Photo Left to right: James Zirul, DO; Teresa Thompson, DNP; and Frederick Freeman, MD make up the provider team at the new South Peninsula Ear, Nose & Throat practice serving the Kenai peninsula.
South Peninsula Hospital announces the grand opening of South Peninsula Ear, Nose & Throat Clinic, which offers comprehensive ear, nose, and throat care in two peninsula locations, Homer and Kenai.
The new South Peninsula Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) providers include James Zirul, DO, Frederick Freeman, MD and Teresa Thompson, DNP. These three providers are joining South Peninsula Hospital full-time to bring collaborative, local ENT care to the entire Kenai Peninsula. Dr. Freeman will be practicing primarily in the Homer clinic, Dr. Zirul in the Kenai clinic; and Teresa Thompson, DNP will see patients in both locations.
The team specializes in both adult and pediatric patient-centered care, treating a wide range of conditions, including ear infections, hearing loss, dizziness, sinus disease, nasal congestion, allergies, tonsil disorders, gastroesophageal reflux, swallowing disorders, thyroid care, and voice conditions. The team offers both surgical and nonsurgical treatment options, including ear surgery, tonsillectomy, endoscopic sinus surgery, and nasal septum repair.
Dr. Zirul has provided medical and surgical ENT care on the Kenai Peninsula since 1988, when he founded Peninsula Ear, Nose & Throat, Inc. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Kansas in 1978 and his medical degree from Kansas City University of Health Sciences in 1983. Dr. Zirul completed his specialty training in otolaryngology, head and neck surgery, and maxillofacial plastic surgery at Flint Osteopathic Hospital in Michigan. In 1989, he became one of the first ENTs in Alaska to perform endoscopic sinus surgery. Dr. Zirul is board-certified by the AOCOO and is a Fellow of the AAO-HNS.
Dr. Freeman is board-certified ENT by American Board of Otolaryngology in head and neck surgery and has over 30 years of medical experience. He earned his medical degree from the University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, completed his residency at Duke University Medical Center, and completed an internship at Mount Sinai Medical Center. He recently moved from Wyoming where he was an ENT specialist for nine years. Prior to that he practiced at Health First Holmes Regional Medical Center in Melbourne, Florida.
Teresa Thompson is a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner. She earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice from University of Wyoming. She and her family moved to the Kenai Peninsula after 24 years in Wyoming to continue working alongside Dr. Freeman. She has worked in healthcare since 2008 and has been a Doctor of Nursing Practice since 2016. She is a certified otorhinolaryngology nurse and surgical first assistant.
In addition to clinic care, the providers offer head and neck surgery at South Peninsula Hospital and Central Peninsula Hospital.
Dr. Freeman is already seeing patients in Homer at 4201 Bartlett Street. To schedule an appointment for Homer, call 907-235-0310. The Kenai clinic opens Monday, August 10 at 220 Spur Drive. Appointments for Kenai are being made in advance by calling 907-283-5400.
