Portraits from left to right: Samuel Crowe, M.D., John E. Bordley, M.D., George Nager, M.D.
Standing: Maie St. John, M.D., Ph.D.
Sitting from left to right: David W. Eisele, M.D., Lloyd B. Minor, M.D., Charles W. Cummings, M.D., Michael M.E. Johns, M.D.

Framed by portraits of past department directors, members of the Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery recently held a Legacy Celebration at the Welch Medical Library at The Johns Hopkins Hospital, honoring the distinguished leaders who shaped the department’s history and cemented its global reputation for clinical excellence, research innovation and surgical education.

The foundation of this legacy is Michael M.E. Johns, M.D. (director between 1984–1991), whose tenure expanded the department’s scope, academic influence and national visibility. His leadership laid the groundwork for sustained growth and innovation, ultimately leading him to serve as dean of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and to hold senior leadership roles across academic medicine. Johns’ impact established a trajectory that positioned the department for long-term excellence and institutional influence.

Charles W. Cummings, M.D. (director between 1991–2003) further advanced the department through more than a decade of transformative clinical and academic growth. A towering figure in the field, Cummings authored the seminal Cummings Otolaryngology: Head and Neck Surgery textbook, which continues to shape otolaryngology education worldwide. His leadership strengthened national standards in training and practice, reinforcing the department’s role as a central force in defining the specialty through expansion of the clinician-scientist model.

Lloyd B. Minor, M.D. (director between 2003–2009) brought a unique integration of scientific discovery and administrative leadership, advancing groundbreaking research in balance physiology while strengthening the department’s academic mission. His leadership trajectory ultimately led him to serve as provost of The Johns Hopkins University. Minor’s tenure reflected the department’s capacity to foster leaders whose influence extends well beyond a single discipline.

David W. Eisele, M.D. (director between 2012–2025) provided distinguished clinical leadership and strengthened the department’s ambulatory footprint, including in the Greater Washington Region, enhancing multidisciplinary care and reinforcing Johns Hopkins’ reputation for excellence in complex patient care, research integration and surgical innovation.

Today Maie St. John, M.D., Ph.D., leads the department and holds the distinction of being the first female chair. An internationally recognized surgeon-scientist and educator, St. John’s leadership marks a new era defined by innovation, mentorship and forward-thinking academic vision. Her appointment underscores the department’s commitment to inclusive leadership while continuing its tradition of excellence across clinical care, research and education.

As the department looks ahead, the Legacy Celebration served not only as a reflection on past achievements but also a reaffirmation of its mission for the future. Guided by the foundations established by its former directors and strengthened by the vision of current leadership, the Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery remains committed to advancing patient care, driving transformative research and sustaining excellence in surgical education.