Legacy of Excellence Digital Flipbook

LEGACY OF EXCELLENCE: NEIL O. WARD, MD, MALS INTERIM EVP FROM 1999 – 2000 AND DEPUTY EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT FROM 2000 - 2005

A fter graduating from the University of Arizona, Neil O. Ward, MD, MALS, entered the United States Air Force for pilot training but declined a commission after his initial service ended knowing that he felt called to practice medicine. He applied and was accepted to medical school at George Washington University in Washington, DC. Later in life, he returned to Washington to earn a Master of Arts in Liberal Studies (MALS) degree from Georgetown University. During a general rotating internship in surgery, medicine, OB GYN, pediatrics, and emergency medicine in Salt Lake City, Utah, Dr. Ward had a two-week elective to complete. There were two otolaryngologists supervising his rotation, and after spending a week with each, he knew that he wanted to practice otolaryngology. After completing his residency at the Los Angeles VA, he and his wife, Barbara, returned to Arizona to practice where he joined the Maricopa County Medical Society, the Arizona Society of Otolaryngology, and the Arizona Medical Association, eventually being elected president of each organization. Former AAO-HNS/F President Loring W. Pratt, MD, was a mentor to Dr. Ward and appointed him as a representative to the American Medical Association (AMA). “At the time, it seemed like a logical step,” Dr. Ward explained, “because of my experience in the county and state societies.” After becoming more active in the Academy and assuming leadership roles, he served as AAO-HNS/F President from 1995-1996. Dr. Ward was widely recognized as a politically astute and effective leader. His time as President was highlighted by preparations for the AAO-HNS/F centennial celebration in 1996. He promoted the phrase “ear, nose, and throat” instead of otolaryngology as a

way to engage with the public and non-clinicians in a more user-friendly, understandable language, a practice still in use today. After Michael D. Maves, MD, MBA, left the position of AAO-HNS/F Executive Vice President (EVP) to become EVP of the AMA in October 1999, Dr. Ward was asked to take over as Interim EVP. Writing in the November 1999 Bulletin he said, “As your Interim EVP, I will build on Dr. Maves’ many successes emphasizing our efforts in public education, patient care, and physician competence. Collecting and managing information in all these areas increases our value to you

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