Scott Saffold

Scott Saffold is a board-certified otolaryngologist, founder, and medical director of Chesapeake Bay ENT, a respected ear, nose, and throat practice located in Southeastern Virginia. Since 2001, he has led the Belle Haven-based clinic’s evolution from a single-site operation in a medically underserved rural area into a recognized multi-site organization. The practice is recognized for delivering evidence-based, technologically advanced care with a focus on compassion and respect. In May 2026, he will celebrate 25 years of service in the state of Virginia. Dr Scott Saffold has built his practice around a commitment to service, teamwork, and long-term improvement. Through his leadership, a strong culture of growth and accountability has taken shape. Employees at every level, from administrative staff to advanced practice providers, have found opportunities to develop their skills and advance their careers under his guidance. His approach has encouraged the use of innovation, data, and consistent quality as the foundation for progress. His healthcare model focuses on smaller, community-based sites rather than extensive, centralized facilities. Each location is designed with attention to the needs and character of the neighborhoods it serves. This structure has fostered stronger local relationships, particularly with referring physicians, and has enabled patients to receive care in a setting that feels familiar and personal. Dr Saffold has always emphasized equitable access to care, regardless of a patient’s insurance status. His systems are designed to prioritize people, with the conviction that long-term patient outcomes should take precedence over short-term operational objectives. He remains committed to this principle and works to uphold it in every aspect of the practice. Scott has also led efforts to expand the use of advanced practice providers, such as nurse practitioners and physician assistants. By developing clear guidelines for training and supervision, he has helped broaden access to specialized care while maintaining safety and consistency. His leadership also includes the adoption of technologies such as AI-assisted documentation and in-office CT imaging, as well as procedures like in-office laryngeal biopsies, to support more accurate and convenient care. Dr Scott Saffold contributes to the broader medical community through his service on the board of a regional hospital system. He has played a significant role in partnerships that expand healthcare access in rural areas. He is regularly featured in local media for his expertise in sinonasal disease and balloon sinus dilation. He has published academic work on topics such as selective neck dissection, dermal allografts in reconstruction, and tumor immunology. Since 2014, Scott has served as the Medical Director of the Virginia Sinus Center in Virginia Beach. He is a diplomate of the American Board of Otolaryngology and a member of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. He earned a degree in Cell Biology from UC Berkeley in 1990. He graduated from Meharry Medical College at the top of his class, where he was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. He completed a General Surgery Internship at the University of New York at Buffalo, a research fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, and a residency in otolaryngology at Oregon Health Sciences University. His training included specialties such as otology, pediatric otolaryngology, facial plastic surgery, endoscopic sinus surgery, and head and neck radiology. Dr Saffold chose general otolaryngology to provide comprehensive care to his community. He supports underrepresented medical students through a scholarship at Meharry Medical College and holds an MBA from Old Dominion University's Strome College of Business in Norfolk, Virginia. His academic success has been recognized with several awards, including honors in pathology, hematology, internal medicine, and anatomy, as well as multiple scholarships for outstanding academic performance and service. Outside of his professional work, Scott Saffold is a devoted father of a son and daughter, a youth football coach, and an endurance athlete who has completed numerous marathons and triathlons, including two half-Ironman competitions. He also enjoys reading in his spare time.