Explore UAB

The Department of Otolaryngology’s second annual Head and Neck Reconstruction Lecture and Cadaver Course was held on October 26-27 for UAB and University of Mississippi otolaryngology residents. The two-day course was led by Dr. Richard Hayden, Professor of the Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery at the Mayo Clinic. Attendees participated in a lecture on “Training in Pedicle Flaps and Small/Large Free Flap Reconstruction” and were later able to practice what they learned in a hands-on, instructed cadaver lab. Hayden is also the education director at the Center for Regenerative Medicine.

The 2018 George W. Barber, Jr. Lectureship in Otolaryngology was a favorite for many faculty, residents and staff.  The topic, "Inspiring Change from Within: What We Can Do to Address Biases for the Future of Healthcare," was presented by Dr. Dana Mara Thompson, Professor of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, The Lauren D. Holinger Chair in Pediatric Otolaryngology, Division Head, Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago.

Dr. Do-Yeon Cho, Assistant Professor and Director of Otolaryngology Research, UAB Department of Otolaryngology, speaks in detail about Dr. Thompson's lecture:

1. How will attendees be able to use lessons from Dr. Thompson's talk in their own careers, whether as students, educators, researchers or clinicians?
   Millennial education required a change from within myself and we need to continue to change and stay relevant. We aspire to cultivate an environment of diversity and inclusion, advance diversity (race, gender, religion, etc.) as a key to excellence and enhance the recruitment, career development, and retention of students, trainees and faculty.

2. How did the lecture speak to the present and future of the field of otolaryngology?
   Dr. Dana Thompson is a world renown pediatric otolaryngologist and calls for more diversity in medicine, which means more female and minority representation in the field of otolaryngology. Her grandfather, who graduated from Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tenn. in 1927, was the only African American general practitioner within a 100-mile radius of his office in Aberdeen, Miss. Dr. Thompson’s father was another Meharry Medical College alumni, an obstetrician in Kansas City, Kan. He told his daughter early on that she couldn’t live her dream of being Howard Cosell of Monday Night Football fame, but instead, he brought her to his office and to the hospital to make rounds with him to show her what she could be. He instilled into her psyche that she would have to work four times harder than everyone else just to be on the same playing field. African Americans make up only 2.3 percent of all otolaryngologist residents in training, well below percentages in other specialties and the overall population. “Continued success requires recognition of how one’s own biases get in the way of compassionate patient centric care,” Thompson said. Then our future will be brighter.

3. How did this talk relate to previous George Barber Lectures?
   Since becoming the director of research of our department, I have been inviting the most world-renown otolaryngologists or pioneer scientist in the field of otolaryngology who can motivate and inspire our department and community. This year was different from most as we focused more on our culture than surgical practices. Dr. Thompson left us all very inspired and wanting to do better. She was the first African American female intern in general surgery, the first African American female resident in Otolaryngology, the fourth African American resident in Otolaryngology and the fourth female resident in Otolaryngology. Her lecture, “Inspiring Change from Within: What We Can Do to Address Biases for the Future of Healthcare,” was as much a heartfelt explanation of her personal journey as it was a prism through which to view a future for our society.

1. When did you graduate from UAB?
   I finished the UAB Otolaryngology Residency Program in 1993.
   
   
2. Where are you now?
   I currently live in Gurley, Alabama and work in Huntsville, Alabama.  We have 9 ENT docs in our practice, North Alabama ENT Associates.  I completed a Pediatric Otolaryngology Fellowship in San Diego and then worked at Nemour's Children's Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida for 2 years before coming to Huntsville.  99% of my practice is pediatric and I see consults at the Women's and Children's part of Huntsville Hospital almost daily.  When taking call, I see "all comers".
   
   
3. What aspect of your time at UAB do you believe was most valuable as you started your career?
   Obviously, my time at Children's Hospital in Birmingham was very important. Dr. James Reilly was the Chief of Pediatric Otolaryngology and he was instrumental in helping me to land the fellowship in San Diego.
   
   
4. Did you have a particular mentor while at UAB? Why were they a good mentor?
   Dr. Reilly was a great mentor.  Dr. Peters was outstanding as well.  I don't believe any program in the country had better Head and Neck training than UAB had under the tutelage of Dr. Peters.  We were "fellowship trained" in Head and Neck while in residency.
   
