Meet Dr. Chris Walz, ENT Doctor in Birmingham, AL

In this provider spotlight, we’re featuring Dr. Chris Walz, an otolaryngologist at ExcelENT of Alabama. We sat down with Dr. Walz to talk about his path to ENT, his approach to patient care, and his advanced training in sleep apnea treatment.

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Nobody wants to hear the word “surgery” five minutes into their first appointment. Dr. Walz knows that worry well, which is why his first visits start with questions instead of answers. As an ENT doctor in Birmingham, he’d rather understand how your symptoms affect your life before recommending anything.

That patient-first approach took shape during years of training at UAB, and it’s grounded in a deep connection to the city he calls home. Dr. Walz grew up here, and caring for his hometown is something he doesn’t take lightly. Here’s how he found his way to ENT and what patients can expect when they meet him.

A Birmingham Native Comes Home

Dr. Walz wasn’t born in Birmingham, but he’s lived here since he was two, long enough that he considers himself a Birmingham native. He graduated summa cum laude from Auburn University before returning to the UAB School of Medicine, where he graduated magna cum laude and was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society. He stayed at UAB to complete his residency in Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery.

Over the years, he’s watched Birmingham change, and in a lot of ways, for the better. Returning as a physician has been a full-circle moment for him. “I take a lot of pride in being able to step back into the community that raised me,” he says.

That connection shows up in the exam room, too. Dr. Walz often finds a friend’s parent on his schedule or a familiar face from his old high school, and sometimes even from a local rival school. For him, those relationships are a chance to serve his hometown in a way few physicians get to.

An Elective That Changed Everything

ENT wasn’t always the plan. Dr. Walz didn’t seriously consider the specialty until about two-thirds of the way through medical school, when a close friend and mentor encouraged him to take an ENT elective.

“I love the variety that comes with ENT,” he says. In a single week, he might treat toddlers and grandparents, patients with quality-of-life concerns, and patients facing far more serious diagnoses. The specialty also lets him pursue surgery while building long-term relationships with patients and their families.

What to Expect During a First Visit

Dr. Walz treats every first appointment as a fact-finding mission. He learns how symptoms affect a patient’s daily life, then completes an exam to shape an early game plan.

Many ENT conditions can be managed medically, surgically, or both, and he finds that a lot of new patients haven’t tried medical management yet. “I like to answer all questions, put a lot of fears to bed if I can,” he says.

Treatment often starts with medical therapy and adjusts from there. This look at non-surgical options for chronic nasal congestion explores a similar approach.

Treating Kids Means Treating the Whole Family

Caring for children is one of Dr. Walz’s favorite parts of ENT. Parents often carry more anxiety than their kids, so he brings the whole family into the conversation.

“It brings with it the added bonus that you get to take care of oftentimes three or four people instead of just one,” he says. Parents can learn more in this guide to common ear, nose, and throat issues in children.

The Conditions He Sees Most

A handful of concerns come up again and again in his exam room, such as:

• Trouble breathing through the nose, also known as nasal obstruction
• Seasonal allergies, treated with in-house allergy testing and allergy immunotherapy (allergy shots)
• Hearing loss
• Recurrent ear infections, including kids and adults who may need ear tubes
• Tonsil infections, tonsil stones, and enlarged tonsils, which may call for a tonsillectomy
• Neck masses, including thyroid and salivary gland disorders
• Obstructive sleep apnea in patients who do not tolerate CPAP therapy
• Ear, tonsil, and adenoid conditions in children

A Specialized Interest in Sleep Apnea

Snoring and sleep apnea might not sound like ENT concerns, but the problem often starts in the throat. During residency, Dr. Walz trained in the surgical treatment of obstructive sleep apnea, and he has since completed advanced certification in hypoglossal nerve stimulator implantation for patients who can’t tolerate CPAP. “CPAP is the gold standard first-line therapy, but it’s not for everybody,” he says.

The implant, such as Inspire®, sends low-voltage stimulation to the nerve that controls the tongue, moving it forward to keep the airway open during sleep. It’s worth asking about for anyone who has struggled with CPAP, and the American Academy of Otolaryngology shares more in its position statement on hypoglossal nerve stimulation.

Life Outside the Clinic

Away from work, Dr. Walz and his wife love exploring Birmingham’s growing food scene. Trying new restaurants around town is one of their favorite ways to spend an evening, and the city’s food scene has come a long way since he was a kid.

On weekends, they bring their 15-month-old daughter and their rambunctious Australian shepherd, Finley, hiking at Red Mountain Park, Ruffner Mountain, and Oak Mountain State Park. When they can get away, they also love traveling, both around the U.S. and abroad.

Personalized ENT Care, Close to Home

Stubborn congestion, muffled hearing, and restless nights have a way of turning into something you just live with, until they start shaping your days. Getting answers often begins with one conversation, and it helps when that conversation is with someone who knows the community as well as the anatomy. For patients across the Birmingham area, that conversation can now start with Dr. Walz at ExcelENT of Alabama.

Dr. Walz Is Now Accepting New Patients at ExcelENT of Alabama

Dr. Walz joins Dr. Christopher Davis and a team of nurse practitioners, audiologists, and allergy specialists at ExcelENT, where every visit is about real answers instead of rushed decisions. Since 2011, our practice has provided comprehensive ENT care for adults and children across the Birmingham area, from sinus conditions and allergies to ear and hearing concerns.

If congestion, ear trouble, or throat irritation has overstayed its welcome, it’s time to get it checked out. Schedule an appointment at our Hoover or Homewood office and give your symptoms the attention they deserve.