Staff Profile: Uzair Khan, AAO-HNS Advocacy Team Intern
“Since starting my internship, I have learned so much about the legislative process and have been able to contribute to policy work in many different areas.”
This month, we spoke with Uzair Khan, AAO-HNS Advocacy Team Intern. Uzair is a third-year MD/MPH candidate at Indiana University who has been helping the Academy review and consolidate position statements, among other advocacy-related duties.
How long have you been at the Academy?
I started working at the Academy in September 2025 as part of an internship requirement for my Master of Public Health (MPH) degree, but I enjoyed the work so much that I will continue with the team until the start of my fourth year in May 2026.
Uzair and the AAO-HNS Advocacy team celebrating staff Halloween 2025.
As an intern with the Advocacy team, my main responsibilities have been helping to review and consolidate position statements, as well as conducting background research and developing strategies for implementing congenital CMV (cCMV) screening at the state level.
Tell us about one of your most memorable moments working for the Academy.
One of my most memorable moments with the Academy so far was presenting a plan for implementing cCMV at the state level! It was so rewarding to see the hard work and research I had devoted come together into a concrete plan for the future of cCMV screening. I'm so excited to see the process of this plan becoming law in the coming legislative sessions.
Uzair and his wife on the field at Lucas Oil Stadium during the President's Reception at the AAO-HNSF 2025 Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO.
After being introduced to health policy in college, I became deeply motivated by the idea that policy can impact the health of countless people. This interest deepened during medical school, where I saw barriers to effective care for both providers and patients, often due to existing policies. Since starting my internship, I have learned a great deal about the legislative process and have contributed to policy work across many areas. I hope to use the skills I've developed during my time with the Academy to continue advocating for patients and the specialty through policy initiatives.
What is something readers might be surprised to know about you?
I was captain of my Ultimate Frisbee team in college!
Coffee or tea?
I've recently converted from a committed coffee hater to the point where my favorite part of my morning is making myself an iced latte!