   
5. What is one of your fondest memories from UAB?
   We had great camaraderie among the residents.  John Jebeles and Mike Sillers were in my year and we instituted the DNR Trach/FESS during the PGY-3 consult service. 
   
   
6. Give one piece of advice you’d like to share with the current residents or those recently graduated.
   The best advice for training is to consider that any and every day, a patient can show up on your doorstep and you're it.  No one else to punt to, no transfers available.  See as much as you can and do as much as you can while you have back-up available.
   
   
7. Hobbies/Interests: When you’re not working, how do you spend your time?
   My kids are all out of the house now.  Oldest son is a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.  Oldest daughter is in medical school at Baylor in Houston.  Youngest daughter and son are both in college at Alabama.  I coached travel hockey for almost 20 years and now play hockey 2-3 mornings a week before work.  Also still ride bikes a lot.  Dr. Teachey (UAB Otolaryngology 1995) and I are participating in the Race Across America in June 2019.  I try to find time in my day to play guitar.

1. What made you want to become a physician?
   After finishing medical training in South Korea, I was appointed to work as a humanitarian medical officer for the Korean Government for three years in lieu of military duty. During those three years, I had thought about switching my career from a clinician to an administrative officer. Although my work was gratifying, I came to believe that advances in translational research held the potential for even more significant impact on disease prevention and management than was possible through administrative outreaches.  Therefore, I decided to re-train in the US (enriched research environment) and finished my Otolaryngology residency at Stanford University with two additional years of a research fellowship.   
   
   
2. What is the best part of your job?
   The evolution of medicine depends on the successful translation of basic science research from the bench to clinical implementation at the bedside. As a clinician-scientist, I am trying to bridge the gap between research in the basic sciences and clinical medicine in the field of upper airway diseases (chronic rhinosinusitis, chronic rhinitis, cystic fibrosis), and eventually make important contributions to healthcare.
   
   
3. Who is a mentor who has had a profound influence on your life?
   There are a lot of people who have had a tremendous influence on my life. Regarding my career development, there are two mentors: Dr. Peter H. Hwang at Stanford University and Dr. Bradford A. Woodworth at UAB. Dr. Hwang has always supported and encouraged me to pursue my dreams while challenging me to be the best that I can. Dr. Woodworth is an excellent goal-setter and has inspired me to set high goals for myself and work hard to reach them. They are great writers and editors. They magically edit what I write and are always to the point.
   
   
4. What does the future of medicine look like in your area of interest?
   About two years ago, I did have a book club with our residents focusing on "The Digital Doctor" by Robert Wachter. Based on that book, I would imagine this: In the clinic, the clinic note will be created by physicians and other team members mainly through speaking, rather than writing and thousands of clicking. Consultations with specialists will be completely reimagined.  A new system of national physician licensure, enacted to facilitate telemedicine, will allow consultations to cross state boundaries. There may even be instances in which consultants are in other countries.  While physicians will still be ultimately responsible for making a final diagnosis, the electronic health records will suggest possible diagnoses for the physicians to consider, along with the tests and treatments based on guidelines and literature that are a click or a voice command way.
   
   
5. How do you like spending your time off?
   I love traveling and cooking. I am try to make very authentic Korean cuisine using traditional ingredients. Usually, my reference is YouTube videos. I once made Kimchi (fermented spicy cabbage) here in Birmingham by myself, which wasn’t easy at all.  I have visited about 40 countries, including North Korea and Eritrea (the two most isolated countries in the world). During my time off, I am planning my next trip. I would like to visit Easter Island and Iceland in the near future.     

