Strengthening Our Future: Advancing Prominence of Women in Otolaryngology
The strength of WIO lies not in any single achievement but in the collective dedication of members who believe in a more equitable, innovative, and excellent specialty.
Megan Durr, MD, Chair, Women in Otolaryngology Section
As we celebrate March 8, which is both International Women's Day and WIO Day, the Women in Otolaryngology (WIO) Section stands at a remarkable intersection of reflection and momentum. For 15 years, WIO has been building a foundation of support, advocacy, and opportunity for women in our specialty. Now, as we move into our next chapter, we're not just celebrating our history—we're actively shaping the future of otolaryngology.
Today's WIO: Supporting Women Through Action
March is particularly meaningful this year as WIO launches several new initiatives designed to elevate women's voices and expand opportunities across the specialty. Our newly establishedInternational Visiting Scholarship for Women is already accepting applications and opening doors for global collaboration and knowledge exchange. We invite our international members to learn more and apply today!
This month, we're commemorating WIO Day and International Women's Day with a special Q&A webinar featuring WIO innovators who are breaking new ground in research, clinical practice, and leadership. Additionally, we are recording a Voices of Otolaryngology podcast hosted by AAO-HNS/F Executive Vice President and CEO Rahul K. Shah, MD, MBA, that will spotlight women leaders shaping the future of our field, sharing insights on navigating challenges, creating change, and inspiring the next generation.
The WIO Endowment: Fueling Research and Innovation
At the heart of WIO's impact is our endowment, which serves as a vital engine for advancing research that specifically addresses issues affecting women in otolaryngology. Since 2017, the endowment has awarded over $100,000 in grants supporting groundbreaking projects, professional development programs, and innovative tools that benefit our entire specialty.
The endowment funds critical initiatives, including research grants exploring topics such as pay parity and surgical ergonomics, webinars on work-life balance and career advancement, online learning tools tailored to women's professional development, and support for local WIO organizations at residency programs nationwide. These investments create ripple effects throughout our field, addressing challenges that have historically impacted women's advancement and retention in surgery.
Last year's 15th Anniversary Endowment Fund Giving Challenge demonstrated the strength of our community, raising over $53,000. This success reflects our collective commitment to building a specialty where all voices are heard and valued. As we continue to grow this critical resource, we're ensuring that future generations of women otolaryngologists have the support they need to thrive.
Resources That Make a Difference
WIO provides comprehensive resources designed to address the unique challenges women face throughout their careers. Our offerings include the WIO Leadership Library, a curated collection of leadership resources developed by the Leadership Development and Mentorship Committee; educational webinars covering everything from contract negotiation to surgical coaching; podcasts addressing wellness and work-life balance; and targeted programming on topics like surgical ergonomics for women surgeons and navigating fertility while maintaining a demanding surgical career.
Looking Forward: The 2026 Annual Meeting and Beyond
Planning is well underway for WIO programming at the AAO-HNSF 2026 Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO, October 17 – 20, in Los Angeles, California. We're designing sessions that will spark meaningful conversations about the evolving landscape of our specialty and equip women with tools to lead that evolution. From panel discussions featuring diverse perspectives to hands-on workshops addressing practical career challenges, our programming aims to inspire, educate, and connect.
The spirit of WIO extends beyond formal programs. It lives in the mentor relationships formed at meetings, the research collaborations sparked by shared challenges, and the advocacy efforts that improve conditions for all otolaryngologists. As we strengthen our international connections and deepen our commitment to supporting women at every career stage, we're building a more inclusive and innovative specialty.
A Legacy of Excellence
WIO's story is part of a longer narrative. Women otolaryngologists have been instrumental in establishing and advancing our specialty since the late 1800s, contributing to everything from instrument development to pioneering surgical techniques. Yet progress came hard-won, with women largely excluded from medical schools for nearly three decades in the early 20th century.
The formal establishment of the WIO Section in 2010 marked a turning point, creating an organized structure to address persistent challenges, including mentoring gaps, compensation disparities, and limited leadership opportunities. What began as informal gatherings of women with common challenges evolved into a vibrant, active, and engaged section—a testament to both the need for WIO's mission and the strength of the community we've built.
Celebrating Our 2025 Achievements
The AAO-HNSF 2025 Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO WIO General Assembly.Last year brought significant milestones for WIO. Our highly popular General Assembly, which was held during the 2025 Annual Meeting in Indianapolis, Indiana, was led by Valerie Flanary, MD, Immediate Past Chair, and Ilaaf Darrat, MD, MBA, Past Program and Awards Committee Chair. We were honored to welcome Silvia Karlsson, Aerodynamics Engineering Manager at General Motors and a member of their Formula 1 racing team, as our guest speaker, who delivered a dynamic and inspiring presentation.
The meeting highlighted WIO’s many accomplishments in 2025, including the tremendous success of our 15th Anniversary Endowment Fund Giving Challenge, as noted above, which raised more than $50,000. We also proudly celebrated our 2025 WIO award recipients:
Pauline Huynh, MD: Exemplary Senior Trainee Award
Albert L. Merati, MD: He For She Award
Pell Ann Wardrop, MD: Helen F. Krause, MD Trailblazer Award
Join Us in Shaping the Future
As WIO Chair, I'm honored to work alongside an exceptional Governing Council and committee leadership team for 2025-2026:
Governing Council
Chair Megan Durr, MD, University of California, San Francisco
Chair-Elect Ilaaf Darrat, MD, MBA, Henry Ford Health
Immediate Past Chair Valerie Flanary, MD, Medical College of Wisconsin
Financial Officer Kelly Malloy, MD, University of Michigan
Information Officer Cynthia Wang, MD, UT Southwestern Medical Center
Members-at-Large Nausheen Jamal, MD, MBA, The University of Texas Medical Branch Stephanie Joe, MD, The University of Illinois - Chicago
Committee Chairs
Program and Awards Charlotte Hughes, MD, Naval Hospital at Camp Pendleton
Mentorship and Leadership LaKeisha Henry, MD, Ear, Nose and Throat Consultants of Nevada
Research and Survey Katie Phillips, MD, University of Cincinnati
Communications Noor Ali, MD
Endowment Kelly Malloy, MD, University of Michigan
AAO-HNS WIO Section Staff Liaison Pamela Gilbert, Sr. Manager, Member Networks and Engagement
Together, we're committed to ensuring WIO continues to evolve, expand, and empower women in otolaryngology.
This March 8, as we mark both WIO Day and International Women's Day, we celebrate how far we've come—and we commit to the work ahead. The strength of WIO lies not in any single achievement but in the collective dedication of members who believe in a more equitable, innovative, and excellent specialty.
The AAO-HNSF 2025 Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO WIO General Assembly.
