Our Doctors
As co-founders and managing partners of Florida Gulf Coast Ear, Nose and Throat, LLC, Dr. Hill and Dr. Reidy are committed to excellence! Their goal is to provide patients with high quality service utilizing the most advanced therapeutic and surgical treatments. Drs. Reidy and Hill achieve this goal by developing a close personal relationship with their patients, and through continued training in the most up-to-date technologies available in their field.
Samuel L. Hill, III, MD, FACS, FAAOA
Board Certification and Medical Licensure
- American Board of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery
- State of Florida
Education
- University of Michigan – Bachelor of Science – Magna Cum Laude
Postgraduate Training
- Wayne State University – Detroit Medical Center – Doctor of Medicine
- Wayne State University – Detroit Medical Center – Internship – General Surgery
- Wayne State University – Detroit Medical Center – Residency – Otololaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery
- Ear Research Foundation at The Silverstein Institute – Fellowship – Neuro-otology/Advanced Otologic and Skull Base Surgery
Professional Memberships
- American Academy of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery
- American College of Surgeons
- American Academy of Otolayngic Allergy
- Florida Medical Association
- Collier County Medical Society
- Lee County Medical Society
- Wayne State University Medical Alumni Society
- University of Michigan Alumni Society
Patrick M. Reidy, MD
Board Certification and Medical Licensure
- American Board of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery
- State of Florida
Education
- University of Michigan – Bachelor of Science GO BLUE!!
Postgraduate Training
- Wayne State University – Detroit Medical Center – Doctor of Medicine
- Wayne State University – Detroit Medical Center – Internship – General Surgery
- Wayne State University – Detroit Medical Center – Residency – Otololaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery
- University of Chicago Medical Center – Fellowship – Rhinology / Allergy / Advanced Sinus Surgery
Professional Memberships
- Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society
- American Academy of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery
- American Rhinological Society
- Florida Medical Association
- Collier County Medical Society
- Lee County Medical Society
- University of Michigan Alumni Society
- Wayne State University Medical Alumni Society
Leela Lavasani, MD, FACS
Dr. Lavasani offers a comprehensive program of specialized ear, nose and throat care that reflects our commitment to delivering individualized and optimal treatment to patients of all ages. She has the experience and skill to provide comprehensive diagnosis and management of diseases that affect the ears, nose and paranasal sinuses, voice, throat, thyroid and neck.
Board Certification and Medical Licensure
- American Board of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery
- State of Florida
Education
- Macalester College– Bachelor of Arts– Biology
Postgraduate Training
- Chicago Medical School- Masters of Science- Applied Physiology
- George Washington University School of Medicine– Doctor of Medicine
- Thomas Jefferson University– Residency – Otolaryngology
Professional Memberships
- American Academy of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery
- American College of Surgeons
- American Medical Women’s Association
- Alpha Omega Alpha of Otolaryngology
- Collier County Medical Society
Benjamin Lehmkuhl, DO
Florida Gulf Coast ENT is happy to welcome our newest physician to the team, Dr. Ben Lehmkuhl. A native from Iowa, Dr. Lehmkuhl graduated medical school from Des Moines University, and then completed his otolaryngology, head and neck surgery residency at the University of Kentucky. During his training, Dr. Lehmkuhl became fond of taking care of the entire family’s ear, nose, and throat complaints and dedicated himself to learning to provide care for patients of all age ranges from newborns to geriatrics. He enjoys taking care of patients with hearing loss, balance disorders, ear infections, sore throats, sinus disease, nasal obstruction, allergies, neck masses, thyroid nodules, voice complaints, sleep disturbances and swallowing difficulties, as well as pediatrics.
Board Certification and Medical Licensure
- American Board of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery Eligible
- State of Florida
Education
- Clarke University, Debuque, IA – Bachelor of Science in Biology
Post Graduate Training
- Des Moines University, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Des Moines, IA -Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine
- Western Reserve Hospital, Cuyahoga Falls, OH – Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery Residency
- University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY – Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery Residency
Professional Memberships:
- American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery
- Kentucky Society of Otolaryngology
- American Osteopathic Association Member
- Lee County Medical Society Member
Christie McGee, MD
A native of South Florida, Dr. McGee completed Otolaryngology residency training in Miami, FL, and is excited to utilize her comprehensive skills and training to treat the community of Collier County. Dr. McGee offers comprehensive surgical and medical Otolaryngologic care to patients of all ages for the following conditions:
- Diseases of the Paranasal Sinuses and Nasal Cavity including allergic rhinitis, chronic rhinosinusitis, sinonasal polyp disease, complex sinus infections, deviated septum, nasal obstruction, nosebleeds, and smell loss
- Acute and chronic hearing loss, ear infections, perforated eardrum, eustachian tube dysfunction, vertigo
- Pediatric sleep-disordered breathing, tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy, ear tubes, congenital lesions, speech and swallow disorders
- Diseases of the airway and larynx including voice and swallow changes, vocal cord paralysis, benign lesions, and malignancies, as well as tracheostomy and cervical airway scar tissue management
- Benign and malignant lesions of the upper aerodigestive tract, thyroid gland, neck, salivary glands, and skin of the head and neck
- Facial paralysis
- Age-related changes of the face including management of wrinkles with Botox
- Adult surgical management of obstructive sleep apnea and snoring
Board Certification and Medical Licensure
- American Board of Otolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery Eligible
- State of Florida
Education
- University of Florida- Bachelor of Science in Biology- Magna Cum Laude
Postgraduate Training
- Tufts University School of Medicine- Masters of Science in Biomedical Sciences
- University of Miami Miller School of Medicine- Doctor of Medicine
- University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital- Residency- Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery
Professional Memberships
- American Academy of Otolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery
- American Rhinologic Society
- Florida Society of Otolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery
- Gold Humanism Honor Society
- Collier County Medical Society
Nicole Gergenti, FNP-BC
Nicole Gergenti is a board certified Family Nurse Practitioner. She was born in New York but raised in Southwest Florida. She has always had a passion for serving others, which is what drove her ambition to pursue a career in the medical field. After obtaining her first bachelor’s degree in human performance from Florida Gulf Coast University, she quickly knew the career path she wanted to pursue. She then acquired her second bachelor’s degree in nursing from Nova Southeastern University. She began her nursing career as a registered nurse for Lee Health on their surgical oncology unit. During her time working at the hospital, she continued her education at Nova Southeastern University and obtained her masters in nursing as a Family Nurse Practitioner. She strives to always listen to and provide her patients with the utmost best care possible.
