Background
The Board of Governors (BOG) was established in 1982 as a grassroots member network within the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery.
The BOG is made up of local, state, regional, and national otolaryngology-head and neck surgery societies from around the United States and Canada.
Members within this grassroots network are primarily community practitioners in the field of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery.
What Purpose Does the BOG Serve?
The BOG functions as an advisory body for the grassroots to the Board of Directors in order to:
- Act as an avenue of communication between the Board of Directors and the local, state, regional, and national otolaryngology-head and neck surgery organizations and residents
- Make recommendations regarding the programs and policies of the AAO-HNS
- Seek out and involve practitioners of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery in academic, social, economic, and political issues relative to otolaryngology-head and neck surgery in the U.S.
- Strengthen the AAO-HNS and otolaryngology societies
- Support the general good of patients, the specialty, and the medical profession
What is the Role of the BOG?
The BOG plays a vital role in the Academy and within the specialty to:
- Identify issues affecting the specialty
- Research and recommend solutions
- Advocate for action and member involvement
2025-2026 BOG Officers
- BOG Chair: Stephen P. Cragle, MD
- BOG Immediate Past Chair: Cristina Baldassari, MD
- BOG Chair-Elect: Eileen M. Raynor
- BOG Secretary: John Werning, MD
- BOG Member-At-Large: Scott Elledge, MD
- BOG GOSE Chair: Katherine Kavanagh, MD
- BOG Leg Affairs Chair: Dole Baker, MD
- BOG SEGR Chair: Malaika Witter Hewitt, MD
- BOG GOSE Vice-Chair: Evelyn Kalyoussef, MD
- BOG Leg Affairs Vice-Chair: Michelle Liu, MD
- BOG SEGR Vice-Chair: Yolanda Troublefield, MD, JD
- BOG Nominating Committee: Christina Baldassari, MD (Chair), Brandon Baird, MD, and Scott Fortune, MD
Structure of the BOG
- Bylaws
- Committees
- BOG Societies and Representatives
