GUEST OF HONOR ADDRESS

GERALD B. HEALY, MD

I am deeply honored to be chosen by Dr Pillsbury as his Guest of Honor for the 2001 meeting of the American Laryngological Association. This venerable organization and its membership have made immense contributions to the treatment of disorders of the human larynx since its inception in 1878.

Rick Pillsbury, as President of this wonderful organization, carries on a tradition of leadership dating back to our first president, Louis Elsberg. Rick was born in Baltimore, Maryland, and received his undergraduate education at George Washington University. He graduated from the George Washington University School of Medicine in 1972 and completed his training in surgery and otolaryngology at the University of North Carolina. He stands today as the Thomas J. Dart Distinguished Professor of Surgery at that same institution.

Rick's career in academic medicine has spanned more than 20 years. During that time, Rick has dedicated himself to the service of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery in numerous ways. He has served as President of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and has also served as its Coordinator for Continuing Education. Currently, he is the Examination Chairman of the American Board of Otolaryngology, and in this capacity, I have had the pleasure of working closely with him in the development of our certification process.

In addition to serving on the editorial boards of numerous journals, Rick has found time to conduct funded research in numerous areas of head and neck surgery and medicine. He has also authored more than 140 manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals, as well as 35 book chapters and numerous abstracts.

Rick's tireless dedication to students and residents is well recognized, both nationally and internationally, by his colleagues. In addition, his dedication to patient care serves as a role model for all of those who have had the opportunity to train in his department. He has always been a strong advocate for students and residents.

In his spare time, he does occasionally hit the small white ball in an extremely effective manner. In fact, I personally witnessed his driving a golf ball in excess of 400 yards. He's a good man to have on your team.

It is a wonderful pleasure for Anne and me to be here to celebrate Rick's presidency of this venerable organization. He is a worthy successor of the great individuals who have served as our President: individuals such as Solis-Cohen, Knight, de Roaldes, Newcomb, Mosher, Jackson, Lierle, Holinger, Ogura, Kirchner, and Tucker.

This was the high point of my career, and Rick, I know it is certainly the high point of yours.

Again, many thanks and best wishes to you and Sally and your three wonderful sons.