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.
The 2023 nomination process will be open January 4 – March 15. Submit your nomination today!
2022 Nikhil J. Bhatt, MD International Public Service Award
This year’s awardee for the Nikhil J. Bhatt, MD International Public Service Award is Emmanuel D. Kitcher, MBChB, FRCS, FWACS, FGCPS, who, after completing his training in otolaryngology in the UK, returned to his native country of Ghana and established an ENT department at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra, the capital of Ghana. According to a colleague, Dr. Kitcher’s perseverance, dedication, and devotion to his department as well as the entire hospital community are legendary as he lived on campus and was available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for more than two decades.
Currently an otolaryngologist consultant at Korle-Bu, he is also an associate professor of otolaryngology at the University of Ghana Medical School in Accra. When not lecturing in the medical school, Dr. Kitcher can be seen on ward rounds teaching medical students, residents, and consultant colleagues. He displays deep compassion and consideration for patients of all ages.
Some of Dr. Kitcher’s major achievements include establishing an ultramodern audiology center at Korle-Bu, acquiring and developing space to house 10 well-furnished outpatient consulting rooms, starting a master of science (MS) degree program in audiology and speech and language therapy at the University of Ghana, supporting otolaryngology nursing and theatre nursing training programs, providing and refurbishing operating theatre equipment, and much more.
To date, Dr. Kitcher has mentored more than 20 otolaryngology specialist surgeons and has made it his objective to promote otolaryngology ancillary services by training nurse specialists, perioperative nurses, audiologists, and speech and language therapists. Graduates of his MS program are now supporting otolaryngology-head and neck treatment and surgery throughout Ghana.
Previous Recipients:
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
