The Power of Global Connection: Strengthening Otolaryngology Through International Collaboration

AAO-HNS/F President Troy Woodard, MD, helped kickoff the SMORL 2025 Congress León, Mexico, and is pictured with SMORL President Francisco Javier Saynes Marin, MD (right).Over the past month, I’ve had the distinct privilege of representing the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF) at two incredible international meetings—the 10th Annual International Congress of ORL-HNS (ICORL 2025) in Suwon, Korea, and the 74th National Congress of the Mexican Society of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery (SMORL) in León, Mexico.

These experiences reminded me why international collaboration is not a luxury or formality, but a necessity. As a matter of fact, our ability to connect with colleagues across borders is essential to the future of our specialty and, more importantly, to the care of our patients.

Korean dance troupe performing during ICORL 2025 in Suwon, Korea.At ICORL 2025, I was greeted with the kind of warmth and generosity that instantly makes you feel like family. The camaraderie was contagious and thought leaders from around the world reunited over Korean barbeque. During the scientific sessions, the education content and discourse was equally inspiring and represented a wide spectrum of expertise and perspectives. One of the most memorable experiences was the culture. The evening gala featured a performance by a renowned K-pop star and a traditional Korean dance troupe. It’s through these shared experiences that relationships are built, creating the foundation for lasting collaboration.

Shortly after returning, I traveled to León, Mexico, for the SMORL 2025 Congress. Again, I was moved by the hospitality and professionalism of our hosts as well as the passion of the attendees, the strength of the scientific program, and the mutual respect between our organizations.  Despite working in different healthcare systems, we are all part of the same global otolaryngology family.

One of my biggest takeaways from attending both meetings is that although our environments and resources may differ, many of our core challenges are the same. We are all navigating rising costs, resource limitations, healthcare policy hurdles, and the universal goal of delivering better care to more people. That shared struggle connects us and fuels our shared commitment to progress.

As we look ahead, I want to stress that the Academy’s commitment to our international members is stronger than ever. We understand that not everyone can travel to conferences, but no one should be left behind when it comes to professional growth. This year, we launched a new offering to our global colleagues that reflects our belief that learning should never be limited by geography.

That being said, if you can join us in person, we would love to see you at the AAO-HNSF Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO October 11–14, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. I promise you’ll be warmly welcomed and intellectually enriched. When international colleagues are present, our conversations are deeper, our perspectives are broader, and our solutions are more insightful. Global collaboration is not just about professional development— it’s about improving lives and multiplying our impact.

I would like to thank our friends in Korea, Mexico, and around the world for your partnership, generosity, and commitment to our shared mission. We are stronger together.