Healthcare Network
  • Three Rivers Provider Network
  • Tricare/Humana Military Health Services/CHAMPVA
  • United Healthcare of the Mid-Atlantic
  • UPMC MCAID/CHIP PA DE
  • UPMC Medicaid
  • US Family Health Plan
  • Wellpoint Maryland Medcaid

  • Congenital Neck Masses
  • Hearing Loss
  • Otitis Media

Medical Interests

  • Pediatric Airway Disorders & reconstruction
  • Congenital Head and Neck Masses
  • Pediatric transoral robotic surgery for refractory sleep apnea
  • Apnea
  • Head and neck surgery
  • Minimally invasive surgery
  • Thyroid surgery

  • Predictive Pediatric Characteristics for Revision Tonsillectomy After Intracapsular Tonsillectomy; Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (United States); (2022).

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  • Pediatric Maxillary Giant Cell Tumors: Surgical Management by Transoral and Endoscopic Transnasal Enucleation and Curettage; Journal of Craniofacial Surgery; (2022).

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  • Surgical Management of Tracheostomies and Tracheal Diversion in Children with Cerebral Palsy; Cerebral Palsy: Second Edition; (2020).

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  • Evaluating pediatric intensive care unit utilization after tonsillectomy; International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology; (2020).

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  • Response to Letter to the Editor regarding "Postoperative nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and risk of bleeding in pediatric intracapsular tonsillectomy"; International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology; (2015).

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  • Management of first branchial cleft anomalies via a cartilage-splitting technique; Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (United States); (2015).

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  • Postoperative nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and risk of bleeding in pediatric intracapsular tonsillectomy; International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology; (2015).

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  • Laryngopharyngeal dysfunction independent of vocal fold palsy in infants after aortic arch interventions; Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery; (2014).

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  • Gastrointestinal complications after stage i Norwood versus hybrid procedures; Annals of Thoracic Surgery; (2013).

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  • Evaluating tonsillectomy as a risk factor for childhood obesity; Archives of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery; (2012).

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  • Laryngotracheal reconstruction in infants and children: Are single-stage anterior and posterior grafts a reliable intervention at all pediatric hospitals?; International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology; (2011).

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  • Pediatric tracheostomy in conjoined twins: Multidisciplinary approach; International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology; (2009).

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  • Case studies in corporate compliance: Putting the rubber to the road; Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery; (2009).

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  • Parapharyngeal and retropharyngeal infections in children: Argument for a trial of medical therapy and intraoral drainage for medical treatment failures; International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology; (2009).

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  • The role of extraesophageal reflux in otitis media in infants and children.; The Laryngoscope; (2008).

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  • Ethmoid mucocele presenting as an orbital mass; Pediatric Emergency Care; (2008).

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  • Conservative therapy of esophageal perforation with neck abscess in a child; Laryngoscope; (2007).

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  • Powered intracapsular tonsillectomy in the management of recurrent tonsillitis; Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery; (2007).

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  • Detection of gastric pepsin in middle ear fluid of children with otitis media; Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery; (2007).

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  • Complications of tonsillectomy: A comparison of techniques; Archives of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery; (2007).

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  • Sensorineural hearing loss and pyruvate dehydrogenase deficiency syndrome: Implications for cochlear implantation; International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology Extra; (2006).

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  • English