AMERICAN RHINOLOGIC SOCIETY MEETING

• Top 15 Abstract Session
  “The ciprofloxacin and ivacaftor coated sinus stent has sustained activity against pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms” - Do-Yeon Cho, MD
• Moderator: Do-Yeon Cho, MD / Bradford A. Woodworth, MD 
  “Ivacaftor Improves Rhinologic, Psychologic, And Sleep-related Quality Of Life In G551d Cystic Fibrosis Patients” - Justin McCormick, MD
• Top 15 Abstract Session 
  “Herbal Dry Extract BND 1011 Improves Clinical and Mucociliary Parameters in a Rabbit Model of CRS” -  Do-Yeon Cho, MD 

KOREAN AMERICAN SATELITE SYMPOSIUM DINNER

• Korean American Otolaryngology Society Travel Grant – Sean Evans, MD (PGY5, UAB)

SOHN 42ND ANNUAL CONGRESS AND NURSING SYMPOSIUM

• “Pediatric Congenital Hemangioma and Vascular Malformations”  - Brian Kulbersh, MD 

AAO-HNSF ANNUAL MEETING

• Oct 7th: Panel Presentation “Smoking Cessation: What Treatments Works and How to Bill Effectively” - Richard Waguespack, MD (Panelist)
• Oct 7th: Expert Series “Coding and Auditing for the Compliance Officer: Part I" - Richard Waguespack, MD (Co-Presenter)
• Oct 7th: Expert Series “Coding and Auditing for the Compliance Officer: Part II” - Richard Waguespack, MD (Co-Presenter)
• Oct 7th: Expert Series “Hot Coding Topics in Otolaryngology 2018” - Richard Waguespack, MD (Lead Presenter)
• Oct 7th: Panel Presentation “Board of Governors Hot Topics: Infection Control 2018-Safety, Sterility, and Control” -  Susan D. McCammon, MD (Panelist)\
• Oct 8th: Panel Presentation “21st Century Carrier Relations: Building Collaboration and Trust: Part I” - Richard Waguespack, MD (Panelist)
• Oct 8th: Panel Presentation “21st Century Carrier Relations: Building Collaboration and Trust: Part II” - Richard Waguespack, MD (Panelist)
• Oct 8th: Lunch with the Experts – Rhinology: Expert Host Bradford A. Woodworth, MD
• Oct 8th: Scientific Oral Presentations: Sleep Medicine “Response to Upper Airway Stimulation in Older Adults with Moderate to Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea” - Sean Evans, MD (Presenter)
• Oct 8th: Scientific Oral Presentations: Rhinology/Allergy: Do-Yeon Cho, MD (Moderator)
• Oct 8th: Expert Series “Laryngectomy in the Era of Chemoradiation 2018” - William R. Carroll, MD (Lead Presenter)
• Oct 9th: Panel Presentation “Advance Practice Providers in ENT: Justify, Recruit, and On-Board for Success: Part I” - Kristina Gidley PA-C, MSHA (Panelist)
• Oct 9th: Panel Presentation “Advance Practice Providers in ENT: Justify, Recruit, and On-Board for Success: Part II” - Kristina Gidley PA-C, MSHA (Panelist)
• Oct 9th: Expert Series “Management of Chronic Rhinosinusitis in Systemic Inflammatory or Genetic Diseases” - Bradford A. Woodworth, MD (Lead Presenter), Do-Yeon Cho, MD (Co-Presenter)
• Oct 9th: Rapid Poster Presentations: Do-Yeon Cho, MD (Moderator) 

The U.S. News & World Report’s (USNWR) Best Hospitals Rankings 2018-2019 lists UAB Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) No. 29 nationally. This is the ninth consecutive year UAB ENT has been recognized by USNWR Best Hospitals.

“UAB ENT is committed to providing outstanding patient care and we believe this national recognition reflects both our dedication and expertise across the spectrum of head and neck disorders,” said William R. Carroll, M.D., Chair, UAB Department of Otolaryngology.

A hospital’s score for ENT is based on various data categories, including volume of high-risk patients, nurse staffing and patient survival. UAB ENT was ranked highly for patient safety, number of patients and patient services, among other factors.

Overall, UAB Hospital was again ranked No. 1 in Alabama.  Nine other UAB adult specialties joined ENT in the nation’s top 50, and three adult specialties and seven procedures/conditions were named High Performing. 

UAB's highest ranked programs include:

• Rheumatology (10)
• Nephrology (13)
• Pulmonology (16)
• Cardiology & Heart Surgery (18)
• Gynecology (25)
• Diabetes & Endocrinology (28)
• Ear, Nose & Throat (29)
• Urology (34)
• Neurology & Neurosurgery (36)
• Geriatrics (42)

USNWR also recognized UAB for High Performance in three adult specialties, including gastroenterology & GI surgery, Cancer and Orthopedics.

