International Advisory Board (IAB)

IAB 2022

The IAB is made up of global otolaryngology—head and neck surgery societies from the Academy’s International Corresponding Societies (ICS) affiliated network.

CALL FOR NOMINEES –  2025 IAB Chair-Elect!

Application Submission Deadline: April 1, 2024

The AAO-HNS is calling for nominees for the 2025 Chair-Elect of the International Advisory Board (IAB). The appointment is for a 1-year term after which he/she shall become Chair of the IAB and serve a 1-year term.  The position presents an opportunity to build the international educational profile of the AAO-HNS.

Nominees must be international members of the AAO-HNS/F.  Candidates must have held membership for the past 3 consecutive years, have proven leadership qualities, be familiar with the strategic direction of the Academy, and be able to dedicate the necessary time to serve.  Candidates must either self-nominate or be nominated by a colleague and/or associate.

The election will be held at the AAO-HNSF 2024 Annual Meeting & OTO Experience in Miami, Florida, September 28-October 1, 2024.  The nominee receiving the majority of votes will be elected as the Chair-Elect. Learn more here.


About the International Advisory Board (IAB)

The IAB was established in 2016 as an international member network within the AAO-HNS Foundation. The IAB is made up of otolaryngologists around the world who belong to the ICS affiliated network, and serves as an important avenue of communication with the Board of Directors to help improve the programs and policies of the AAO-HNS/F. This governance structure “gives a voice” to the Academy’s global community of otolaryngologists – head and neck surgeons with the goal of fostering a global otolaryngology community to promote the highest standards in clinical care through collaboration to advance education, research, and communication.

In this spirit, the International Advisory Board (IAB) was established as a representative body designed to provide international members with an unprecedented platform to interact with the Academy.

What purpose does the IAB serve?

The IAB serves as a “voice” of international otolaryngologists—head and neck surgeons, comprising an Executive Committee and General Assembly.

What is the role of the IAB?

The IAB counsels Academy leadership on AAO-HNSF engagement with the global community of otolaryngologist—head and neck surgeons, opening up new opportunities for international communication and collaborative work.

Structure of the IAB: Officers, IAB Executive Committee, IAB General Assembly, and Staff

The IAB has two organs over which the Chair presides (in descending hierarchical order): The IAB Executive Committee and the General Assembly.

IAB Organization Chart

2023 -2024 IAB Officers

IAB Chair: Piotr Skarzynski, MD, PhD, MSc, Institute of Physiology and Pathology of Hearing, Medical University of Warsaw, Poland

IAB Chair-Elect: Titus Sunday Ibekwe, MBBS, FWACS, University of Abuja, Nigeria

IAB Executive Committee (EC)

The Executive Committee (EC) is the administrative arm of the IAB and serves the Chair primarily in an advisory capacity.

IAB Chair: Piotr Skarzynski, MD, PhD, MSc, Poland

IAB Chair-Elect: Titus Sunday Ibekwe, MBBS, FWACS, Nigeria

Immediate Past Chair: Sheng-Po Hao, MD, FACS, FIC, Taiwan

AAO-HNS/F Immediate Past President: Kathleen Yaremchuk, MD, MSA

AAO-HNS/F Executive Vice President and CEO: James Denneny III, MD

AAO-HNSF Coordinator for International Affairs: Mark Zafereo, MD

General Assembly

The primary organ of the IAB is the General Assembly. Its membership is divided into two categories:

  1. Delegates representing International Corresponding Societies (ICS)
    ICS are otolaryngology organizations around the world that have entered into an informal corresponding relationship with the Academy.
  2. 10 individual international members who serve as At-large Representatives for countries and/or regions not already robustly represented by ICS.

IAB Staff

Katie Stouffs Grimes, MA

Director, Global Affairs

Regulations of the International Advisory Board of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF)

At AAO-HNSF 2017 Annual Meeting & OTO Experience in Chicago, IL, IAB Delegates to the General Assembly voted to approve the IAB Regulations, which were subsequently approved by the AAO-HNSF Board of Directors.

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