Published: August 2, 2021

2021 WIO Helen F. Krause, MD Trailblazer Award

The Helen F. Krause, MD Trailblazer Award recognizes an individual who has furthered the interests of women in the field of otolaryngology. This year’s award recipient is Nancy M. Young, MD.


WioThe Helen F. Krause, MD Trailblazer Award recognizes an individual who has furthered the interests of women in the field of otolaryngology.  

Nancy M. Young, MDNancy M. Young, MDThis year’s awardee is Nancy M. Young, MD. She is the head of the Section of Otology and Neurotology, Division of Otolaryngology, at the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Illinois, where she is the Lillian S. Wells Professor of Pediatric Otolaryngology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

Throughout her career, Dr. Young has worked to advance the interests of women in the field of otolaryngology through scholarship, advocacy, leadership, and mentorship. She has been a member of the Women in Otolaryngology (WIO) Section since its inception and is a member of Women in Neurotology.  

Dr. Young took part on the steering committee for the Women’s Faculty Organization of Northwestern University Fienberg School of Medicine. She served as course director for the 13th Symposium on Cochlear Implants in Children in 2011, the first woman surgeon to do so. The symposium included a talk on women as leaders and a women’s professional development session. 

For several years and together with Debara L. Tucci, MD, MS, MBA, Dr. Young presented courses at the AAO-HNSF Annual Meeting & OTO Experience on gender differences in professional advancement and gender and leadership in otolaryngology. She presented on gender matters at the Northwestern University School of Medicine and to residents at the University of California,  San Francisco. 

Dr. Young often works behind the scenes to mentor and advocate for women residents, physicians, and faculty members. She supports their interests and recommends them for leadership positions. 


More from August 2021 – Vol. 40, No. 7