1. What made you want to become a physician?
   A passion for helping. All people have an equal shot at health and a sense of safety and well-being.

2. What is the best part of your job?
   Listening to patients talk with me and their loved ones about what is really important to them and learning how they make choices so that I can help them with high-risk health care decisions. Similarly, working with students of all levels to help them find their purpose and flourish in it.

3. Who is a mentor who has had a profound influence on your life?
   Dr. Glenn Peters and Dr. Bill Carroll taught me how to care for people with head and neck cancer from the very beginning.  I still hear their voices in my ear when operate.  Dr. Lee Grumbles helped me understand the incredible power of supportive care and palliative medicine in surgical patients.

4. What does the future of medicine look like in your area of interest?
   The future of medicine in both head and neck surgery and in palliative medicine and supportive care will be shaped by the voices and identities of individual patients.  Goals for treatment and survivorship will be discussed from the very beginning of a serious illness diagnosis.  Supportive and advance care planning will be integrated into all patient-centered care, not just end-of-life care.

5. How do you like spending your time off?
   Cooking, reading, driving the back roads of Alabama and getting to know the different counties. I also love visiting and sharing books and recipes with my husband Tom and my family in Tuscaloosa, Prattville and Mobile.

Dr. Kristine Day will be completing a Pediatric Otolaryngology fellowship at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina Children’s Hospital. 

Dr. Jessica Grayson will be moving to Sydney, Australia to complete her fellowship in Rhinology and Anterior Skill Base Surgery.

Dr. Angela Haskins has a fellowship with Medical University of South Carolina Department of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery.

1. Dr. Alexander and his wife Kim at Cure Hospital in Kijabe, Kenya where he goes on an annual mission trip for cleft lip and palate repair. This year, he will help with airway surgery.When did you graduate from UAB?
   2012
   
   
2. Where are you now?
   Greenville Health System Children's Hospital in Greenville, SC.    
   
   
3. What are your clinical/research interests?
   Clinical – pediatric otolaryngology – pediatric airway, cochlear implantation, and head/neck.
   
   
4. How did you choose to practice this area of otolaryngology?
   I felt like it was a very rewarding facet of otolaryngology as it provides such a life changing impact early on in the life of a child, and their family.
   
   
5. What aspect of your time at UAB do you believe was most valuable as you started your career?
   The attendings at UAB had an excellent ability to balance instruction and autonomy with surgical progression. We were able to do an incredible number of cases and that helped to increase surgical confidence as I transitioned into fellowship and then practice. These things also helped to solidify principles and memories that still surface every time I do a particular case.
   
   
6. Did you have a particular mentor while at UAB? Why were they a good mentor?
   I didn’t have one particular mentor while in residency. Several attendings at UAB and Children’s helped really shape the way that I practice, operate, and maintain work-home balance.
   
   
7. What is one of your fondest memories from UAB?
   I am particularly fond of the unique dynamic where we fostered real friendships with our attendings all while they trusted and allowed us to share in their operations and their day to day practice. I worked a ton and felt like we made a real difference.
   
   
8. Give one piece of advice you’d like to share with the current residents or those recently graduated.
   Take notes. There are so many pearls within the five years of residency, it’s easy and unfortunate to leave some in short term memory. The details of a Peter’s thyroid, a Carroll neck, a McGrew mastoid, a Woodworth FESS (just to name a few) are priceless.
   
   
9. When you’re not working, how do you spend your time?
   When not at work, I enjoy being home with my wife and five kids and exercising. 

Forget texting with friends and emailing coworkers. The most important asset we have to engage in meaningful conversation is our voice. What other tool can explain, encourage or make a difference?

But like any part of our bodies, our voices need to be looked after. World Voice Day is an annual worldwide event devoted to the celebration of that invaluable tool.

Each of us has a unique vocal signature comparable to a fingerprint. The voice includes defining characteristics of pitch, loudness, resonance and clarity, all of which lead to presumptions about our intelligence, mood, influence, confidence and desires. The unique variation of these characteristics is distinctly recognizable, closely associated with our identity and therefore should be something that we cherish when navigating the many thousands of choices that we make daily.

