The Johns Hopkins Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery celebrates a year defined by exceptional professional achievement, national recognition and leadership across clinical care, education, research and service. Faculty, trainees and advanced practice providers were recognized through promotions, prestigious awards, national honors and specialty leadership roles — reflecting the department’s continued influence in shaping the future of otolaryngology.

Faculty Promotions

Several faculty members were promoted in recognition of their sustained excellence in scholarship, clinical impact and academic leadership:

• Amanda Lauer, Ph.D., was promoted to the rank of professor, recognizing her national leadership in auditory neuroscience and her significant contributions to research innovation and mentorship.
• Vaninder Dhillon, M.D., was promoted to associate professor, reflecting her clinical expertise, academic contributions and commitment to surgical education.
• Stephane Lajoie, Ph.D., was promoted to associate professor in recognition of his scholarly productivity and dedication to advancing education and research.
• Leila Mady, M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H., was promoted to associate professor, acknowledging her leadership in health services research, outcomes science and health equity.
• Carolyn Jenks, M.D., was promoted to associate professor in recognition of her clinical excellence, educational leadership and commitment to mentoring trainees.

Awards and Honors

Faculty, trainees and care team members received numerous honors highlighting excellence in collaboration, mentorship, scholarship, innovation and patient-centered care:

• Andy Ding, M.D., was selected as the recipient of the Haynes Award for Innovation from Vanderbilt University, a prestigious honor recognizing ingenuity and transformational impact in advancing patient care and academic medicine. Ding’s work exemplifies the spirit of innovation the award was designed to celebrate and reflects the department’s enduring commitment to advancing care through forward-thinking approaches. This recognition brings distinction to the department and underscores its long-standing commitment to outstanding patient care, scholarly excellence and meaningful impact.
• Jonathan Walsh, M.D., along with colleagues from the bronchopulmonary dysplasia team, received a Johns Hopkins Clinical Collaboration and Teamwork Award, recognizing outstanding interdisciplinary partnership and coordinated, high-quality care delivery.
• Deepa Galaiya, M.D., received the Johns Hopkins Scholarly Concentrations Excellence in Mentoring Award, honoring faculty mentors who demonstrate exceptional dedication to guiding student research and academic development.
• Christopher Maroun, M.D., PGY-5 resident, received the Frank L. Coulson, Jr. Award for Clinical Excellence from the Miller Coulson Academy of Clinical Excellence, an honor awarded annually to one resident in each program who exemplifies the highest standards of compassionate, patient-centered clinical care.
• Tolani Olonisakin, M.D., PGY-3 resident, received the American Head and Neck Society Award for Best Resident Basic Science Research Paper, recognizing outstanding scholarly contribution and scientific rigor at the national level.

Regional and National Recognition

Department faculty were widely recognized by regional and national publications for their clinical expertise and leadership:

• Washingtonian magazine recognized Wade Chien, M.D.; Shaun Desai, M.D.; Vaninder Dhillon, M.D.; Nyall London, M.D.; Jason Nellis, M.D.; Wojciech Mydlarz, M.D.; and Murray Ramanathan, M.D., as Top Doctors, reflecting excellence in patient care across multiple subspecialties.
• Bethesda Magazine named Vaninder Dhillon, M.D.; Wojciech Mydlarz, M.D.; and Murugappan Ramanathan, M.D., as Top Doctors in Otolaryngology, recognizing sustained clinical excellence within the region.
• Baltimore magazine recognized Emily Boss, M.D.; James Clarke, M.D.; and Leila Mady, M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H., as Top Doctors, further underscoring the department’s strong regional and national reputation.

Professional Service, Certification and Leadership Distinctions

Faculty, trainees and advanced practice providers achieved notable milestones in professional certification, national leadership, editorial service and specialty governance — highlighting the department’s influence on standards of care and professional practice.

• Christine Gourin, M.D., M.P.H., achieved a nationally rare and field-defining distinction by becoming only the second otolaryngologist in the United States to attain dual board certification in hospice and palliative medicine. She is also the only otolaryngologist in the nation to lead a head and neck cancer–specific palliative medicine clinic, establishing a unique care model that integrates advanced surgical oncology with comprehensive, longitudinal palliative support. This milestone represents a significant advancement for the specialty, and positions Johns Hopkins at the forefront of redefining patient-centered, multidisciplinary care for head and neck cancer.
• Leila Mady, M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H., and Vaninder Dhillon, M.D., earned the American Board of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Adult Complex Thyroid/Parathyroid Surgery Focused Practice Designation, recognizing advanced subspecialty expertise and a sustained commitment to excellence in complex endocrine surgery.
• Alexandra Burgess, M.D., PGY-4 resident, was selected as one of two new resident members of the editorial board of ENT Today, recognizing her early scholarly leadership and national engagement in specialty discourse.
• Nina DeSell, C.R.N.P., received a Presidential Commendation from the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners in recognition of exceptional service, leadership and sustained professional contributions.

Named Professorships and Society Inductions

• Elisabeth Glowatzki, Ph.D., was confirmed as the David M. Rubenstein Research Professor, recognizing her sustained excellence and leadership in auditory research.
• Amanda Lauer, Ph.D., was confirmed as the George T. Nager, M.D., Professor, honoring her significant contributions to research, education and mentorship.
• Bryan Ward, M.D., achieved a significant national honor with his induction as a fellow of the American Otological Society, one of the most selective and prestigious professional societies in the field. This distinguished induction honors Ward’s leadership and contributions to hearing and vestibular research, and reflects the department’s long-standing excellence in otologic scholarship and patient care.
• Francis “Pete” Creighton, M.D., was inducted into the Triological Society, a distinguished honor recognizing scholarly achievement, leadership and service in otolaryngology.