Apply Now for the AAO-HNSF Guidelines Leadership Scholars Program

Margo K. McKenna, MD; Seth R. Schwartz, MD, MPH; Mathieu Bergeron, BPharm, MD; Alexander Chern, MD; Matthew Crowson, MD, MPA, MASc, MBI; Corrina Levine, MD, MPH; and Zarah Akrami, MPH

The Guidelines Leadership Scholars Program, previously known as the Cochrane Scholars Program, is designed to prepare and support scholars as skilled contributors to AAO-HNSF Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs) or Expert Consensus Statements (ECSs) as part of the Academy’s guideline development process. Scholars receive a travel grant to attend the Guidelines International Network’s (GIN) Annual Conference and receive personalized feedback on completing systematic reviews. In return, grant recipients agree to initiate and submit a systematic review to Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery.

As shared last August, the AAO-HNSF is committed to developing and sharing evidence-based CPGs in otolaryngology. This unique learning opportunity, through the Guidelines Leadership Scholars Program, equips scholars with essential skills to strengthen their research capabilities, enabling rigorous studies that can have a positive impact on patient care for individuals with otolaryngic conditions and diseases.

Margo K. McKenna, MDAccording to Guideline Task Force (GTF) Chair, Margo K. McKenna, MD, “This year, we expanded our [former] Cochrane Scholars Program to include four scholars, three of whom were able to travel with guideline methodologists and AAO-HNSF staff to the 2025 GIN Annual Conference in Geneva, Switzerland, last September 16-19, 2025.” There, the scholars interacted with experts throughout the world to learn more about evidence-based medicine, living guidelines, and how to publicly defend science and protect scientific independence.

(left to right): Dr. Alexander Chern, Dr. Corinna Levine, Dr. Matheiu Bergeron; Leaders: Dr. Seth Schwartz, Dr. Margo McKenna, and Dr. Matthew Bush.

The four exceptional scholars selected for the 2025 program were:

Mathieu Bergeron, BPharm, MD, University of Montreal / Sainte-Justine Hospital

Alexander Chern, MD, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania

Matthew Crowson, MD, MPA, MASc, MBI, Massachusetts Eye & Ear, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital

Corrina Levine, MD, MPH, University of Miami

Reflections from the 2025 Scholars

Mathieu Bergeron, BPharm, MD“Attending the GIN 2025 Annual Meeting as a scholar was an amazing opportunity for learning, reflection, and connection,” said Dr. Bergeron. “The conference allowed me to see how guideline development and evidence synthesis are approached around the world, from plenary sessions on methodology to practical discussions about implementation and equity in real-world settings. I especially valued the chance to exchange ideas with colleagues at different stages of their careers and with experts who have been shaping evidence-based practice for decades. Meeting specialists in epidemiology, guideline methodology, and implementation science was particularly impactful, as their perspectives helped me think more critically about study design, bias, and the translation of evidence into practice.”

Alexander Chern, MD“The GIN 2025 Annual Meeting further broadened my perspective by highlighting how evidence synthesis is approached worldwide,” reflected Dr. Chern. “A highlight of the experience was the workshop where we discussed our systematic review proposals—an engaging and collaborative session that allowed me to refine my project and learn from the insights shared about my fellow scholars’ work. Gaining exposure to international perspectives on guideline development has strengthened my research approach and commitment to contributing to evidence-informed practice and guideline development in our specialty.”

Matthew Crowson, MD, MPA, MASc, MBIDr. Crowson said, “The bar for rigorous evidence has risen. Our field is entering a new era in which trust in clinical recommendations depends on transparent methods, reproducible analyses, and disciplined synthesis. Technologies that accelerate research are advancing at an unfathomable pace, and the expectations placed on us as clinicians and researchers are shifting just as quickly. High-quality systematic reviews are no longer optional; they are essential to keep otolaryngology-head and neck surgery care accurate, current, and worthy of our patients’ confidence.”

Corrina Levine, MD, MPH“My exceptional experience with the Adult Neck Mass CPG and the Surgical Management of Chronic Rhinosinusitis CPG has ignited a profound interest in evidence-based medicine and its translation into both research and clinical practice,” said Dr. Levine. “This scholarship has provided an invaluable opportunity to build upon my existing skills and has allowed me to learn from GIN and the CPG leadership. Being a part of this esteemed program has not only reinforced my role as a clinician but also enhanced my ability to translate evidence-based medicine into clinical practice effectively. I am confident that this experience will enable me to contribute significantly to the Academy's crucial efforts in developing methodologically sound CPGs.”

Applications for 2026 Are Open

Past GTF leader and methodologist Dr. Seth Schwartz presenting on completing systematic reviews.Past GTF chair and current methodologist Seth R. Schwartz, MD, MPH, said, “The Guidelines Leadership Scholars Program is an exciting opportunity to engage with leaders in guideline development for the Academy, foster skills in advanced systematic reviews, and learn more about guideline development through an international community of evidence-based scholars and guideline developers.”

The Guidelines Leadership Scholars Program is a first step toward leadership in future CPGs and ECSs and serves as a pipeline for methodologists-in-training to the GTF. Applications for 2026 are open from March 1 through April 1, 2026. Selected scholars will have the opportunity to attend the GIN 2026 Annual Conference taking place September 15-18, 2026, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Don’t miss your opportunity to engage with international experts and hone your skills in evidence-based practice and systematic review methodology.

Apply today!