Dr. Michael Hoffer Commences The Triological Society Presidency
The Miller School of Medicine professor of otolaryngology and neurological surgery lists diversity and inclusion initiatives amongst his primary goals.
Michael Hoffer, M.D., a University of Miami Miller School of Medicine professor of otolaryngology and neurological surgery, has started his year-long role as president of The American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society, known as The Triological Society. He assumed the leadership role in early May 2024 at The Triological Society Annual Meeting at COSM in Chicago, after serving a year as president-elect.
Leading the venerable society is a great honor and responsibility, according to Dr. Hoffer.
“The Triological Society stands out among otolaryngology specialty societies because it is the premier academic society,” Dr. Hoffer said. “And it represents all parts of our specialty, not just ear surgery, which is what I do, or rhinology or otology.”
A Department of National Leaders
Dr. Hoffer’s leadership position is an impressive addition to the many professional society leaders that make up the Miller School’s Department of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery faculty, according to Fred Telischi, M.E.E., M.D., the Miller School’s James R. Chandler Chair in Otolaryngology and professor of otolaryngoloyg, neurological surgery and biomedical engineering.
“These leadership roles reflect our faculty members’ prominence in the field. It also mirrors their commitment to meaningful participation in the major national and international societies,” said Dr. Telischi, who has served as president of the American Neurotology Society and The Triological Society Southern Section vice president. “Among those leaders, Roy Casiano, M.D., vice chairman of clinical affairs and professor of clinical otolaryngology, has served as president of American Rhinological Society.”
Leadership roles like Dr. Hoffer’s result in national exposure and recognition of research and clinical expertise. A significant byproduct is that many of the best and brightest applicants apply to the Miller School’s residency and fellowship positions, leading to the school’s residency program ranking among the top 20 in the U.S., according to Dr. Telischi.
Henri Ford, M.D., M.H.A., dean and chief academic officer of the Miller School has had several professional leadership roles, including his current role as president of the American College of Surgeons. Dean Ford said Dr. Hoffer deserves to be congratulated for his service to patients and elevating the profile of UHealth — University of Miami Health System and the Miller School nationally and internationally.
As a leading physician-scientist, Dr. Hoffer is a role model for trainees and faculty interested in engaging in translational team science at the Miller School, according to Suhrud Rajguru, Ph.D., professor of biomedical engineering and otolaryngology at the University of Miami.
“His selection as the president of The Triological Society is a recognition of his decades-long clinical and translational research contributions,” Dr. Rajguru said.
The New President’s Plans
Dr. Hoffer said he will support important initiatives and add to the society’s platform.
“The Triological Society has tremendous efforts going on in diversity, equity and inclusion, and in examining how otolaryngology is taught and practiced across the country. We’re fueling those programs and planning to emphasize initiatives to increase private practice participation and investing more fully in diversity, equity and inclusion programs underway,” Dr. Hoffer said.
The Miller School has a rich history of participation in The Triological Society, for which members are inducted as members based on a thesis and nominated as fellows based on clinical practice and contributions to the field.
“If you have lots of people on your faculty in The Triological Society, it means you have a very accomplished faculty,” said Dr. Hoffer, the first Miller School faculty member to serve as president of The Triological Society. “And by that metric, we have one of the most accomplished faculties in the country. In fact, half of our otolaryngology faculty are members.”
Faculty leaders assume their roles as part of a departmental community, according to Dr. Hoffer.
“We have a culture of support, and I’ve gotten tremendous support from Dr. Telischi, the department and from the Miller School,” Dr. Hoffer said.
Tags: Dr. Michael Hoffer, otolaryngology, The Triological Society