ALEXANDRIA, VA – Carol R. Bradford, MD, MS, became the new President of the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) and its Foundation on Wednesday, September 16, 2020. Elected by AAO-HNS members, Dr. Bradford will serve a one-year term leading the Academy’s nearly 12,000 members who specialize in the treatment of the ears, nose, throat, and related structures of the head and neck.
“I am honored and privileged to serve as the President of the AAO-HNS/F during these truly unprecedented times,” says Dr. Bradford. “Leadership truly matters, and I look forward to partnering with our engaged members and our dedicated leaders and staff to allow us to realize our vision to be the global leader in optimizing quality ear, nose, and throat patient care.”
Dr. Bradford is the executive vice dean for academic affairs (EVDAA) for the University of Michigan (U-M) Medical School, chief academic officer for Michigan Medicine, and a professor of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery at U-M. On October 1, she will become dean of The Ohio State University College of Medicine and the vice president for health sciences at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.
Dr. Bradford’s academic career spans nearly 30 years. In 2009, she was promoted to chair of the U-M Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and served in that position until she was appointed to EVDAA in 2016. From 2012 to 2018, she held the Charles J. Krause, MD, Collegiate Professorship in Otolaryngology. She specializes in head and neck cancer surgery, and her research focuses on identifying and evaluating biomarkers that can predict outcomes. In addition, Dr. Bradford pioneered the use of sentinel lymph node biopsy as a safe and reliable tool to stage patients with melanoma of the head and neck. She has published nearly 300 peer-reviewed articles and contributed to more than 20 book chapters.
Active in many of the specialty’s societies, Dr. Bradford has taken on a range of leadership roles throughout her career. In 2012, she was elected as the first woman president of the American Head and Neck Society, and she served as president of the Society of University Otolaryngologists Head & Neck Surgeons in 2017. She also served on the AAO-HNS/F Boards of Directors from 2014 to 2018. Dr. Bradford has been recognized for her leadership and service, receiving the AAO-HNS Distinguished Service Award, the Clinical Excellence Award from Castle Connolly National Physician of the Year Awards, the Distinguished Service Award from the American Head and Neck Society, and the Women in Otolaryngology Helen F. Krause Memorial Trailblazer Award.
Dr. Bradford earned her medical degree at U-M and went on to complete a general surgery internship at Saint Joseph Mercy Hospital in Michigan. Afterward, Dr. Bradford took part in a research fellowship at U-M and subsequently completed her otolaryngology-head and neck surgery residency there.
About the AAO-HNS/F
The American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) represents approximately 12,000 specialists worldwide who treat the ear, nose, throat, and related structures of the head and neck. The AAO-HNS Foundation works to advance the art, science, and ethical practice of otolaryngology–head and neck surgery through education, research, and lifelong learning.
