2025 AAO-HNS/F Honorary Award Recipients
The Academy honors these exceptional individuals and groups transforming otolaryngology through their service, mentorship, pioneering research, and clinical excellence.
The following individuals and organizations have made exceptional contributions to otolaryngology and to the communities they serve, demonstrating excellence in clinical care, education, research, and sustained, selfless service.
Nikhil J. Bhatt, MD International Humanitarian Award
The Nikhil J. Bhatt, MD International Humanitarian Award honors a non-U.S. otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeon who has selflessly treated people for whom access to care would have been financially or physically prohibitive.
Phakdee Sannikorn, MD
Colleagues refer to him as "a giant in humanitarian work." Dr. Sannikorn is currently the president of the Thai Rural Ear, Nose, and Throat Foundation, which provides mobile ear surgery services, particularly in prisons and orphanages. He has conducted annual "ear camps" (surgeries) in rural areas for more than 30 years, covering not only areas of Thailand but also Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam, Bhutan, Laos, and China.
Dr. Sannikorn is a pioneer in head and neck surgery, having initiated formal training in the specialty in Thailand. His vision and leadership are evident in his founding of the Thai Society for Head and Neck Oncology, which has created a community for practitioners in the country. A former president of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Federation of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, he has facilitated fellowship training for younger physicians from neighboring countries and organized the annual ASEAN course in head and neck surgery in Bangkok for the past 20 years. This initiative has strengthened the knowledge, skills, and network of head and neck surgeons in this region.
Nikhil J. Bhatt, MD International Public Service Award
The Nikhil J. Bhatt, MD International Public Service Award honors a non-U.S. otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeon whose achievements have advanced the specialty.
Rosalinda Pieruzzini, MD
Dr. Pieruzzini completed an otorhinolaryngology residency at the Carlos Arvelo Military Hospital (Hospital Militar Dr. Carlos Arvelo) in Caracas, Venezuela, a fellowship in otology and neurotology at the García-Ibáñez Otology Institute in Barcelona, Spain, and a fellowship in skull base and endoscopic surgery at the Civil Hospital of Legnano. Additionally, she trained in cell cultures of mucosal stem cells, human olfactory, and cell regeneration at the Cell Therapy and Experimental Medicine Unit of the Venezuelan Institute for Scientific Research.
She became a professor in rhinology and neuroanatomy at the Carlos Arvelo Military Hospital and served as the director of the otorhinolaryngology residency for seven years. During her tenure, she transformed the academic program from a hospital-care residency to a university postgraduate degree program and established the hospital's neurorhinology unit. Dr. Pieruzzini also created a smell and taste test for children and adults that was used for the widespread diagnosis of patients with smell disorders associated with COVID-19 in Venezuela, earning a national award from the Venezuelan Congress of Otorhinolaryngology.
Dr. Pieruzzini is the author of more than 10 international publications and 15 national publications in scientific journals and books. She has received more than 20 academic awards for her national and international presentations of scientific works in her specialty and has taught over 40 courses in various countries, including South Korea, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, Paraguay, Chile, Colombia, and the Dominican Republic.
BOG Model Society Award
The Board of Governors (BOG) Model Society Award recognizes outstanding local/state/regional societies that exhibit effective leadership, institute Academy and Foundation programs, and further Academy goals through active participation in the BOG.
MAO members include active and retired physicians, residents, medical students, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners, representing not only the state of Minnesota but also Wisconsin, Illinois, North Dakota, and South Dakota. The 11-member MAO board of directors comprises physicians from academic institutions (fostering research and educational connections), community practices (giving voice to the needs of metropolitan and rural patients), and residents (bringing diverse viewpoints across generations).
The MAO Annual Meeting boasts an attendance of more than 100 participants. Internationally recognized guest speakers provide keynote speeches. State representatives and lobbyists provide key updates on legislative developments. Academic faculty, residents, and medical students participate in educational sessions, research presentations, and networking. Industry representatives and vendors offer potential employment opportunities, technological support, and evolving best practices.
MAO charitable efforts include supporting the annual "Walk to D-Feet Hearing Loss," which raises funds to provide vital clinical care, groundbreaking research, and essential hearing programs. Members also benefit from leadership and professional development opportunities.
BOG Practitioner of Excellence Award
The Board of Governors Practitioner Excellence Award recognizes the prototypical clinical otolaryngologist one wishes to emulate.
