About the Distinguished Award for Humanitarian Service
The Distinguished Award for Humanitarian Service recognizes an Academy member who is widely known for a consistent, stable character distinguished by honesty, zeal for truth, integrity, love for and devotion to humanity, and a self-giving spirit.
The awardee is well known for professional excellence and has demonstrated professional dedication by the giving of professional skills freely, and without desire for personal gain or aggrandizement, to those in this world who cannot otherwise, physically and financially, receive them.
Nominate your distinguished colleagues for an award now through March 9, 2026.
2025 Distinguished Award for Humanitarian Service Recipient
This year’s recipient of the Distinguished Award for Humanitarian Service is James P. Murphy, MD. After a robust and successful career with the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, where he served as an assistant clinical professor in the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Dr. Murphy moved to Ghana and established the Department of Ear, Nose and Throat at Tamale Teaching Hospital. For more than 15 years, he dedicated his life to improving patient care in Ghana—serving patients who otherwise would not have access to otolaryngology and head and neck surgery services and training nurses, medical students, and young physicians in the specialty.
Tamale is the fourth largest city in the country, and the Tamale Teaching Hospital’s Department of Ear, Nose and Throat is the only one of its kind in northern Ghana, providing services for a population of over two million. While there are other otolaryngology facilities hundreds of miles away, most of the patients who Dr. Murphy served are unable to travel that far.
Dr. Murphy is an active member of the AAO-HNSF Humanitarian Efforts Committee. He continues to volunteer his time and talents in support of Ghanaians by advocating for medical equipment and resources. He is passionate about recruiting other physicians interested in humanitarian work to consider the benefits of being on-site full-time to provide medical help in under-resourced communities. Dr. Murphy has also supported residents for years by paying for their Academy dues and educational opportunities. His experience, dedication, and passion for service are life-saving and inspiring.
Previous Recipients:
- 2024: Daniel D. Megler, MD
- 2023: Robert J. Sinard, MD
- 2022: Edward E. Dodson, MD
- 2021: Peter J. Koltai, MD
- 2020: Merry E. Sebelik, MD
- 2019: Glenn C. Isaacson, MD
- 2018: Dr. Susan R. Cordes, MD
- 2017: Bruce H. Campbell, MD, FACS
- 2016: Wayne M. Koch, MD
- 2015: H. Dennis Snyder, MD, FACS
- 2014: John Thomas Roland, Jr., MD, FACS
- 2013: James E. Saunders, MD
- 2012: John M. Hodges, MD, FACS
- 2011: Anna H. Messner, MD
- 2010: Peter S. Roland, MD
- 2009: Richard Wagner, MD
- 2008: James D. Smith, MD
- 2007: Drew M. Horlbeck, MD
- 2006: Craig P. Hedges, MD
- 2005: Brent A. Senior, MD
- 2004: James L. Netterville, MD
- 2003: Byron James Bailey Jr., MD
- 2002: David S. Parsons, MD
- 2001: Michael J. McGee, MD
- 2000: Sylvan E. Stool, MD
- 1999: Juan J. Garro, MD
- 1998: Daniel M. Martinez, MD
- 1997: No award
- 1996: Salyaveth Lekagul, MD and Soontorn Antarasena, MD
- 1995: Hans von Leden, MD
- 1994: Jack V. D. Hough, MD
- 1993: Samuel O. Massey Jr., MD
- 1992: M. Coyle Shea Jr., MD
- 1991: M. C. Culbertson Jr. MD
- 1990: Col. Joan Zajtchuk, MD
