The Story of Dr. Brandon Fornwalt

Precision, Compassion, and Community

Before he ever wore a white coat or picked up a scalpel, Dr. Brandon Fornwalt stood in the halls of State Farm Stadium, not as a physician but as a high school student in Glendale, Arizona, searching for direction. It was there, at a local career expo, that he first laid eyes on the da Vinci surgical robot. The precision. The innovation. The promise of healing through science. It didn’t just spark an interest; it sparked a calling.

That day changed everything.

Motivated by a newfound vision, Dr. Fornwalt began volunteering as a patient transporter at John C. Lincoln Hospital, where the rhythm of medicine came alive. But it was an opportunity as an office assistant at Valley ENT, now the very clinic where he practices, that sealed his future in otolaryngology. From the intricacies of head and neck procedures to the delicate work of restoring hearing or helping someone breathe easier, he knew he’d found his path.

What makes Dr. Fornwalt’s journey remarkable isn’t just his credentials, though there are many. It’s that after training across the country, publishing research, and receiving competitive grants, he chose to return home. Back to Glendale. Back to where it all began.

Today, as a board-certified ENT surgeon, Dr. Fornwalt isn’t just serving patients; he’s serving neighbors, families, and friends. He is familiar with the unique challenges of Arizona’s desert climate. He knows the community’s needs. And more importantly, he listens.

Whether he’s treating a child with chronic ear infections (with help from his signature Bluey scrub cap) or guiding a family through a life-altering diagnosis, Dr. Fornwalt balances scientific excellence with unwavering empathy. In his hands, precision, and compassion are never separate; they’re partners.

He is also one of the few in the region certified to perform Inspire therapy, a life-changing treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. He stays on the cutting edge of medical advancements but never loses sight of what matters most: ensuring his patients feel understood, empowered, and supported every step of the way.

Beyond the clinic, his grounding comes from his faith, his family, and staying active. These roots fuel his resilience and remind him to show up with purpose every day.

To the next generation of physicians, he offers profound but straightforward wisdom: medicine will take all you give. Stay passionate. Stay grounded. And don’t lose yourself along the way.

Dr. Fornwalt returned home not only to practice medicine but to serve a greater mission, one rooted in gratitude, connection, and a desire to give back to the very place that gave him his start. His journey is proof that true excellence isn’t found in degrees alone but in the hearts of those who choose to serve where they are needed most.

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