American Head & Neck Society

Advancing Education, Research, and Quality of Care for the Head and Neck oncology patient.

Published on by AHNS Webmaster

Message from the AHNS President

Dear AHNS Members,

I trust this message finds you well. It is with great humility and honor that I assume the role of President of the American Head and Neck Society (AHNS). As I step into this position, I am truly grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the advancement of head and neck surgery alongside the remarkable individuals that make up our membership.

First and foremost, I wish to extend my heartfelt gratitude to my predecessor, Dr. Brian Burkey. His leadership, dedication, and unwavering commitment to the AHNS have paved the way for our society’s continued success. I am truly honored to follow in his, as well as Executive Committee’s, footsteps and build upon the foundation they have laid.

I would also like to take a moment to congratulate Dr. Eben Rosenthal and Dr. Dan Deschler for orchestrating a resounding success with the 11th AHNS International Conference on Head and Neck Cancer held last month in Montreal. Their exemplary efforts and the enthusiasm of all who participated have showcased the incredible potential of our collaborative endeavors.

Looking ahead, I am thrilled to share the exciting news about our upcoming 2024 Annual Meeting at COSM in Chicago, May 15-16. Under the leadership of Program Chair Dr. Patrick Ha, along with Co-Chairs Dr. Nicole Schmitt and Dr. Sid Puram, we anticipate another extraordinary scientific meeting that will further elevate our field and foster meaningful connections among our members.

As we embark on this journey together, I am keenly focused on our goals for the upcoming year. I am pleased to announce the formation of several task forces that will drive our efforts forward. These initiatives will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the AHNS. Key areas we will be focusing on include education and training, publishing, strengthening our collaboration with other surgical specialties and broadening our membership with non-surgeons. All of these initiatives will help further influence the reason we all entered into this field…to improve patient care.

As we embark on these ambitious endeavors, I invite your active participation, innovative ideas, and dedicated engagement. The journey ahead is both challenging and exciting, and I am confident that together, we will create a lasting impact on the field of head and neck surgery. Enjoy the rest of your summer!

With great enthusiasm and anticipation for the year ahead,

Robert Ferris, MD, PhD
AHNS President

Published on by AHNS Webmaster

The American Head and Neck Society Dr. Eddie Méndez Fellowship Award is Now Open!

The AHNS Foundation and the AHNS Diversity Service are excited to announce the AHNS Dr. Eddie Méndez Research Fellowship Award!

Thanks to the very generous contributions of the American Head and Neck Society (AHNS) members and supporters, AHNS Research and Education Foundation, is pleased to announce the inaugural Dr. Eddie Mendez Fellowship Award.

The AHNS is honoring our colleague, friend, the late Dr. Eduardo “Eddie” Méndez, a prominent physician-scientist who earned his MD with honors from the University of Maryland in 1999. He completed an Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery residency training program at the University of Washington followed by his Advanced Head and Neck Surgical Oncology and Microvascular Reconstructive fellowship training at the University of Washington. In 2006 he became faculty at the University of Washington. Eddie became the director of the Translational Research Program at the affiliated Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. He led an NIH-funded laboratory examining the genetic expression of oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma in effort to identify novel treatment pathways.

Dr. Mendez was passionate about research and training the next generation of head and neck surgeon-scientists. Therefore, this award is intended to expose an under-represented minority medical student to the field of Head and Neck Oncologic Surgery. Students with an interest in exposure to head and neck oncologic research are encouraged to apply. To round out the experience, clinical exposure and direct patient care will be a component of this year long research experience. Currently, less than 5% of practicing Otolaryngologists identify as minority providers. The AHNS recognizes the importance of increasing diversity, equity and inclusion in our surgical subspecialty to achieve the best outcomes for all head and neck cancer patients we serve.

