Dr. Mark K. Wax received his undergraduate degree from the University of Toronto. Following his Otolaryngology training he pursued private practice in Canada. Desiring to get more advanced training, he left private practice and completed a fellowship in Advanced Head and Neck Oncologic Reconstructive Surgery at the University of Toronto. He then moved to the University of West Virginia where he established a busy Head and Neck Oncologic reconstructive practice. He continued to develop his interests in the field of Head and Neck Surgery. He was recruited to develop and lead the Head and Neck program at SUNY Buffalo. After a few years he moved to become a full professor and Director of the Microvascular Reconstructive Program at OHSU. While at Ohsu he developed the Microvascular and reconstructive fellowship program that has graduated 13 fellows, with the majority going on to academic careers
Dr. Wax has been intimately interested in academic medicine since re-entering the academic world. He is a well renowned educator, visiting more than 20 institutions as a visiting professor. He has published over 180 articles in the peer reviewed literature with contributions to more than 8 textbooks. Dr. Wax has focused his career on reconstructive surgery and developed many innovative reconstructive techniques while critically evaluating many aspects of reconstructive surgery.
His interest in the Head and Neck society goes back more than two decades. While always an active member of the society he joined the leadership by participating in the audit and finance committee. This was followed by a six year term as treasurer. This was an exciting time as it saw the expansion of the society and the formalization of many budgetary processes. He was elected Vice President in 2009 and is now the President of the American Head and Neck Society. Education and the advancement of Head and Neck Oncologic and Reconstructive Surgery remains his focus.
Dr Wax is married to Roberta Guild-Wax and has two wonderful children, Blair and Stephanie who both attend college in Washington D.C.