2025 Presidential Citations
Four individuals earn recognition from the AAO-HNS/F President for prestigious Presidential Citations.
Troy D. Woodard, MD, AAO-HNS/F President
Troy D. Woodard, MD
AAO-HNS/F President
Presidential Citations are awarded to individuals who have had a profound influence on the AAO-HNS/F President’s life and otolaryngology career. President Troy D. Woodard, MD, has selected these individuals for their outstanding contributions. Please join Dr. Woodard during the AAO-HNSF 2025 Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO Opening Ceremony, 8:00 am (ET) Saturday, October 11, as he recognizes the impact these individuals have had on him personally and professionally.
Stilianos (Stil) Kountakis, MD
Stilianos (Stil) Kountakis, MD
Dr. Kountakis serves as professor and chair of the Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery and holds the Edward S. Porubsky, MD Distinguished Chair in Otolaryngology at the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University. Throughout his career, he has built a reputation not only for his surgical and academic excellence but also for fostering a culture of opportunity and mentorship.
What truly sets Dr. Kountakis apart is his unwavering belief in people. He has trained a diverse group of fellows from across the country and around the world—creating opportunities for those who, like myself, simply needed someone to believe in them.
In 2008, Dr. Kountakis gave me that opportunity. When others hesitated, he saw potential. He offered me a fellowship position in advanced rhinology and skull base surgery—a decision that transformed my career. His faith in me, along with his guidance, mentorship, and dedication to educating me, laid the foundation for every step of my professional journey that followed.
Among the many lessons he shared, one piece of advice continues to guide me in every facet of my life and career: “Remain true to yourself.” That simple message still shapes my approach to medicine, leadership, and life.
Dr. Kountakis has served as President of the American Rhinologic Society (ARS). His numerous awards and honors speak to his exceptional contributions to otolaryngology, including the ARS Golden Head Mirror Award, the AAO-HNS/F Distinguished Service Award, and the Lester Brown Award from the Georgia Society of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery.
For his visionary leadership, his unwavering commitment to mentoring the next generation, his dedication to diversity and inclusion, and for giving me—and so many others—a chance to succeed, it is my great honor to present Dr. Stilianos Kountakis with the 2025 AAO-HNS/F Presidential Citation.
Barbara Murrell
Barbara Murrell
In the summer of 1996, as a high school student at Martin Luther King Magnet High School in Nashville, Tennessee, I was fortunate to cross paths with Mrs. Murrell. She recruited me to participate in the NIH-sponsored African American Study of Kidney Disease and Hypertension Summer Research Program at Vanderbilt University. Through this program, she provided me with invaluable exposure to academic research and medicine, sparking my interest in healthcare.
But it was another opportunity that she helped make possible that truly changed the trajectory of my life. She opened the door for me to work at Meharry Medical College—an experience that became nothing short of transformational. It was there, for the very first time, that I saw physicians who looked like me—Black men and women serving as leaders in medicine, excelling as clinicians, researchers, and educators. That moment ignited something within me. It was the first time I truly believed that I, too, could become a doctor. It planted the seed that would ultimately lead me to a career in surgery and to this moment, standing before you as President of this Academy.
Mrs. Murrell’s mentorship extends far beyond my personal story. Her career spans more than four decades, during which she has broken barriers and advanced opportunities for countless students. She was the first woman vice president for student affairs at Tennessee State University and in the Tennessee Board of Regents System. Throughout her career, she has served as an administrator, professor, and advisor, always centering students’ success and well-being.
Today, she continues to build pathways for aspiring healthcare professionals as the chair of the Dr. Levi Watkins, Jr. Institute at Tennessee State University (TSU). Named for the pioneering cardiac surgeon and TSU alumnus, the Institute stands as a testament to her vision and dedication. Under her leadership, the Institute has established innovative partnerships with leading medical institutions, including Meharry Medical College, Meharry Dental School, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, and Thomas F. Frist, Jr. College of Medicine at Belmont University. Through these collaborations, the Institute provides students with unprecedented opportunities for mentorship, academic advancement, and direct pathways into careers in medicine, dentistry, and other health sciences.
Mrs. Murrell has not only been a mentor and leader—she has been a door-opener, a dream igniter, and a life changer. I am one of many who owe their success to her belief in their potential.
For her lifelong commitment to mentorship, education, and the advancement of underrepresented students in medicine, it is my great honor to present Mrs. Barbara Murrell with the 2025 AAO-HNS/F Presidential Citation.
Maedella Woodard
Maedella Woodard
Throughout my life, my mother has been my guiding light. She taught me the importance of hard work, faith, and integrity. She instilled in me the value of education and perseverance—lessons that became the cornerstones of my personal and professional journey.
She has been there for every milestone, every setback, and every success. Her words of encouragement, her quiet prayers, and her constant sacrifices paved the way for me to pursue my dreams, even when the path seemed uncertain. She has always believed in me—even before I believed in myself.
This honor is not just about recognizing my mother as a parent; it is about celebrating the countless ways she has shaped my character and my heart. Her resilience, compassion, and wisdom have guided me through every chapter of my life.
As I stand here today as President of the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, I know that I do so because of the love, sacrifices, and teachings of Maedella Woodard.
For her unwavering love, her sacrifices seen and unseen, and for being the heart of our family and the root of every success I have known, it is my deepest honor to present this AAO-HNS/F Presidential Citation to my mother, Maedella Woodard.
Troy Donovan Woodard, Jr. (“Donny”)
Troy Donovan Woodard, Jr. (“Donny”)
Donny has been part of this profession since he was just a little boy. Long before he understood what an otolaryngologist was or what an Annual Meeting meant, he traveled alongside me—attending conferences, sitting through long sessions, and spending hours in hotel lobbies, patiently waiting while I fulfilled my professional obligations. He has been to more conferences and medical meetings than many physicians, and through it all, he never complained. That’s probably because I found time to sneak away and take him to an amusement park, zoo, or his favorite activity to visit the NFL stadium in that city!
As my career demanded more time and travel, there were sacrifices along the way. I missed his basketball games, track meets, and other milestones—moments every parent longs to witness. Yet Donny, with his generous heart and understanding spirit, accepted it all with grace. He never made me feel guilty, even when I carried that weight myself. Instead, he stood quietly in my corner, cheering me on just as I would have been cheering from the stands at his games.
Today, Donny is no longer that little boy sitting at conferences. He’s a teenager—entering the 10th grade—growing into a thoughtful, compassionate, and resilient young man. He is finding his own voice, building his own dreams, and shaping his own path forward. And while he continues to make his mark on the world, he remains my greatest source of pride.
This citation isn’t just about recognizing Donny as my son; it’s about honoring him as an essential part of my journey. He has been my constant reminder of what truly matters—family, love, and balance. His patience, sacrifices, and unwavering love allowed me to focus on my career and ultimately achieve this role as President of our Academy.
For his sacrifices, his grace, his loyalty, and his boundless love—and for all the lessons he has taught me about perseverance, humility, and fatherhood—it is my great honor to present this AAO-HNS/F Presidential Citation to Troy Donovan Woodard Jr.—Donny.