J. Pablo Stolovitzky, MD
During his term as International Coordinator, he had a profound impact on expanding the Academy's international footprint, resulting in increased membership and enhanced global partnerships. His vision and work toward a more collaborative global otolaryngology community have resulted in expanded educational opportunities involving the International Corresponding Societies through joint meetings and the creation of the Global Grand Rounds, as well as for individuals with the International Visiting Scholars program and the AAO-HNSF journals.
A distinguished figure in his field, Dr. Stolovitzky has been recognized with numerous prestigious awards. He was inducted into the 2022 AAO-HNS Hall of Distinction as a "Living Legend" and has received the Excellence in Teaching Award and Lifetime Achievement Award from the Georgia Society of Otolaryngology. His accolades also include the AAO-HNS Distinguished Honor Award and the Board of Governors Chair Award. Dr. Stolovitzky also serves as the Secretary General of the Pan-American Association of Otolaryngology-HNS, where he is set to assume the presidency in 2026.
A highly sought-after speaker, Dr. Stolovitzky lectures nationally and internationally on nasal and sinus disorders. He is a founding member of Ear, Nose and Throat of Georgia and CEO of the 20-otolaryngologist group practice. His recent research focuses on radiofrequency ablation of the posterior nasal nerve for chronic rhinitis, absorbable implants for nasal valve collapse, and steroid-eluting stents for nasal polyps. Dr. Stolovitzky's contributions have significantly advanced both clinical care and global education in the field of otolaryngology.
Distinguished Award for Humanitarian Service
The Distinguished Award for Humanitarian Service recognizes an Academy member who is widely known for a consistent, stable character distinguished by honesty, zeal for truth, integrity, love for and devotion to humanity, and a self-giving spirit. The awardee is well known for professional excellence and has demonstrated professional dedication by freely giving professional skills without desire for personal gain or aggrandizement to those in this world who cannot otherwise, physically and financially, receive them.
James P. Murphy, MD
Tamale is the fourth-largest city in the country, and the Tamale Teaching Hospital’s Department of Ear, Nose, and Throat is the only one of its kind in northern Ghana, providing services to a population of over two million. While there are other otolaryngology facilities hundreds of miles away, most of the patients whom Dr. Murphy served are unable to travel that far.
Dr. Murphy is an active member of the AAO-HNSF Humanitarian Efforts Committee. He continues to volunteer his time and talents in support of Ghanaians by advocating for medical equipment and resources. He is passionate about recruiting other physicians interested in humanitarian work to consider the benefits of being on-site full-time to provide medical help in under-resourced communities. Dr. Murphy has also supported residents for years by paying for their Academy dues and educational opportunities. His experience, dedication, and passion for service are life-saving and inspiring.
Holt Leadership Award for Residents and Fellows-in-Training
The Holt Leadership Award is awarded annually to the Resident or Fellow-in-Training who best exemplifies the attributes of a young leader: honesty, integrity, fairness, advocacy, and enthusiasm. The Award recognizes exemplary efforts on behalf of the Section for Residents and Fellows-in-Training of the AAO-HNS/F for the promotion of the missions and goals of the association.
Julia Brennan, MD
During her medical training, Dr. Brennan has been actively involved in working within underserved populations at home and abroad. She coordinated the University of Michigan student-run free clinic throughout medical school and served on the executive board. She was also awarded a Dow Sustainability Fellowship in her final year to explore the socioeconomic and health impacts of Detroit's large-scale development projects on its most vulnerable populations. Dr. Brennan's professional interests include global health, medical education, surgical simulation, and more.
Throughout residency, she collaborated with James Netterville, MD, to organize international surgical training workshops between American and Kenyan academic surgeons. She has been able to continue this work in Kenya since graduating from Vanderbilt and hopes to build on these efforts to bring fellowship-level otolaryngology-head and neck surgery care to populations most in need.
Jerome C. Goldstein, MD Public Service Award
This award recognizes an Academy member for commitment and achievement in service, either to the public or to other organizations within the United States, when such service promises to improve patient welfare.
Cecelia E. Schmalbach, MD, MSc
Her service to the Academy and the public is extensive. Dr. Schmalbach has served as the Editor-in-Chief of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and OTO Open (2022-present), Coordinator for Research and Quality (2018-2022), member of the AAO-HNS/F Board of Directors (2018-present), member of the Physician Payment Policy (3P) Working Group (2017-2019), Nominating Committee member (2012-2014), and member of the Reg-Ent Executive Committee (2018-2022). She has been involved in numerous other societies, including the American Head and Neck Society, where she currently serves on the Executive Council, and as an oral examiner for the American Board of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery.
