Staff

Photo of Esther Cheung-Phillips, MD from River ENT

Esther Cheung-Phillips,
MD

ENT

Dr. Esther Cheung-Phillips (also known as Dr. CP) was born in Cleveland, Ohio and completed her bachelor’s degree with a double major in Biology and Theatre Arts at Case Western Reserve University. Her family moved to Austin, where she worked briefly in the theatre scene before spending time in Southern California, Russia and Lithuania doing Christian missionary work. After returning to the US, she decided to pursue medicine and studied at UT Austin and earned her medical degree at UT Health Science Center in San Antonio. She found that her love of music and theatre was a great asset to the field of laryngology and became involved in research in voice disorders. She completed residency at Penn State Medical Center and UT Health Science Center at Houston, where she spent time in research on neonatal vocal fold paralysis as well as sinus disorders.

She is owner and president of River ENT, which was started in 2017. She is also the founder and past president of the Austin Society of Otolaryngology and continues to participate as an active life-time board member. She is also a member of the American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery, Travis County Medical Society, Texas Medical Association, Texas Association of Otolaryngology, and the American Medical Association. She is board certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology. In addition to general otolaryngology, she has special interest in voice disorders, pediatrics, and sinus disorders.

In her spare time, Dr. Cheung-Phillips enjoys singing, playing guitar and piano, composing music with her two talented daughters, creative writing, cooking, and running the beautiful trails in Austin with her dogs.

Photo of Yi-Hsuan 'Emmy' Wu, MD from River ENT

Yi-Hsuan 'Emmy' Wu,
MD

ENT- Otologist

Dr. Yi-Hsuan “Emmy” Wu was born in Taipei, Taiwan and moved to the United States when she was 5 years old. She grew up in Sugar Land, Texas and completed her bachelor’s degree majoring in Business Administration at the University of Texas at Austin. As a college student, she participated in a medical mission trip to Belize which inspired her to pursue a career in medicine. She continued her education at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in Galveston and completed her residency at Tufts Medical Center in Boston. She developed an interest in otology (study of diseases of the ear) and went on to complete a fellowship program at the Ear Research Foundation in Sarasota, Florida.

She is board certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology. In addition to general otolaryngology, she has special interest in the treatment of hearing loss with cochlear implants, chronic ear disease, Meniere's disease and other vestibular disorders. She is also a member of the American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery, Travis County Medical Society, Texas Medical Association, Texas Association of Otolaryngology, and Austin Society of Otolaryngology. She is also serves on the board for the Texas School for the Deaf.

In her spare time, Dr. Wu enjoys participating in medical mission work and has done medical mission trips to Mexico, Nicaragua, Rwanda, and Guatemala. She also enjoys spending time running, traveling, and being in the outdoors. She has completed 6 marathons, including the Boston Marathon, and has plans to do more. On weekends, you will find her on one of the many picturesque trails in central Texas.

Photo of Sarah Williams, AuD, CCC-A, FAAA from River ENT

Sarah Williams,
AuD, CCC-A, FAAA

Audiologist

Dr. Sarah Williams specializes in cochlear implants and personalized hearing aid fittings. She has experience working in private practice and for a cochlear implant manufacturer that provides programming services and support to audiologists and surgeons. Beforehand, she worked with a small practice management company working to build reputable and ethical audiology and hearing aid practices across the country. Dr. Williams enjoys finding the best solutions for each patient to help toward better hearing and overall better communication. She will help you “geek out” on hearing technology for those interested in learning more, in addition to help with simplifying technology for those who want to “make it easy.” 

Dr.Williams earned both a bachelor of science and doctorate in audiology from the University of Texas at Austin. She maintains a certification from the American Speech Language and Hearing Association (CCC-A) and is a fellow member of the Texas Academy of Audiology, the American Academy of Audiology (F-AAA), and the Academy of Doctors of Audiology. Memberships in those professional organizations are important to her because of their relentless efforts in advocating for her patients with hearing loss.

Dr. Williams is a Texas native and is thrilled to be in Austin where she remains close to friends and family. She spent time in Southern Louisiana, Houston and Denver before she made her way back to Austin. She enjoys spending time with her family, hiking, yoga, traveling, reading and playing with her Jack Russell terrier, Sampson. 

Photo of Loraine Stuart, MS, CCC-A/SLP from River ENT

Loraine Stuart,
MS, CCC-A/SLP

Audiologist

Dr. Loraine Stuart is a licensed audiologist who earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas in Austin and her Master’s degree from Southern Methodist University in Dallas. She is a member of the American Speech and Hearing Association for both Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology. Dr. Stuart holds a certificate of clinical competence from the American Speech Language Hearing Association in audiology and speech language pathology. 

