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 The American Academy of Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery/Foundation
traces its roots back to 1896. In that year, in response to an
invitation by Dr. Hal Foster, a group of men practicing ophthalmology
and/or otolaryngology in the central and southern part of the
United States gathered in Kansas City. A two-day program of scientific
papers was held followed by the formation of a new society, the
Western Ophthalmological, Otological, Laryngological and Rhinological
Association.
 Over the next 82 years the Association changed its name twice.
It also helped establish the first specialty boards in America.
First was the American Board of Ophthalmology, created in 1917.
In 1924 the American Board of Otolaryngology was established.
In addition, the concept of formal instruction courses was introduced
during the annual meetings of the Association. These innovations
were pivotal factors in the development of continuing medical
education in this country.
By 1978, the diverging interests of ophthalmology and otolaryngology
had reached a stage where separation seemed inevitable. A planned
and orderly separation of the Association was carried out with
the formation of two new organizations--the American Academy
of Ophthalmology and the American Academy of Otolaryngology.
In 1980, the American Academy of Otolaryngology added Head and
Neck Surgery to its name to become the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head
and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS). This name change reflected the expanded
scope of the specialty from ears, nose, and throat to include
the head and neck region-e.g. treatment of benign and malignant
tumors, cosmetic and reconstructive facial plastic surgery, and
upper respiratory allergy and immunology.
In the 1960s the federal government became a new presence in
the practice of medicine, especially with the passage of Medicare
in 1965. Socioeconomic changes created a need for national representation
of the specialty in noneducational issues. In response, the American
Council of Otolaryngology (ACO) was formed in 1968. However,
the need for the specialty to speak with a single voice resulted
in the 1982 merger of the AAO-HNS with the ACO.
The socioeconomic and government relations responsibilities
of the Council are carried out by the Academy, and the educational
responsibilities of the old Academy predecessor are now the task
of the educational Foundation. Today, the American Academy of
Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and its Foundation sponsor
continuing medical education, professional meetings, new scientific
research, and practice management guidance for more than 11,000
ear, nose, and throat specialists in the United States and abroad.
The Academy also monitors all federal medical-related legislation
and educates legislators and policy makers about the needs and
concerns of otolaryngologists. The Foundation maintains both
the John Q. Adams Center for the History of Otolaryngology-Head
and Neck Surgery and the National Center for the Promotion of
Research in Otolaryngology.
For a detailed history of the Academy and its predecessor organizations,
see A Century of Excellence, Loring W. Pratt, MD, Jerome C. Goldstein,
MD, Sharon A. Bryan, and T. Susan Hill, Editor. (c) 1996 American
Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation, ISBN
1-56772-051-X.
© 2004 AAO-HNS/AAO-HNSF |
