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 2025 nomination cycle is now closed. Award recipients will be announced in June 2025.
2024 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 Hussain Abdulrahman Al Rand, MD. Currently, he is assistant undersecretary of Public Health Sector at the Ministry of Health and Prevention for the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Formerly, he was director of Medical Affairs and head of the ENT department at Dubai Hospital, Dubai Health Authority (DHA). Prior to that, he managed various positions in the DHA as an otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeon and consultant.
Colleagues refer to Dr. Al Rand as, “An outstanding leader and innovative man of service.” He was instrumental in launching the Help Me Hear Initiative designed to assist UAE children with hearing loss using cochlear implants at a time when the region had few cochlear implant centers. He also established the first hearing and balance clinic in the UAE, and his achievements have advanced otolaryngology throughout the Gulf region, a move that has attracted numerous international patients.
Dr. Al Rand organizes and executes annual temporal bone dissection courses and endoscopic sinus surgery courses with cadaver dissection. Due to the scarcity of similar opportunities in the area, these courses help otolaryngologists throughout the Middle East advance their careers as well as the care they provide to patients.
In addition, Dr. Al Rand has worked with the World Health Organization on behalf of the UAE to promote healthy lifestyles and, specifically, combat childhood obesity. He was selected by the WHO as a special adviser to the organization’s Global Coordinating Mechanism on the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases.
The AAO-HNSF Nikhil J. Bhatt, MD International Public Service Award honors a non-U.S. otolaryngologist–head and neck surgeon whose achievements have advanced the specialty.
Previous Recipients:
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