 

Location

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Reviews

Healthy Hearing posts all positive and negative reviews that meet publishing criteria.

Read 9 verified patient reviews for River ENT! Their average review score is 4.78 () from 9 reviews.

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“The whole experience from my hearing test with Audiologist Sarah Williams to the implant of my stud for my bone anchored hearing aid by Dr Wu has been amazing. Also Dr Wu has cleared up an inner ear infection that I have had for over 30 years causing me constant drainage and irritation. Dr Wu thank you for your persistence in making this heal up. Also the service I have received from River ENT after the procedure has been awsome. The greatest thing has been being able to hear a world that before was muffled. It has been like coming out of a dark cave into the light with my hearing experience. Thank you!”

Jeffrey V. of Bastrop, TX   
02/08/2023    Review submitted online

“I called this morning to book an appointment for my 16 year old Daughter who called from school in pain with an ear infection. I used their online tool and got a call back within an hour. After about 10 mins of me providing information; name, address, insurance, husbands contact info, etc., the registrar finally asked me what I wanted to be seen for. I explained that my daughter needed to be seen today because she was in pain and was told nothing was available until tomorrow. Why did I provide all of that information before it was determined that you could offer me what I was looking for? I’m not upset that we can’t be seen until tomorrow, I’m upset because the method/ability to pay and all of our personal information is more important to you than the human, customer you are speaking to. It was a waste of my time to request to be contacted, then wait to be contacted to be told you can’t offer me what I need. Additionally, I didn’t have my insurance card handy when you called me back…I was walking my dog. The person that called me back said she couldn’t book anything for me until I provided my insurance information so she could verify it. I don’t need my insurance verified, I’m aware of my status and the costs would not detour me from making the appointment I needed to make. Asking me if I would like to know what my insurance will contribute towards would be a better, more customer friendly option. The entire exchange seemed more a financial opportunity to you than a customer treatment experience. ”

Carey O. of Austin, TX   
10/14/2021    Review submitted online

“Dr Wu has been seeing me every 4 months for ear cleaning over the last year. She has completed 2 surgeries on me. She is gentle and answers all my questions (which are many). Over the years I have suffered with terrible ear infections and other doctors have not solved the problem. She came up with a plan and for the first time in years I am infection free! I highly recommend Dr Wu! ”

Sophie D. of Horseshoe Bay, TX   
01/25/2021    Review submitted online

“Dr. Emmy Wu, was pleasant, listened well, asked me pertinent questions and completed my exam and procedure in a timely, but relaxed manner. She as well as her staff were professional and very easy to work with. I would refer Dr. Wu, in a heartbeat!”

Patti B. of Burnet, TX   
06/11/2020    Review submitted online

“Dr. Sabrina Olivia and the staff at River ENT provide service that is second to none. They are professional, conscientious and very welcoming at every visit. I highly recommend their services. ”

Peter C. of Austin, TX   
02/17/2020    Review received via mail

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Clinic details

Adult and Pediatric Ear, Nose and Throat Specialists

River ENT is a full-spectrum, pediatric and adult Ear, Nose and Throat medical group offering ethical, compassionate, patient-focused medical and surgical care as well as hearing aid, bone-anchored hearing system and cochlear implant services.

Hearing care services

Our services include the following:

  • Full service Ear, Nose and Throat medical and surgical clinic
  • Comprehensive hearing evaluations and testing
  • Hearing aid sales – latest technology
  • Hearing aid dispensing and fittings
  • Hearing aid accessories
  • Hearing aid service including cleaning, checks, maintenance and repairs
  • Custom earmolds and hearing protection
  • Cochlear implant services including surgical implantation, mapping (Cochlear Americas, Advanced Bionics)
  • BAHA and Ponto implantation and programming (Cochlear Americas, Oticon Medical) 
  • Consultation, evaluation and treatment for complex ear disease including Meniere's Disease, Cholesteatoma, Chronic ear infections, Dizziness/ Vertigo, sudden hearing loss, and other ear diseases.

 

(512) 686-5017

Hours of operation

SundayClosed
Monday8 am - 12 pm, 1 - 4 pm
by appointment
Tuesday8 am - 12 pm, 1 - 4 pm
by appointment
Wednesday8 am - 12 pm, 1 - 4 pm
by appointment
Thursday8 am - 12 pm, 1 - 4 pm
by appointment
Friday8 am - 12 pm, 1 - 4 pm
by appointment
SaturdayClosed

Clinic links

Accepted forms of payment

  • Visa
  • MasterCard
  • American Express
  • Cash
  • Check
  • Debit
  • Financing available for those who qualify
  • Insurance accepted, please call for details
Disclaimer: This clinic profile is for general information purposes only.
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