Moving Mountains Together: Reflections from President Woodard
The gavel may pass, but my commitment remains, and our momentum will carry on because our Academy is strong, our mission is clear, and our members are extraordinary.
Troy D. Woodard, MD
AAO-HNS/F President
It’s hard to believe how quickly this year has passed. When I stepped into the role of President, I knew we had important work ahead. What I didn’t fully anticipate was how much joy, pride, and gratitude this journey would bring me.
Together, we have accomplished more than any one person could have imagined:
- We strengthened our voice in Washington and at the state and payer levels, advancing advocacy that protects our patients and our profession ensuring otolaryngology remains a vital part of the national healthcare conversation.
- We launched the Presidential Task Force on Mentorship and Diversity, building bridges across generations, backgrounds, and experiences by planting seeds that will grow into a stronger, more inclusive future for our specialty.
- We sharpened our Strategic Plan so the Academy is agile, focused, and prepared to navigate the rapid changes in medicine with confidence and purpose and continues to foster our global and inclusive otolaryngology community.
- We came together time and time again in meetings, committees, and hallways, united by our shared commitment to excellence in otolaryngology.
These accomplishments aren’t just bullet points on a report. They are stories of members mentoring the next generation of surgeon leaders, of colleagues standing shoulder to shoulder on Capitol Hill to advocate for our patients, of friendships forged through service and scholarship. They are reminders that when we work together, we can move mountains.
This October, we are gathering in Indianapolis, Indiana, for the AAO-HNSF 2025 Annual & OTO EXPO. For me, it will be more than another conference. It will be a celebration of all that we’ve achieved and the people who made it possible. A chance to share a handshake, a hug, and a heartfelt thank you with so many of you who have made this year unforgettable. I hope you’ll join us, not just to hear the latest science, but to honor the work we’ve done together and to envision the bright future ahead.
Serving as your President has been the honor of my professional life. Thank you for trusting me with this role, for your dedication to our Academy, and for the countless ways you’ve inspired me. I will carry the lessons, stories, and relationships from this year for the rest of my career.
The gavel may pass, but my commitment remains, and our momentum will carry on because our Academy is strong, our mission is clear, and our members are extraordinary. The best chapters are still ahead, and I cannot wait to see what we will write together.
With gratitude,
Troy D. Woodard, MD
AAO-HNS/F President
