Having a good mentor is important to every phase of a physician’s career but perhaps never more critical than in the earliest years out of training. The YPS Model Mentor Award recognizes the key role that expert mentorship plays in a young physician’s success.
Any YPS member may nominate one of their mentors for this award by submitting a narrative vignette that illustrates an effective and nurturing mentorship by this physician.
Requirements:
- The nominees must be AAO-HNS members in good standing
- The nomination packet requires full contact information for both the nominee and the nominating YPS member, as well as a nominating paragraph of up to 325 words
- The YPS Governing Council will select the Model Mentor Award winners to be recognized during the YPS General Assembly at the AAO-HNSF Annual Meeting & OTO Experience and will consider the winning vignettes for submission to Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery
2025 YPS Model Mentor Award
This year’s Young Physicians Section (YPS) Model Mentor awardee is Elizabeth Willingham, MD. She is an associate professor of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery at the Emory University School of Medicine. She is chief of the Section on Inpatient Otolaryngology at Emory University Hospital.
Dr. Willingham received her medical degree at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and went on to complete a surgical internship and residency in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery at Baylor College of Medicine. Upon graduation, she worked in Boston at the Cambridge Health Alliance before settling in Atlanta, GA. She was recognized by the Emory University School of Medicine with the Hidden Gem Award in 2016 for her work in establishing the inpatient otolaryngology consult service.
As one of the first otolaryngology hospitalists nationwide, Dr. Willingham has spoken nationally and published on the topic while paving the way for other otolaryngology hospitalists to gain the knowledge and confidence they need to succeed in their position. Many are often creating a new model of delivering otolaryngology medical and surgical care for acutely ill patients within their hospitals.
Colleagues and younger otolaryngologists have noted Dr. Willingham’s willingness to create a safe space to collaborate and share positive as well as challenging aspects of the hospitalist’s job and advise future otolaryngologists on how to navigate these challenges. “She serves as a central supporter for all [ENT] hospitalists in the monthly meetings I host, and her passion for growing our field is contagious,” one mentee said. “She leaves an indelible impact on all the healthcare team members she works with through her presence and high-impact work.”
Recipients of the YPS Model Mentor Award include:
- Rod P. Rezaee, MD (2024)
- Maurits S. Boon, MD (2023)
- Philomena M. Behar, MD (2022)
- John H. Krouse, MD, PhD, MBA (2021)
- Lawrence M. Simon, MD (2020)
- Samantha Anne, MD
- Stacey L. Ishman, MD, MPH
- Giancarlo F. Zuliani, MD
- James D. Sidman, MD
- J. Regan Thomas, MD
- Bill Lydiatt, MD
- Ellis M. Arjmand, MD, PhD
We thank you for your contribution to the future of the specialty.