The Dr. Eddie Mendez Fellowship awardee will receive $10,000. The recipient is expected to work with their research mentor to create a budget related to their proposed research. It is expected that a portion of the budget be used for travel expenses to the AHNS annual meeting. The remaining funds may be used at the discretion of the recipient and mentor.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Completion of at least M2 year prior to fellowship year (June 2024
  • Identify as an underrepresented in the scientific workforce based on January 2021 definitions, including:
    • individuals from racial/ethnic groups: African American/Black, Hispanic/Latin Origin, Asian Pacific Islander, American Indian
    • Individuals who are first generation college graduates
  • Medical School Dean’s approval
    • Letter of Good Standing, and
    • approval for 1 year gap during medical school to undertake this research fellowship

 Research Expectations:

  • Awardees are expected to submit an abstract for oral presentation at the AHNS annual meeting at COSM. Recipients who are unable to prepare an abstract for COSM must notify the AHNS office.
  • In addition, the AHNS Dr. Eddie Méndez Fellowship in Head and Neck Oncologic Surgery awardee will have the opportunity to present their research during the AHNS Awards Ceremony which takes place during COSM 2025 April 9-13, 2025, at the Hyatt Regency New Orleans, New Orleans, Louisiana.
  • Any published manuscript supported by the AHNS Dr. Eddie Méndez Fellowship in Head and Neck Oncologic Surgery award should cite the AHNS Research & Education Foundation as a funding source.

Apply Here!

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Register Now for the 2023 AHNS/AAO Head & Neck Surgery Symposium for Residents & Fellows

The American Head and Neck Society in conjunction with the American Academy of Otolaryngology will offer its annual head & neck surgery symposium for residents and fellows. This day-long symposium takes place on Saturday, September 30, 2023 prior to the opening of the AAO-HNSF Annual Meeting & OTO Expo taking place in Nashville, Tennessee.

Join us for a day of informative lectures on head and neck surgical procedures and treatments, presented by leading head and neck surgeons.

This an in-person event for residents and fellows.
Lunch and refreshments will be provided.
Cost: $25

An RSVP is required

Register for the Symposium

Saturday, September 30, 2022
11:30am – 5:30pm (with reception to follow)
at the Omni Nashville Hotel
250 Rep. John Lewis S- Legends Ballroom E/F

 

Published on by AHNS Webmaster

Register Now for the 2023 AHNS/AAO Head & Neck Surgery Symposium for Residents & Fellows

The American Head and Neck Society in conjunction with the American Academy of Otolaryngology will offer its annual head & neck surgery symposium for residents and fellows. This day-long symposium takes place on Saturday, September 30, 2023 prior to the opening of the AAO-HNSF Annual Meeting & OTO Expo taking place in Nashville, Tennessee.

Join us for a day of informative lectures on head and neck surgical procedures and treatments, presented by leading head and neck surgeons.

This an in-person event for residents and fellows.
Lunch and refreshments will be provided.
Cost: $25

An RSVP is required

Register for the Symposium

Saturday, September 30, 2023
11:30am – 5:30pm (with reception to follow)
at the Omni Nashville Hotel
250 Rep. John Lewis S- Legends Ballroom E/F

 

Published on by AHNS Webmaster

AHNS Today 7:00 PM EST Virtual Education Series: “HPV Liquid Biopsies: Ethical and Practical Considerations”


AHNS Virtual Education Series

Presented by the AHNS Mucosal Malignancy Section

“HPV Liquid Biopsies: Ethical and Practical Considerations”

July 26, 2023 at 7:00 PM Eastern Time

Learning Objectives:
Discuss the limitations of existing HPV liquid biopsy tests and how these can confound interpretation.
Understand the complex ethical dilemmas which can arise from utilizing new diagnostic assays without standardized approaches.
Articulate the impact of false negative and false positive test results on patient care and well-being.

Moderators:
Andrew G. Shuman, MD FACS – University of Michigan Medical School
Daniel Faden, MD, FACS – Mass Eye and Ear/Mass General Hospital – Broad Institute

Panelists:
David Routman, MD – Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
Chiara Mannelli, PhD – Italian National Institute of Health
Carole Fakhry, MD, MPH – Johns Hopkins Head and Neck Cancer Center

One-hour session is free to all registrants!

REGISTER NOW