Additionally, Dr. Schmalbach has contributed 67 peer-reviewed publications and 24 book chapters to the specialty. She is a role model for women and a strong mentor for students and residents. Her impact on molding and mentoring innumerable journal reviewers and journal editors over the years is sure to be a significant part of her legacy.
OPPS Spirit of Private Practice Award
The award is given by the Otolaryngology Private Practice Section (OPPS) to a member who has made significant contributions to private practice otolaryngology. The recipient should demonstrate business acumen, leadership, and dedication to the sustainability of independent practices.
William Blythe, MD
As a member-at-large of the AAO-HNS Board of Directors, Dr. Blythe has been an outspoken advocate for independent practices as well as through Bulletin articles and insightful comments, postings, and replies on the ENTConnect platform. He has served on multiple AAO-HNS committees, including the Annual Meeting Program Committee and the Reg-ENT Executive Committee over Sinus and Allergy, where he continues to serve.
Dr. Blythe leads by example through his involvement in his local community. He is the president of Alabama Society of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, as well as alternate governor. He is the past chief of staff of East Alabama Health System and has served as program chair for the Gulf States Regional Otolaryngology Meeting for 14 years.
Dr. Blythe mentors and encourages young leaders within his private practice and the Academy, and he has published numerous articles promoting physician leadership.
WIO Exemplary Senior Trainee Award
This award recognizes an outstanding female senior resident or fellow in an otolaryngology-head and neck surgery training program who demonstrates excellence in leadership, research, education, and mentoring.
Pauline Huynh, MD
Throughout her residency, Dr. Huynh has distinguished herself through a steadfast commitment to advancing health equity, strengthening the physician workforce, and elevating the voices of trainees at every level. At her home institution, she has served on the Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity Committee and successfully mobilized her peers on key issues, including trainee rights and challenges to the scope of practice. As a union bargaining member, she participated in negotiations to secure a first contract with improved wages and benefits for residents.
Dr. Huynh remains deeply involved in her academic pursuits at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, earning multiple departmental research awards and being named the 2024 Resident Researcher of the Year. During her year as Ciccarone Center Health Fellow, she managed 12 multicenter digital health studies and helped secure a $3.5 million grant from the American Heart Association to launch the Center for Health Technology & Innovation. She also participated in the inaugural JAMA Student Leadership Program, where she learned best practices in study design, manuscript preparation, and public engagement. Her research spans clinical education, hearing loss, gender-affirming care, and health system utilization, and has been presented at numerous national conferences.
Currently serving her second term as the Section for Residents and Fellows-in-Training representative on the AAO-HNS Board of Governors, she recently completed her term as chair of the American Medical Association's Resident & Fellow Section, representing 70,000 trainees and championing resident protections. Her leadership and mentorship have had a lasting impact, earning her the 2024 AAO-HNS Holt Leadership Award.
WIO Helen F. Krause, MD Trailblazer Award
This award recognizes an individual who has furthered the interests of women in the field of otolaryngology.
Pell Ann Wardrop, MD
Dr. Wardrop served as the financial officer of the WIO from 2010 to 2017 and as a WIO representative on the AAO-HNS Finance and Investment Subcommittee from 2011 to 2017. She was a member of the WIO Governing Council from 2010 to 2017 and a WIO representative to the ENT PAC from 2016 to 2018. She served as chair of the WIO Endowment Committee from 2010 to 2017.
Dr. Wardrop was one of the first otolaryngologists to achieve sub-certification in sleep medicine and served on the AAO-HNS Sleep Disorders Committee from 2006 to 2015 and from 2019 to 2021, where she also chaired the committee from 2008 to 2013. She contributed to the Outcomes Research and Evidence-based Medicine Committee from 2006 to 2009 and received the Distinguished Service Award (2018) and Honor Award (2023). Dr. Wardrop is a Millennium Society Life Member.
She received her Bachelor of Science degree from Purdue University and her medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine; she completed her residency and fellowship at the University of North Carolina.
WIO He for She Award
This award recognizes a male otolaryngologist who serves as a strong mentor, collaborator, and sponsor of women in otolaryngology.
