October 2025 marked the 10th anniversary of the UAB Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, which became the 26th department in the UAB Heersink School of Medicine in October 2015. Starting with just two faculty members in the surgery department in 1982, the department has grown into a destination for top-tier care in Alabama and the surrounding areas, boasting nearly two dozen faculty members and countless success stories.

In honor of our 10th anniversary as a department in 2025, we've been highlighting top headlines from throughout the past decade. Here's a roundup of the historical headlines we've featured!

Mollie Perryman, M.D., joined the UAB Department of Otolaryngology in October 2025. She earned her undergraduate degree in Spanish from Tufts University before spending a year in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where she taught English. She then attended the University of Kansas School of Medicine, where she completed both her medical degree and residency in otolaryngology. Most recently, she completed her fellowship at UAB.

The American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF) 2025 Annual Meeting and OTO EXPO is Saturday, Oct. 11, to Tuesday, Oct. 14 at the Indiana Convention Center and JW Marriott Indianapolis Hotel in Indianapolis, Indiana. 

Benjamin Greene, M.D., has been promoted from associate professor to professor in the UAB Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, effective Oct. 1, 2025.

The UAB Department of Otolaryngology welcomed Anne Kane, M.D., in August 2025 as an associate professor and surgeon-scientist in the Division of Head and Neck Oncologic Surgery.

As summer winds down, many people are packing in one last trip before the season ends. Whether you're headed to the beach, mountains, or visiting family across the country, one thing can quickly turn a relaxing trip into an uncomfortable experience: the pressure that can build in your ears and sinuses during travel.

The UAB Department of Otolaryngology has received additional funding to support the SPEAK OUT!® Therapy Program. This initiative of the Parkinson Voice Project allows the UAB Voice Center to offer free speech therapy to eligible individuals living with Parkinson’s disease.

Researchers in the UAB Department of Otolaryngology recently occupied a new, 3,400-square-foot lab space in the newly renovated McCallum Basic Health Science Building. Renovations to the McCallum Building involved revitalizing the historic building, creating more modern and collaborative research spaces, with floors three through nine dedicated to departments in the Heersink School of Medicine.

The UAB Department of Otolaryngology honored its 2025 graduating residents and fellows with a celebration and awards ceremony on June 20.

UAB Hospital has been reverified as a Level I adult trauma center by the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Committee on Trauma (COT) and remains the only ACS-Level I adult trauma center in the state of Alabama. Learn what it takes to meet the rigorous standards set by the ACS.

Do you wake up feeling tired, struggle to focus during the day, or hear from others that your snoring shakes the walls? It could be more than just a noisy inconvenience. For many people, poor nighttime breathing stems from physical issues in the nose or throat that get worse while we sleep. And for others, it may signal a more serious condition like obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT), also known as Osler-Weber-Rendu syndrome, is a rare, but serious, genetic disorder that causes abnormal blood vessels to form throughout the body. These abnormal vessels bypass much smaller blood vessels, or capillaries, creating direct connections between arteries and veins known as arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). This can lead to serious health issues, including internal bleeding and complications in vital organs like the lungs, brain, spine, liver and gastrointestinal tract.

Just as we care for our overall health, our voices deserve the same attention. Vocal health is essential for those who rely on their voices and want to communicate clearly and comfortably.

A new UAB clinic offering a range of ENT services is backed by decades of experience in one convenient location on Highway 119. UAB ENT at 119, previously known as Alabama Nasal and Sinus Center, officially opened its doors under its new moniker in January 2025. The clinic is led by Michael J. Sillers, M.D., FACS, who recently rejoined the UAB Department of Otolaryngology as a clinical professor specializing in rhinology.

When most people think of a surgeon, they don’t typically imagine handcrafted musical instruments, hill country blues, or early morning painting sessions. But for Kirk Withrow, M.D., associate professor and director of Salivary and Sleep Surgery in the UAB Department of Otolaryngology, creativity isn’t a side hobby; it’s part of how he sees the world.

The UAB Department of Otolaryngology hosted its 20th Annual Ann B. & Julius N. Hicks Lectureship in Otolaryngology and 2025 Residents’ Research Day on April 26 at Valley Hotel in Homewood.

The UAB Marnix E. Heersink School of Medicine recognized 15 faculty members for their outstanding contributions to research, education, and clinical care at the Spring 2025 Endowed Chairs and Professorships Reception.

Two members of the UAB Department of Otolaryngology were recently recognized for 25 years of service to the institution.

Bradford A. Woodworth, M.D., FACS, James J. Hicks Endowed Professor of Otolaryngology in the UAB Department of Otolaryngology, has been appointed to the rank of Distinguished Professor.