Richard McHugh, M.D., assistant professor for the University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Otolaryngology and co-director for the UAB Voice Center suggests making your vocal hygiene a priority by implementing these healthy lifestyle choices:

• Drink an adequate volume of water each day
• Avoid overuse and abuse (yelling, strain, chronic throat clearing, speaking in glottic fry)
• Quit smoking, avoid smokeless tobacco and exposure to secondhand smoke
• Limit intake of acid reflux-inducing foods and activities

“One of the most common problems that people experience is called muscle tension dysphonia,” said McHugh. “This occurs when the act of speaking with muscle over usage and strain leads to hoarseness.  It can be a result of many different things including voice overuse or abuse, or from laryngitis among many other causes.”

If you feel that your voice is having problems such as roughness, strain, hoarseness or weakness lasting more than a few weeks, make an appointment with your otolaryngologist or laryngologist for an evaluation.

A laryngologist may be needed for treatment of problems that require surgery. These specialists are also able to diagnose uncommon voice disorders. Another part of your patient care team may include a speed pathologist who works to teach the healthiest technique to produce voice by optimizing breath support and minimizing laryngeal muscle strain through rehabilitative exercises and techniques.

“We are so privileged to be a part of caring for patients with voice trouble, said Bridget Hopewell, M.D., Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology at UAB.  “There are so many people who rely on their voices for their careers in addition to facilitating relationships with other people. Our goal is to help keep voices healthy so patients can continue speaking, teaching, preaching, or singing!”

For more information, visit www.uab.edu/medicine/otolaryngology.

Dr. Bradford Woodworth has been traveling a lot lately, but not for pleasure. He has been asked to present lectures at institutions as close as San Antonio, Texas and as far as Melbourne, Australia. Dr. Woodworth is always eager to provide his insight on various topics like rhinosinusitis, cystic fibrosis, sinus trauma and CSF leaks. Below is a list of some of his recent lectures:

• International Congress Faculty/Scientific Program Speaker, "Transnasal Endoscopic Management of Frontal Sinus Trauma." Rhinology World Congress, Hong Kong, China, August 31-September 3, 2017.
• Keynote Speaker, "Acquired CFTR Dysfunction in Chronic Rhinosinusitis." Stanford University Otolaryngology 8th Annual Research Day, Stanford, CA, October 23, 2017.
• International Guest Faculty/Invited Speaker, "Cystic Fibrosis" & "Endoscopic Management of Frontal Sinus Fractures" & "Management of Spontaneous CSF leaks and Idiopathic intracranial hypertension", 2017 Victorian Sinus and Rhioplasty Dissection Course, Oct 27-29, Melbourne, Australia.
• Visiting Professor/Invited Speaker, “Evolution of Treatment Paradigms for CSF Leaks and Frontal Sinus Trauma.” University of Pennsylvania Department of Otorhinolaryngology Grand Rounds, Philadelphia, PA, November 9, 2017.
• International Guest Faculty/Invited Speaker, “Management of AFS, ASA Triad, and CD Frontal Sinus Disease.” & “Draf IIB Frontal Sinusotomy: How I Do It.” 7th Nottingham Advanced Frontal Sinus Surgery Course, Coventry, UK, January 22-23, 2018.
• Invited Speaker, "Transnasal Endoscopic Management of Frontal Sinus Trauma" for panel on Management of Anterior Skull Base Trauma. North American Skull Base Society Annual Meeting, February 18, 2018.
• Holt Visiting Professor on Translational Research. “Acquired CFTR Dysfunction in Chronic Rhinosinusitis.” University of Texas Health – San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, March 6, 2018. 
• Holt Visiting Professor on Translational Research. “Evolving Treatment Strategies for CSF Leaks and Frontal Sinus Trauma.” University of Texas Health – San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, March 6, 2018.

Dr. Woodworth and Dr. Philip Chen, program director at UTSA, in front of the Alamo.

1. When did you graduate from UAB?
   2014.
   
   
2. Where are you now?
   Univeristy of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center in Lexington, Kent.
   
   
3. What are your clinical/research interests?
   Immunonutrition in cancer patients, microvascular free tissue transfer, resident burnout.
   
