Merati, Cummings, Inducted into AAO-HNS Hall of Distinction

Two of our faculty were inducted into the AAOHNS Hall of Distinction for a life of service and contribution and advancement of the field of otolaryngology overall: Charlie Cummings, who was chair from 1978-1990, and Al Merati, current Professor and Chief of Laryngology. The induction ceremony, held at the recent meeting in Nashville, featured a panel of inductees discussing the future of otolaryngology and spotlighting some of our posthumous awards as well.

In addition to creating and leading one of the largest and best-known laryngology centers in the world right here at UW, Dr. Merati has been a substantial force across many areas in our field. In addition to serving as our AAOHNS President in 2018-9, he has served as Triological Society Vice President, ABEA President, as a senior examiner for the ABOHNS, and now sits on the ALA council.

Dr. Merati has helped bridge the gaps in understanding between traditional private practice and academic communities, and he continues to do so in his past-president roles for the AAOHNS, serving as liaison and voice for our student section. At the recent meeting, he presented a discussion on "Crucial Conversations - Examining the relationship between otolaryngology training and our field as a whole: How are we doing?"

Within laryngology, Dr. Merati has been a key mover to demystify laryngology and formalize training in our field. He has over 135 peer reviewed publications and also was lead editor for the first 'textbook' in the field - the aptly named "Textbook of Laryngology" in 2007. He served as a co-founder of the Laryngology Education Foundation, which is responsible for the largest meeting of the year in this field (Fall Voice) and the largest on-line community in the field. Dr. Merati has always advocated community building and striving for excellence - pushing for new voices, for inclusion, and always pushing for change.

Read the Academy's write-up about Dr. Merati and all the other inductees. And for a remarkable look-back at otolaryngology history, visit the Previous Hall of Distinction Inductees to learn about the "Pioneers" (posthumous) and "Living Legend" contributors.