James Netterville, M.D., professor of Otolaryngology and director of the Head and Neck Surgical Oncology Service, has been elected president of the American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) and its foundation for the 2012-13 term. He assumed his position in September during the annual meeting in Washington, D.C.
The AAO-HNS, one of the oldest medical associations in the nation, represents nearly 12,000 physicians and allied health professionals specializing in the treatment of the ears, nose, throat and structures of the head and neck.
“I am deeply honored by the opportunity to serve as president of this academy,” said Netterville, who holds the Mark C. Smith Chair in Head and Neck Surgery and serves as associate director of the Bill Wilkerson Center for Otolaryngology and Communication Sciences at VUMC.
“I am indebted to so many members who have invested their time and energy to create such a strong, vibrant organization. I am looking forward to giving back to the academy and the foundation as we continue empowering otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeons to deliver the best patient care.”
Netterville credited Vanderbilt’s fast growing and highly-ranked Department of Otolaryngology for his new national leadership post. The VUMC Ear, Nose and Throat group has steadily climbed in U.S. News & World Report magazine’s annual medical specialty rankings — jumping from 14th in previous years to 7th place this year.
The department, founded in 1987 with just three clinicians (including Netterville) and a researcher, has enjoyed explosive growth and now has nearly 10 times the number of faculty members.
“It is the remarkable professionals like James Netterville who have enhanced our reputation for excellence and helped us build one of the best programs in the world,” said Roland (Ron) Eavey, M.D., director of the Vanderbilt Bill Wilkerson Center for Otolaryngology and Communication Sciences and chairman of the Department of Otolaryngology.