Mass Eye and Ear Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Celebrates 200th Anniversary
On Thursday, July 18, 2024, the Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery (OHNS) at Mass Eye and Ear kicked off their two-day bicentennial celebration. Current and former faculty and trainees—from all over the country—came together to commemorate 200 years of this renowned institution.
In the afternoon, Michael B. Rho, MD, FACS, President of the OHNS Alumni Association at Mass Eye and Ear, hosted a golf outing and reception for a group of alumni at Belmont Country Club. In the evening a Welcome Reception, hosted by Mark A. Varvares, MD, FACS, William W. Montgomery/John W. Merriam Professor and Chair of OHNS at Harvard Medical School and Chair of the Department of OHNS at Mass Eye and Ear, was held on the second floor of the Paul S. Russell, MD Museum of Medical History and Innovation at Massachusetts General Hospital. At the event, guests had the opportunity to peruse a special exhibit space showcasing some of Mass Eye and Ear’s novel innovations and initiatives over the years.
The celebration continued the morning of Friday, July 19, for a 200th Anniversary Symposium, where over a dozen Distinguished Speakers and three Honorary Chairs—Charles W. Cummings, MD; Eugene N. Myers, MD, FACS; and Herbert Silverstein, MD, FACS—presented on an extensive range of thoughtful topics (full list of speakers and topics below). The Symposium opened with a departmental update that summarized the past, present and future of the Department of OHNS, delivered by Dr. Varvares.
“It’s important for me to recognize that all our collective community, past and present, have been critical contributors for the growth and development of this department. And to our current trainees, take a good look. The luminaries you will hear from today are your lineage. Listen to their stories, as their stories will become your stories.” And with that meaningful remark, the Symposium commenced.
Throughout the day, every presentation ended with roaring applause, often accompanied by happy tears, as many speakers reminisced about the memories of their early careers and training. Speakers shared their personal experiences at Mass Eye and Ear, reflected on the “greats” they met along the way who shaped their medical careers, paid tribute to late trailblazers in the field and much more.
An “Ode to Monty” was a particularly special presentation as Drs. Cummings and Varvares, both mentees of the world-class laryngologist William W. Montgomery, MD—otherwise known as Monty—were joined by a grateful patient who reminisced on the life-changing care she received. She was referred to Dr. Montgomery 50 years ago for her congenital tracheal stenosis diagnosis and was the last patient he cared for before retiring. She remembered Monty by saying, “I always say, my parents gave me life, but Monty gave me the ability to live my life.”
Closing the 200th Anniversary Symposium, the Mass Eye and Ear Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Joseph B. Nadol, Jr., MD, a renowned trailblazer in otopathology and former Chief of the Department of OHNS. Accepting the award from his two proud mentees and dear friends, Michael J. McKenna, MD, and Steven D. Rauch, MD, Dr. Nadol expressed how deeply honored he was to receive the award and emphasized the important role his supportive family played in his career success.
The Symposium was followed by an unforgettable 200th Anniversary Gala, held at the Four Seasons Hotel, Boston, which was attended by nearly four hundred faculty and alumni. The guests were encouraged to dress in their best, reconnect with their classmates and enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime event!
During the Gala, an additional honor, the Mass Eye and Ear Distinguished Service Award, was presented to radiology pioneer Hugh D. Curtin, MD, FACR. Following the award presentation, the evening was filled with delicious food, cocktails, endless conversations and laughter.
“Since the founding of Mass Eye and Ear in 1824, we have evolved immensely. However, what has remained unchanged since those early days is the steadfast commitment to treating patients, researching ways to cure their diseases, educating the next generation, and serving our community. Here’s to the next 200 years,” said Dr. Varvares.
The full list of Distinguished Speakers, introductions and presentations:
Welcome and Opening Remarks
Mark A. Varvares, MD, FACS ‘91 ‘92
On Being a Surgeon
C. Alessandra Colaianni, MD ‘20
Introduced by Regan Bergmark, MD, MPH, FACS, FARS ‘16 ‘17
Mass Eye and Ear at 200: Honoring the Past, Shaping the Future
Konstantina M. Stankovic, MD, PhD, FACS ‘06 ‘08
Introduced by M. Charles Liberman, PhD
Why I Love Mass Eye and Ear
Herbert Silverstein, MD, FACS ‘66
Introduced by Eugene N. Myers, MD, FACS, FRCS Edin. (Hon) ‘65
Nontraditional Teaching Opportunities
Laxmeesh “Mike” Nayak, MD ‘03
Introduced by Michael B. Rho, MD, FACS ‘05
Lessons Learned from Mass Eye and Ear
Richard J. Wong, MD ‘99
Introduced by Derrick T. Lin, MD, FACS ‘98
Mass Eye and Ear Infirmary: The Best of Times
Theodoros N. Teknos, MD ‘96
Introduced by Kevin S. Emerick, MD ‘06
From Plymouth Rock to Paul Revere: Mass Eye and Ear’s 200th
Ralph B. Metson, MD ‘87
Introduced by Stacey Tutt Gray, MD ‘04 ‘05
How a Staid, Storied Institution Embraced and Supported My Non-Traditional Academic Career
Jo Shapiro, MD, FACS ’85 ‘86
Introduced by Nina L. Shapiro, MD ‘96
Salicylate Ototoxicity
Eugene N. Myers, MD, FACS, FRCS Edin. (Hon) ‘65
Introduced by Daniel G. Deschler, MD, FACS
The Inestimable Importance of Massachusetts Eye and Ear in My Life
Jeffrey P. Harris, MD, PhD, FACS ‘79
Introduced by Jeremy D. Richmon, MD ‘08
Mass Eye and Ear 200th Anniversary: Reflections and Connections
Ernest A. Weymuller, Jr., MD ‘73
Introduced by Charles W. Cummings, MD ‘68
Ode to Monty
Charles W. Cummings, MD ‘68 and Mark A. Varvares, MD, FACS ‘91 ‘92
Reflections on a Life in Research
M. Charles Liberman, PhD
Introduced by Konstantina M. Stankovic, MD, PhD, FACS ‘06 ‘08
Vignettes and Humorous Anecdotes
KJ Lee, MD, FACS ‘70
Introduced by Gregory W. Randolph, MD, FACS, FACE ‘92 ‘93
Lifetime Achievement Award: Joseph B. Nadol, Jr., MD ‘75
Presented by Michael J. McKenna, MD ’88 and Steven D. Rauch, MD ‘84
Introduced by Michael B. Rho, MD, FACS ‘05