Nationally Recognized Surgeon and Leader Joining Jacobs School as Chair of Otolaryngology

Dear Jacobs School community, 

I am pleased to announce that Troy D. Woodard, MD, is joining the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo as chair of the Department of Otolaryngology, effective Feb. 1, 2026. He will also serve as president and chief executive officer of University at Buffalo Otolaryngology and will provide clinical services at Erie County Medical Center, Western New York’s only Level 1 Adult Trauma Center and regional hub for trauma care.

Dr. Woodard is an internationally respected surgeon, educator and physician-leader whose career reflects excellence, innovation and a deep commitment to advancing care and training the next generation.

He joins UB with a distinguished record of advancing his field. At the Cleveland Clinic, he not only led rhinology, sinus and skull base surgery as section head, but also drove operational excellence as director of the Beachwood Ambulatory Surgery Center. Holding the rank of professor at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University, he shaped the next generation of specialists. His leadership and innovations have set new standards and influenced the future of otolaryngology, head and neck surgery worldwide.

Most recently, he served as president of the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) — the world’s largest professional society in the field, representing over 14,000 members globally. His election was groundbreaking: only the second African American and among the youngest physicians ever to hold this prestigious role in the academy’s 129-year history. 

Dr. Woodard has also held numerous national leadership positions, including chair of the AAO-HNS Board of Governors, exam council member of the American Board of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, chief diversity officer of the American Rhinologic Society, chair of the otolaryngology section of the National Medical Association, and president of the Harry Barnes Medical Society, organization dedicated to promoting diversity and supporting underrepresented groups in the field of otolaryngology, head and neck surgery.

With deep expertise in complex sinus and skull base disorders — including chronic sinusitis, nasal polyps, cerebrospinal fluid leaks, and sinonasal tumors — he focuses on minimally invasive, image-guided techniques that enhance safety and speed recovery. His impact extends beyond the operating room: he has delivered hundreds of invited lectures worldwide and authored an extensive collection of peer-reviewed publications and book chapters, driving innovation in sinus and skull base surgery.

Dr. Woodard is also a passionate advocate for mentorship, leadership development and equity in medicine. He has founded national mentorship initiatives for medical students and residents, directed the Cleveland Clinic’s Advanced Rhinology and Endoscopic Skull Base Fellowship, and guided dozens of trainees who now serve as faculty at leading academic centers. His advocacy on Capitol Hill for physician wellness, Medicare reform, and equitable access to care underscores his commitment to shaping health care policy.

Dr. Woodard’s many honors include recognition as the Hinton Gladney Award from the National Medical Association and listings in Cleveland Magazine’s Top Doctors for five consecutive years. 

Looking ahead, Dr. Woodard’s leadership promises to accelerate growth and innovation across our clinical, research and educational missions. By fostering collaboration and a culture of empowerment, he is poised to shape a department where every voice matters and every idea can spark progress. The impact will be far-reaching, transforming patient care, inspiring learners, and strengthening the health of communities throughout Western New York and beyond.

I would also like to extend my gratitude to the otolaryngology chair search committee, including Robert F. McCormack, MD, EMBA '14, associate dean for ambulatory strategy and chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine, who chaired the committee, for their expertise and support during this important transition. 

Thank you also to Steven D. Schwaitzberg, MD, who has served as interim chair of the otolaryngology since February. Dr. Woodard succeeds David A. Sherris, MD, who served as chair of the department from 2005-2025.

Warmly,

Allison Brashear, MD, MBA
Dean, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
Vice President for Health Sciences
President and CEO, UBMD Physicians' Group