Meet Dr. Lisa Buckmiller

Dr. Lisa Buckmiller is a pediatric otolaryngologist at Cook Children's Hospital, specializing in general pediatric otolaryngology and subspecializes in the management/surgery of patients with cleft lip/palate and vascular birthmarks. Dr. Buckmiller completed her undergraduate training in Molecular Biology & Biochemistry at the University of California, Santa Cruz; and went on to do her medical training at the University of California, Irvine College of Medicine, and her residency in Otolaryngology at the University of California, Davis in Sacramento. She then accomplished her fellowship training in Pediatric Otolaryngology at Arkansas Children's Hospital, and continued on as faculty from 2002-2012. Dr. Buckmiller's main interest is in excellence in patient care and she directed two multidisciplinary teams, including the Cleft Lip & Palate Team as well as the Vascular Anomalies Team while on faculty at Arkansas Children's Hospital. In 2005, she was awarded the Benjamin & Milton Endowed Chair in Pediatric Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery for her work to better the lives of children with facial deformities.

Dr. Buckmiller then moved to San Antonio, Texas to lead the Pediatric Otolaryngology team at the Children's Hospital of San Antonio as Chief of the division from 2012 - 2021 and was also appointed an Associate Professor with the Baylor College of Medicine. She was instrumental in building a team of physicians that provided comprehensive care in pediatric ENT care in the area. She also directed the vascular anomalies multidisciplinary team and was an active cleft surgeon in San Antonio.

She is dedicated to serving overseas on medical missions several times a year and performs surgeries for both cleft lip/palate as well as hemangiomas and vascular malformations on these trips. She received the Gray Humanitarian Award from SENTAC (Society for ENT advances in children) for her efforts overseas.

She is board certified and is an active member of the American Academy of Otolaryngology, International Society for the Study of Vascular Anomalies, American Cleft Palate Association, and the American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology.

When not at work she enjoys camping, traveling, church activities and spending time with family. Her daughter, Anna, was adopted from China and was one of her patients before she was adopted. Anna was born with a facial vascular birthmark and she required numerous reconstructive procedures. She is now healthy, confident and is studying to be nurse with interests to continue traveling with her mom on mission trips.

Services

  • Cleft lip/palette repair
  • Laser/surgery for vascular anomalies
  • Osa surgery
  • Adenotonsillectomy
  • Ear tubes
  • Removal head and neck masses
  • Branchial cleft anomalies
  • Thyroglossal duct cysts
  • Biopsies

Reviews

Average rating:

4.9
Questions were addressed
4.9
4.9 (40)
Provider explained things clearly
5
5 (40)
Likelihood of recommending this provider
5
5 (40)
Trust/confidence in physicians
5
5 (40)

What our families say

  • November 27, 2025

    Dr. Buckmiller took my concerns seriously. I felt so relieved that my child's needs were being met when I left. I am grateful for the care she provided my baby:)

  • October 19, 2025

    Lisa Buckmiller is an incredibly genuine person and grateful our child can be under her care

  • October 02, 2025

    We were nervous going into the appointment, fearful of what the diagnosis of our daughter's breathing difficulties were. The staff were so kind and reassuring. They made us feel so welcomed and taken care of. Our doctor was absolutely amazing!

  • September 21, 2025

    Amazing experience all around!

  • August 19, 2025

    Dr. Buckmiller was very nice and patient with my child! She was very attentive during our visit and she spoke to my child as the patient, even at three and it showed amazing concern for her all through out the visit!

  • August 14, 2025

    Dr buckmiller and her medical assistant were amazing!

  • June 20, 2025

    Dr. Bruckmiller was very attentive to my child's needs and handled my concerns appropriately .

  • June 20, 2025

    I like that it's a teaching hospital and the Dr was very informative with both myself and the med student

  • May 22, 2025

    Everyone is great

  • March 25, 2025

    No complaints everything was great.

  • March 25, 2025

    Love the staff and the doctor. Very pleased

  • March 12, 2025

    The nursing staff in general were patient and kind.

  • March 12, 2025

    Dr. Buckmiller was great with daughter who certainly was not happy to participate in the exam.I appreciated the patience with which she dealt with her.

  • March 07, 2025

    All truly excellent

  • March 07, 2025

    Dr.Buckmiller and her nurse , she was very informative, made [...] feel comfortable, and gave her a lollipop. It was

  • March 07, 2025

    It was a good experience , I had my research done on the possible diagnosis, and it helped to confirm and clarify the information with her. I was appreciative that she scheduled an appointment for infectious disease doctor so quickly for us as well.

  • March 02, 2025

    The wait was really long but the staff was very apologetic.

  • March 02, 2025

    Dr. Buckmiller was so patient and thorough. We thoroughly enjoyed her bedside manner.

  • December 04, 2024

    The MA was really nice and Dr. Buckmiller was great with my son.

  • December 04, 2024

    This visit was great I like how quickly I was seen this time. Thank you for being mindful and efficient.

Education

  • Medical school:
  • University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA (1990-1994)
  • Residency:
  • University of California Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA (1996-2000)
  • Fellowship:
  • Arkansas Children's Hospital, Little Rock, AR (2000-2002)
  • Board certifications:
  • American Board of Pediatrics
  • Otolaryngology
  • Pediatric Otolaryngology

Affiliations

  • Cook Children's Physician Network, American Academy of Otolaryngology, International Society for the Study of Vascular Anomalies, American Cleft Palate Association, and the American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology.

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