Related Organizations

The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) is responsible for the accreditation and oversight of residency training programs. It is an independent, not-for-profit, physician-led organization that sets and monitors the professional educational standards essential in preparing physicians to deliver safe, high-quality medical care. The mission of the ACGME is to improve health care and population health by assessing and advancing the quality of resident physicians' education. The Executive Director of the ABOHNS serves as an ex-officio, non-voting member of the Review Committee. 

The ABOHNS is a founding member of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), a not-for-profit organization comprising 24 Member Boards that collectively certify physicians in the United States in specialties and subspecialties. Established in 1933, ABMS assists its Member Boards in developing and implementing professional standards to evaluate and certify physician specialists.  

ABMS Quick Facts 

More than 920,000 active diplomates 
24 member boards 
40 specialties 
87 subspecialties 

The American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS), or “The Academy,” is the world's largest membership organization representing specialists who treat the ear, nose, throat, and related structures of the head and neck. Sometimes confused with the ABOHNS, the AAO-HNS is a completely separate organization from the ABOHNS and has a distinct mission and membership. The AAO-HNS helps its members achieve excellence and provide the best care through professional and public education, research, and health policy advocacy.  

The Academy provides a great deal of educational material and information for residents and practitioners, including publication of the journal Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and The Bulletin. The AAO-HNS creates a large volume of CME-activities covering all aspects of the practice of the specialty and subspecialties. Additionally, its annual meeting offers a wide range of educational opportunities and serves as a yearly coming-together for specialists within the community.  

In addition to The Academy, which is the largest of the sponsoring societies for the ABOHNS, there are 15 other societies representing the diverse subspecialties and interests of Otolaryngologist - Head and Neck Surgeons. Each of these organizations is recognized as an important resource for the Board and provides a unique perspective on the specialty.   

American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS) 
www.aafprs.org 

The American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS) membership is comprised of individuals who focus their practices in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery. The society holds semiannual meetings as well as smaller educational courses throughout the year including participating at the Combined Otolaryngology Spring Meetings (COSM).The AAFPRS publishes in the Facial Plastic Surgery and Aesthetic Medicine journal.

American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy (AAOA) 
www.aaoallergy.org 

The American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy’s (AAOA) members’ practices include the diagnosis and treatment of allergic disease. The AAOA actively supports its membership through education, research, and advocacy in the care of allergic patients. It meets annually in conjunction with the AAO-HNS and has other educational conferences at various times of the year. The AAOA, in conjunction with the American Rhinologic Society (ARS), publishes the International Forum of Allergy and Rhinology. 

American Broncho-Esophagological Association (ABEA) 
www.abea.net 

The American Broncho-Esophagological Association (ABEA) is a society of physicians, researchers, and allied professionals who share their expertise in Broncho-Esophagology and meet annually during the Combined Otolaryngology Spring Meetings (COSM) for scholarly presentations on matters relevant to the science and practice of their specialty.  

American Head and Neck Society (AHNS) 
https://www.ahns.info/ 

The purpose of the American Head and Neck Society (AHNS) is to promote and advance the knowledge of prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of neoplasms and other diseases of the head and neck; research in diseases of the head and neck; and the highest professional and ethical standards. The AHNS holds an annual meeting during the Combined Otolaryngology Spring Meetings (COSM) as well as other educational forums during the year. Every four years, the AHNS organizes an international meeting. 

American Laryngological Association (ALA) 
www.alahns.org 

The American Laryngological Association (ALA) is a scholarly organization of physicians and scientists who have made significant contributions to the care of patients with disorders of the larynx and upper aerodigestive tract. The ALA meets annually during the Combined Otolaryngology Spring Meetings (COSM). 