   
4. What aspect of your time at UAB do you believe was most valuable as you started your career?
   All of it.  When entering fellowship, I felt that I was better prepared than some of my counterparts because of the autonomy, responsibility, and communication that I learned during my time at UAB.  
   
   
5. Did you have a particular mentor while at UAB?
   Several - but mainly Bill Carroll and Eben Rosenthal.
   
   
6. What is one of your fondest memories from UAB?
   Going into the OR on a Saturday to film "Flap You" with all the residents.
   
   
7. Give one piece of advice you'd like to share with the current residents or those recently graduated.
   When you become an attending, you will understand.  Don’t get frustrated.
   
   
8. When you're not working, how do you spend your time?
   Movies, hiking, traveling, eating all kinds of food, following the Michigan Wolverines

The Department of Otolaryngology is excited to welcome our new interns to UAB. We matched with our four residents in one of our highest-ranked classes ever! Meet our new PGY-1 team:

Hunter Edward Skoog attended Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine for medical school. He received his Bachelor of Science from Texas A&M University. Hunter was born in Longview, Texas.

Robert (Bob) Edward Wineski was born in Metarie, Louisiana, and attended Harvard University for his undergraduate degree. He completed medical school of the University of Mississippi School of Medicine in Jackson, Mississippi. 

Natalie Ann Derise completed medical school at Louisiana State University School of Medicine in Shreveport, Louisiana. Born in Lafayette, Louisiana, she attended LSU in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, for her undergraduate degree.

Beau Taylor Vandiver was born in Madisonville, Kentucky. Before attending medical school at the University of Texas Medical Branch School of Medicine in San Galveston, Texas, he received his Bachelor of Science from University of Texas at Dallas in Richardson, Texas.

1. When did you graduate from UAB?
   I completed ENT residency at UAB in 2013.
   
   
2. Where are you now?
   I joined a private practice in Tallahassee, Fla. that is affiliated with the FSU medical school, so we also get to mentor med students, general surgery residents, internal medicine residents and family practice residents that rotate through our group.  Although it’s not an academic position, we are definitely a hybrid and do a lot of teaching. 
   
   
3. What are your clinical/research interests?
   After residency I went on to complete a fellowship in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery with Dr. Dean Toriumi.  Our recent publications have been focused on clinical outcomes after rhinoplasty.
   
   
4. How did you choose to practice this area of otolaryngology?
   Believe it or not, Dr. McGrew was actually the first to suggest I consider doing plastics…  Maybe it was because he saw I paid great attention to detail, or maybe because he thought I was lousy at drilling mastoids.  Either way, he was very influential on my developing career, and helped me see that my personality and skill set fit plastics well. 
   
   
5. What aspect of your time at UAB do you believe was most valuable as you started your career?
   When I was at UAB, Drs. Peters/Carroll/Rosenthal/Magnuson ran one of the busiest head and neck programs in the country.  Drs. Wiatrak/Woolley/Hill/Shirley/Kulbersh/Smith took care of some of the most complex pediatric ENT patients in the region.  We had fantastic faculty in the other subspecialties as well, and I got great training in rhinology, laryngology, otology, and plastics.  When I came out of residency, I felt like I could have concentrated my practice in any of these areas, and I look back with pride as I see all these sections of the Otolaryngology Department at UAB continue to grow.  I am extremely grateful that I received such well-rounded training during residency, because general otolaryngology helped put bread on the table for me until I was able to build a healthy plastics practice.    
   
   
6. Did you have a particular mentor while at UAB? Why were they a good mentor?
   Dr. Cox was extremely supportive in helping me obtain a fellowship in facial plastics, as UAB had never had a resident try to place in this type fellowship before.  Drs. Carroll and Rosenthal, who are also ABFPRS boarded, were also influential in my training as they allowed me on the head and neck service to focus more on the reconstructive side of things rather than oncologic, both in research and clinically.  Even though I had a very strong rhinoplasty experience during my fellowship, I still do many things in and on the nose that I learned from Drs. Woodworth and Cox during residency. 
   
   
7. What is one of your fondest memories from UAB?
   Last year my mom was actually a patient at UAB…  Even though it’s been a few years since I graduated, I was amazed at how many hugs I received from so many different people from so many different parts of the hospital.  I think it shows how strong the relationships are you form during residency, and that the UAB program is really a big extended family.
   