Albert Merati, MD
Among his many leadership positions within the AAO-HNS, Dr. Merati served as President from 2018 to 2019. During Dr. Merati’s tenure as President, the number of medical students greatly increased owing to his commitment to ensuring women and students from underrepresented backgrounds were given resources to match into residency. He also served on the AAO-HNS Board of Directors, where he proactively met with members of the WIO Section to understand and advocate for their needs. Colleagues have remarked that throughout all his positions of leadership, Dr. Merati has not only strived to be inclusive but has also been actively supportive of women otolaryngologists.
Other colleagues have noted that he intentionally reaches out to other leaders to advocate for the nomination of women and underrepresented minorities, ensuring that their voices are not only heard but also amplified. They speak of his natural ability to make everyone feel valued, special, and respected—often with a sense of humor. In education, Dr. Merati demonstrated the power of sponsorship when he curated the curriculum for University of Washington trainees, dedicating all lectures to female laryngologists from across the country. He consistently strives to elevate women and underrepresented minorities, ensuring that they have opportunities to speak on panels, present at podiums, and assume leadership roles.
YPS IMPACT Award
Young physicians are often overlooked or deemed not qualified enough for many of the awards available in our specialty. Yet, many young physicians are quite remarkable in their impact on education, community service, professional service, and humanitarian work. The YPS would like to recognize these individuals not only for the work they achieve but also for the inspiration they provide to others.
Shayanne Lajud Guerrero, MD
Dr. Lajud understands firsthand the barriers that many Spanish-speaking and immigrant patients can face in accessing specialized healthcare. He has dedicated his career to ensuring that no patient is left behind, even those who lack financial resources or insurance. He is known for going out of his way to secure essential surgical treatments, identify solutions for resource-limited cases, and provide the highest level of care, regardless of a patient’s ability to pay.
Beyond his clinical excellence, Dr. Lajud is a passionate educator and mentor, committed to training the next generation of otolaryngologists. He has led a growing research initiative, mentoring medical students and residents in academic projects that directly impact patient care. Through his leadership, he has helped integrate the University of Puerto Rico's Otolaryngology Department into the Global Tracheostomy Collaborative, a quality-improvement initiative aimed at improving tracheostomy outcomes and advancing scholarly work.
Dr. Lajud is committed to his patients and trainees. His guidance has empowered students to present at local and national conferences, publish in high-impact journals, and pursue ambitious projects. Furthermore, his resilience, selflessness, and unwavering dedication to medical education, healthcare advocacy, and humanitarian service make him a true role model for young physicians.
YPS Model Mentor Award
Having a good mentor is important to every phase of a physician’s career but perhaps never more critical than in the earliest years out of training. The YPS Model Mentor Award recognizes the key role that expert mentorship plays in a young physician’s success.
Elizabeth Willingham, MD
Dr. Willingham received her medical degree from the University of Maryland School of Medicine and went on to complete a surgical internship and residency in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery at Baylor College of Medicine. Upon graduation, she worked in Boston at the Cambridge Health Alliance before settling in Atlanta, GA. She was recognized by the Emory University School of Medicine with the Hidden Gem Award in 2016 for her work in establishing the inpatient otolaryngology consult service.
As one of the first otolaryngology hospitalists nationwide, Dr. Willingham has spoken nationally and published on the topic, paving the way for other otolaryngology hospitalists to gain the knowledge and confidence they need to succeed in their positions. Many are creating new models of delivering otolaryngology medical and surgical care for acutely ill patients within their hospitals.
Colleagues and younger otolaryngologists have noted Dr. Willingham's willingness to create a safe space for collaboration and sharing, both positive and challenging aspects of the hospitalist's job, and to advise future otolaryngologists on how to navigate these challenges. "She serves as a central supporter for all [ENT] hospitalists in the monthly meetings I host, and her passion for growing our field is contagious," one mentee said. "She leaves an indelible impact on all the healthcare team members she works with through her presence and high-impact work."
Committees of Excellence
The Committees of Excellence Award recognizes committees that contribute in ways that lead to the Academy’s overall success as the global leader in optimizing quality ear, nose, and throat care.
Facial Plastics and Reconstructive Education Committee
General Otolaryngology and Sleep Education Committee
Head and Neck Surgery Education Committee
Laryngology/ Esophagoscopy Education Committee
Otology/ Neurotology Education Committee
Pediatric Otolaryngology Education Committee
Practice Management Education Committee
Rhinology/ Allergy Education Committee
Simulation Education Committee
WIO Leadership Development & Mentoring Committee