American Laryngological, Rhinological, and Otological Society (The Triological Society)  
www.triological.org 

The American Laryngological, Rhinological, and Otological Society, aka The Triological Society, is the senior society in otolaryngology. In order to attain Fellow Membership, candidates are required to write and have a thesis accepted. Annually, The Triological Society meets in January for the Combined Sections Meeting and additionally as part of the Combined Otolaryngology Spring Meetings (COSM) to share research and related scholarly activity. The Triological Society has three publications, The Laryngoscope, Laryngoscope Investigative Otolaryngology, and ENTtoday. 

American Neurotology Society (ANS) 
www.americanneurotologysociety.com 

The American Neurotology Society (ANS) is committed to improving public health care through the provision of high-quality continuing medical education (CME) to our members. The overall goal of the ANS CME committee is to provide CME activities that will address the knowledge gaps and enhance the clinical competence of the participants. The ANS meets annually during the Combined Otolaryngology Spring Meetings (COSM) and also in the fall usually immediately prior to the Annual Meeting of the AAO-HNS/F. 

American Otological Society (AOS) 
www.americanotologicalsociety.org 

The American Otological Society (AOS) was established to foster dialog on, and dissemination of, information pertaining to advances in the understanding and management of otologic and neurotologic disorders. The AOS meets annually during the Combined Otolaryngology Spring Meetings (COSM) and also in the fall, usually immediately prior to the Annual Meeting of the AAO-HNS/F. 

American Rhinologic Society (ARS) 
www.american-rhinologic.org 

The American Rhinologic Society (ARS) promotes excellence in the care of patients with disorders of the nose, sinuses, and skull base through research, education and advocacy. The ARS meets during the Combined Otolaryngology Spring Meetings (COSM) as well as smaller educational meetings during the year. The ARS, in conjunction with the American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy (AAOA), publishes the International Forum of Allergy and Rhinology (IFAR). 

American Society of Geriatric Otolaryngology (ASGO)
www.geriatricotolaryngology.org 

The American Society of Geriatric Otolaryngology (ASGO) is comprised of Otolaryngologists and allied professionals dedicated to the field of Geriatric Otolaryngology. With changing demographics in American society, the emphasis on medical conditions and quality of life in the aging population is growing dramatically. The mission of the ASGO is to promote the generation and dissemination of knowledge to benefit the geriatric patient with disorders of the ears, nose, throat, head, and neck. 

American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology (ASPO) 
www.aspo.us 

The American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology (ASPO) was established to foster excellence in the care of children with otorhinolaryngologic disorders by promoting education and collaborative research, and to share and disseminate advances and innovations in patient care. It meets annually during the Combined Otolaryngology Spring Meetings (COSM). 

Association of Academic Departments of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (AADO) 
www.suo-aado.org 

The Association of Academic Departments of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (AADO) is comprised of the chairs of departments of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery. Its mission is to provide for the exchange of ideas and relevant information germane to the practice of medicine in an academic setting. The organization meets semi-annually to discuss issues related to its membership. 

The Otolaryngology Program Directors Organization (OPDO) 
www.suo-aado.org 

The Otolaryngology Program Directors Organization (OPDO) provides program directors and academic faculty with a national forum for discussion and implementation of training techniques for residents and fellows in the field of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery and meets in conjunction with the Society of University Otolaryngologists - Head and Neck Surgeons (SUO). 

Section of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery of the American Medical Association (AMA) 
www.ama-assn.org 

The American Medical Association (AMA) is dedicated to driving medicine toward a more equitable future on multiple fronts, supporting physicians in delivering quality care, practice management, education, advocacy, and practical services such as insurance. The AMA lends its strength to physicians in courts and legislative bodies, and generally aims to remove obstacles that interfere with a physician’s primary goal of patient care and ensuring public health. The AMA is composed of Sections, and the Section of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery is one of these.  

Society of University Otolaryngologists – Head and Neck Surgeons (SUO) 
www.suo-aado.org 

The Society of University Otolaryngologists – Head and Neck Surgeons (SUO) provides for the exchange of ideas and relevant information germane to the practice of medicine in an academic setting. Career development strategies emphasizing the academic milieu are considered essential. The society meets once a year in the fall.