John Poynor, M.D.John W. Poynor, M.D., a graduate of the University of Alabama School of Medicine class of 1966, established a connection to the UAB Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery that would lead him to a legacy of giving, one that his wife, Nancy, continues to this day.
“He gave in gratitude for the excellent medical training he received from The Department of Otolaryngology and with the desire to make a difference for its patients,” Nancy said.
After completing medical school, Poynor entered a residency in otolaryngology at what was then the University of Alabama School of Medicine under James J. Hicks, M.D., and Julius N. Hicks, M.D., two of the founding members of what would eventually become the UAB Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. He completed his residency in 1971 and entered private practice with ENT Associates of Alabama in 1973 under John S. Odess, M.D., where he practiced until his death in 2018.
Throughout his 47 years in private practice as an otolaryngologist, Poynor stayed connected to the UAB Otolaryngology Residency Program, regularly attending early morning lectures and other meetings involving the residents.
“Staying connected and informed, he witnessed the growth and advancement of the department and an increase in the number of ENT residents,” Nancy said.
Poynor’s passion to support others in their medical education endeavors became apparent. He was interviewed by his undergraduate university in 2013 and quoted saying the following:
“In 1975, soon after leaving the Air Force, I was sitting at the table, writing checks to pay my mortgage and utility bills,” Poynor said. “I realized that I wouldn’t be able to pay those bills if not for my education. So, since that time, I have been writing monthly checks to both Washington and Lee (University) and my medical school.”
Poynor’s support for the UAB School of Medicine evolved into the John W. Poynor, M.D., Medical Endowment, which supported medical student loans. In 2000, the fund was redirected explicitly to the then Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery via the John W. Poynor Endowed Support Fund for Otolaryngology, which supported a faculty member in a variety of research and clinical efforts and provided educational and training opportunities for both faculty and residents.
Susan McCammon, M.D., Ph.D., FACSIn 2018, the support fund became the John W. Poynor Endowed Professorship in Otolaryngology, and in 2019, Susan McCammon, M.D., was named the recipient. McCammon, who still holds the professorship today, coincidentally graduated from Poynor’s alma mater, Indian Springs School, and shares his passion for art.
McCammon serves as the director of the Head and Neck Cancer Survivorship Program, medical director of the Supportive Care Clinic, and director of the Head and Neck Oncologic and Reconstructive Surgery Fellowship Program. McCammon is also the vice president of the American Head and Neck Society and is on the board of the Head and Neck Cancer Alliance.
In addition to her primary appointment in the UAB Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, she holds appointments in the Division of Gerontology, Geriatrics, and Palliative Care in the UAB Department of Medicine. She has also recently taken on a new role coordinating medical ethics education across the Heersink School of Medicine curriculum.
Having completed her residency at UAB and a fellowship at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, McCammon’s research is focused on improving quality of life for patients with head and neck cancer, with a particular focus on pain management and survivorship.
“The Poynor endowment has enabled me to develop a career that combines surgical care of patients with cancers of the head and neck with comprehensive supportive care of those patients and their caregivers,” McCammon said. “This has built on the love of the arts and humanities that was nurtured at our mutual alma mater, Indian Springs School.”
She continued: “With the support of the Poynor endowment, I have been able to complete a Ph.D. in Bioethics and Health Humanities and use my research in medical decision making to help patients with advanced head and neck cancer navigate decisions and plan for survivorship. I cherish the ongoing support of Mrs. Poynor and her family.”
Poynor’s commitment to move his endowment to a higher level is being honored by Nancy through annual giving.