As Medical Director of the Comprehensive Otology and Hearing Program, Dr. Puricelli balances patient care with research focused on expanding diagnostic and treatment options. One of his current projects examines gaps in hearing loss care, including factors associated with incomplete diagnostic evaluations. In partnership with Genomic Answers for Kids, his team is also applying advanced long-read sequencing to better identify genetic causes of hearing loss. 

His work also explores microscopic ear anatomy and potential treatments such as intracochlear gene therapy delivery. 

Beyond hearing care, Dr. Puricelli is helping advance treatment for babies with complex airway needs. He was lead author of the first international consensus guidelines for perinatal airway management and, in collaboration with the Fetal Health Center, is co-directing a 54-site prospective study designed to better determine airway needs in fetuses with craniofacial skeletal conditions, head or neck masses and other conditions. 

Through this combination of clinical care and research, Dr. Puricelli and teams across Children’s Mercy are working to better understand complex pediatric ENT conditions and translate those insights into improved approaches to care.