   
8. Give one piece of advice you’d like to share with the current residents or those recently graduated.
   Learn as much as you can from as many people as you can.  Each of your faculty do certain things a certain way.  Don’t just learn how they do something, but why they do it that way.  Make notes not only on the critical steps of the operations, but pay attention to all the small details like what type needle your suture was on, how was the room set up, etc.  Write down the brand and the serial numbers when you get an instrument in your hand that you really like. Listen closely to your patients, as they know their bodies best and you can learn much from them.  Read as much as you can and go to as many national meetings as you can.  Learn from your fellow residents, as they can be your most valuable resource (don’t make the same mistakes they made the week before).  Love and respect your co-residents, as they will become some of your best friends for life.  Finally, don’t underestimate how much you can learn from your fellows, NP’s, PA’s, RNFA’s, nurses, scrub techs, CRNA’s, anesthesiologists, speech pathologists, audiologists, social workers, administrative staff, unit secretaries, etc., as most of them have been around the block for a while and know how things are supposed to run…and often have more time to teach than your attendings who may be more pressed for time. 
   
   
9. When you’re not working, how do you spend your time?
   When you’re a resident your life is basically:  wake, operate, eat, sleep.  Repeat. 
   
   So, I’ve had to wipe the dust off the golf clubs, start all over accumulating sky miles, shock your body back into exercising, and remind your family and old friends that you do still exist.

1. When did you graduate from UAB?
   I completed my residency training in Otolarynology – Head and Neck Surgery in 1994.
   
   
2. Where are you now?
   I began my medical practice and have continued to practice in Montgomery, my hometown. I grew up here in a medical family and always felt comfortable coming back home to practice medicine and service my community.
   
   
3. What are your clinical/research interests?
   I practice general otolaryngology, placing a special interest in rhinology. I am involved in state and medical societies, like Alabama Society of Otolaryngology (Sec/Tres), Montgomery County Medical Society (Sec/Tres), Montgomery Surgical Center (Board) and am a proud member of the Millennium Society of our American Academy of Otolaryngology.
   
   
4. How did you choose to practice this area of otolaryngology?
   I felt that practicing general otolaryngology in a smaller setting was ideal for me. After many years of practicing most aspects of our specialty, I tend to focus more on rhinology.
   
   
5. What aspect of your time at UAB do you believe was most valuable as you started your career?
   During my training at UAB, we developed knowledge, confidence and skills in treating most patients with otolaryngological conditions. We also developed excellent connections with the staff of the program at UAB, whereby we could ask for assistance with a patient with a more complicated problem, or in a case that may need more intensive tertiary care at UAB. During my years of practice, I have been very impressed with the ability of the staff to help the community-based otolaryngologists.
   
   
6. Did you have a particular mentor while at UAB? Why were they a good mentor?
   I had many outstanding mentors at UAB, but I have to admit that Dr. Julius “buddy” Hicks, the former Chair of our division, had the most influence on my career. I initially rotated on his service as a medical student and later interviewed with him prior to my acceptance into the program. He was a most caring and thoughtful physician and he had a unique ability to communicate with his patients. Some of his sayings I continue to use to this day. He treated his residents as family and took a keen interest in their own local family and community. I later had the honor and privilege to sponsor his nomination award to MASA for 50 years of outstanding service in our state.
   
   
7. Give one piece of advice you'd like to share with the current residents or those recently graduated.
   Consider practicing community Otolaryngology in a smaller setting. There is no greater reward and privilege than to be able to help those in greatest need, and in so doing, getting to know their family and friends, who also may become your own patients. We as physicians have a unique ability to connect and interact with our patients, which in itself is personally gratifying. Consider being involved in state and local medical societies and engage with teaching residents and medical students. The latter is a fantastic way to connect with your future peers and be able to give back to your local community with education at the same time. And continue to push yourself with knowledge and information and keep learning! This will naturally benefit our patients! 
   
   
8. When you're not working, how do you spend your time?
   I enjoy traveling and snow skiing with my friends and family and most enjoy attending Alabama football games with my son, who is now a Sophomore at the University.Dr. Anderson with his mentor Dr. Hicks and his wife Ann Hicks