Education
- Florida Gulf Coast University- Bachelor of Science in Human Performance
- Nova Southeastern University- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Nova Southeastern University- Masters in Nursing
Suelay Plasencia, DNP, APRN, NP-C
Suelay Plasencia is a board-certified doctorate prepared Family Nurse Practitioner. She is born and raised in Florida and has extensive nursing experience in critical care and oncology. She started her career as a nurse at Moffitt Cancer Center and continued her oncology career at Lee Memorial Hospital. She has transitioned her education into a nurse practitioner with training at Moffitt Cancer Center and several outpatient family practices. Sue is passionate about providing affordable and convenient care for all patients. She has the dedication and skill to provide detailed care for diseases affecting the ear, nose, paranasal sinuses, throat, thyroid, and neck.
Board Certification and Medical Licensure
- American Academy of Nurse Practitioners- Family Nurse Practitioner
- State of Florida
Education
- South University Tampa- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Palm Beach Atlantic University- Doctorate in Nursing Practice
Professional Memberships
- Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society
- American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
- Oncology Nursing Society
- Nurse Practitioner Council of Collier County
- Nurse Practitioner Council of Lee County
Christopher Hatwell, PA-C, MMS
Born and raised in New Jersey, Christopher has called Southwest Florida home for 25 years. He completed his physician assistant training at Nova Southeastern while serving as class president and graduating with honors. He has practiced locally since graduation with experience in family practice as well as neurology. He has a passion for treating illness, patient education and expanding his medical knowledge to help better treat his patients. When not in the office he can be found with his wife and two sons playing sports and enjoying the beaches and waterways of Naples.
Audiology Team
SHANAI HILL, AU.D., CCC-A
Dr. Shanai Hill has been with Florida Gulf Coast ENT and Hearing Center since its inception in 2005. She helped to create the Audiology Department alongside her husband, Dr. Samuel Hill and his partner, Dr. Patrick Reidy. She currently provides hearing and hearing aid services including hearing aid evaluation, demonstrations, repairs, and sales at our Estero location. Dr. Hill believes that the hearing rehabilitation process should be much more than a retail transaction. She is dedicated to working closely with her patients as they embark on their journey to better hearing. She provides continuous education, counseling, validation and technological support for her patients and their families in order to improve their communication abilities and their overall quality of life.
Prior to her time with FCGHC, she practiced Pediatric Audiology at All Children’s Specialty Care Center/Johns Hopkins in Ft. Myers and the Children’s Hospital of Michigan. During that time, she diagnosed and treated pediatric hearing loss including participating in the Craniofacial/Cleft Palate Team and the Cochlear Implant Team. She also spent 2 years in the Michigan Public Schools System as an Educational Audiologist providing hearing therapy and hearing aid/ FM unit support for hearing impaired students.
Dr. Hill has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Disorders from Michigan State University, a Master of Science degree in Audiology from Wayne State University, and a Doctor of Audiology degree from the University of Florida. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, cooking, having fun with her husband and teenage boys, and serving at her church.
Elvera Bader Au.D
Dr. Elvera Bader joined Florida Gulf Coast ENT in 2023 after moving to Florida with her husband and two daughters. Originally from New York, Dr. Bader earned her bachelor’s degree in communication sciences and disorders from CUNY Brooklyn College and her doctorate in Audiology from the CUNY Graduate Center in NYC.
Before joining Florida Gulf Coast ENT, Dr. Bader worked independently at a small boutique practice in NYC, specializing in the hearing healthcare needs of musicians and others in the music industry. She later joined a busy Otolaryngology practice affiliated with the Northwell Health System, where she spent five years. During this time, she was part of a comprehensive team of providers focusing on the diagnosis and treatment/management of hearing disorders from birth through adulthood.
Dr. Bader is dedicated to providing evidence-based care in a personalized, patient-centered approach, guiding her patients on their journey to improved hearing.