The History and Background of Central Carolina Ear Nose & Throat

Dr. WIlliam C. LeLiever opened Central Carolina Ear, Nose, and Throat (CCENT) in January 1987 at 1911 ­KM Wicker Drive.  Audiologist, Ellen Wilson, and billing specialist, Cindy Kane, joined him the following year.  The opening of this practice was significant as the first long-term ENT patient facility in the Sanford/Lee County area.  Previous ENTs to the area (Dr. Sowers, Dr. Anderson, Dr. Silver) stayed only a short time.  Prior to that, patients had to travel to Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Durham, or Fayetteville to receive their care.

CCENT’s primary focus in the beginning was as an Otology (Ear) and Balance Disorders Center.  The practice had a complete audiological and vestibular (balance) lab.The practice expanded twice, first acquiring additional office space from Dr. Charles Matthews, occupying the whole building at 1911 KM Wicker Drive, and then in 1991, adding additional office space to accommodate increased scope of services including facial plastic surgery, general otolaryngology, and rhinology. 

From 1987-1992, Dr. LeLiever lectured in Otolaryngology and Anatomy at the University of North Carolina -Chapel Hill and Duke University.  In 1992, Dr. David Schaefer, one of Dr. LeLiever’s former colleagues from the University of Toronto, joined CCENT.  Dr. Schaefer had been in private practice for twelve years and relocated from Ottawa, Canada.  After his departure, several otolaryngologists provided clinical care, including Dr. Carey Butler, Dr. Robert McMahon, Dr. Lee Watkins, and Dr.Ednan Mustaq. 

In 1999, Dr. Samuel Davis joined the practice, coinciding also with the opening of the new facility next door at 1915 KM Wicker Drive.  Dr. Davis, a graduate of Wake Forest University and the Bowman Gray School of Medicine, completed his residency in otolaryngology at Indiana University and has been with us now for seven years. 

CCENT services have increased over the years with the addition of a clinical skin care specialist, services and products; more specialized audiological procedures/diagnostic tests; a state of the art digital hearing aid dispensary; allergy testing; and comprehensive care for the ear, nose, and throat.  Dr. Doris Lin joined our staff in August, 2006.  That was also the same time that Central Carolina ENT opened up its Apex office.  Our expansion has gone very well as we have begun to develop a solid patient following in the Apex area.  CCENT looks forward to the next decade with tremendous potential and excitement.