The AAO-HNS Foundation supports otolaryngologists around the world who demonstrate a unique commitment to the specialty as part of our continued effort to foster a global otolaryngology community.
The AAO-HNSF Nikhil J. Bhatt, MD International Public Service Award honors a non-U.S. otolaryngologist—head and neck surgeons whose achievements have advanced the specialty. The Award is in fulfillment of the AAO-HNSF’s aim to foster a global otolaryngology community, and made possible through the generosity of Nikhil J. Bhatt, MD, a longtime advocate of AAO-HNSF international affairs.
2025 Nikhil J. Bhatt, MD International Public Service Award
This year’s recipient of the AAO-HNSF Nikhil J. Bhatt, MD International Public Service Award is Rosalinda Pieruzzini, MD. She is a general otolaryngologist with an interest in rhinology and especially neurorhinology, focusing on the study of smell and taste disorders and neurodegenerative diseases.
Dr. Pieruzzini completed an otorhinolaryngology residency at the Carlos Arvelo Military Hospital (Hospital Militar Dr. Carlos Arvelo) in Caracas, Venezuela, a fellowship in otology and neurotology at the García-Ibáñez Otology Institute in Barcelona, Spain, and a fellowship in skull base and endoscopic surgery at the Civil Hospital of Legnano. Additionally, she trained in cell cultures of mucosal stem cells, human olfactory, and cell regeneration at the Cell Therapy and Experimental Medicine Unit of the Venezuelan Institute for Scientific Research.
She became a professor in rhinology and neuroanatomy at the Carlos Arvelo Military Hospital and was the director of the otorhinolaryngology residency for seven years, where she transformed the academic program from a hospital care residency to a university postgraduate degree program and established the hospital’s neurorhinology unit. Dr. Pieruzzini also created a smell and taste test for children and adults that was used for the widespread diagnosis of patients with smell disorders associated with COVID-19 in Venezuela, earning a national award from the Venezuelan Congress of Otorhinolaryngology.
Dr. Pieruzzini is the author of more than ten international publications and 15 national publications in scientific journals and books. She has received more than 20 academic awards for national and international presentations of scientific works in relation to the specialty and has taught more than 40 national and international courses in countries including South Korea, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, Paraguay, Chile, Colombia, and the Dominican Republic.
Previous Recipients:
2024: Hussain Abdulrahman Al Rand, MD | United Arab Emirates (UAE).
2023: Alfredo Q.Y. Pontejos, Jr., MD | Philippines
2022: Emmanuel D. Kitcher, MBChB, FRCS, FWACS, FGCPS | Ghana
2021: Wakisa Mulwafu, MD, PhD
2020: M. Shahed Quraishi, MD | United Kingdom
2019: Johan J. Fagan, MD | South Africa
2018: Tania M. Sih, MD | Brazil
2017: Sheng-Po Hao, MD | Taiwan
2016: Lokman Saim, MD | Malaysia
