Editorial introductions

Current Opinion in Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery was launched in 1993. It is one of a successful series of review journals whose unique format is designed to provide a systematic and critical assessment of the literature as presented in the many primary journals. The fields of otolaryngology and head and neck surgery are divided into 11 sections that are reviewed once a year. Each section is assigned a Section Editor, a leading authority in the area, who identifies the most important topics at that time. Here we are pleased to introduce the Journal's Section Editors for this issue. SECTION EDITORS Ravi Samy and Nael ShomanRavi Samy and Nael ShomanDr Ravi N. Samy, MD, FACS is Chief of the Division of Otology/Neurotology and Associate Professor in the Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Cincinnati / Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, USA. Dr Ravi N. Samy has been a Neurotologist at the University of Cincinnati / Cincinnati Children's Medical Center Gardner Neuroscience Institute and the program director of the Neurotology Fellowship at the UC College of Medicine since 2005. He is also the director of the Adult Auditory Implant Program as well as a Professor of Otolaryngology. Dr Samy was born in what is now known as Chennai, India, and immigrated to the United States at the age of 4. After living for one year in Canton, Ohio and 3 years in Connecticut, he spent most of his formative years living in Texas. He went to Duke University in North Carolina for his undergraduate education. After graduating magna cum laude with a bachelor's degree in zoology, Dr Samy attended the Duke University School of Medicine until his graduation in 1995. He then completed his resident training at Stanford University School of Medicine, where he developed a love for otology, neurotology and skull base surgery. Dr Samy spent two years at the University of Iowa as a Neurotology fellow before moving back to Texas to be an assistant professor at the UT-Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. Dr Samy decided to move to Cincinnati because he was enamored with the phenomenal academic opportunity he found in the Department of Otolaryngology at UCMC and Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC). During his time at UCMC he has created an ACGME accredited, two-year Neurotology fellowship, which is one of approximately 20 in the country. His research interests include cochlear and auditory brainstem implantation as well as acoustic neuromas, neurofibromatosis type 2, facial nerve tumors and other diseases and disorders of the lateral skull base. Dr Samy is also interested in using novel techniques and technologies to eradicate tumors, such as the use oncolytic virotherapy. He is collaborating with researchers in India to incorporate these technologies to enhance global health and increase collaboration between UC and international institutions, thus benefiting both US citizens and those of other nations. Robert HongRobert HongDr Robert S. Hong, MD, PhD is a partner, Chief Financial Officer and Director of Research at Michigan Ear Institute. He is also an Associate Professor in the Department of Otolaryngology- Head & Neck Surgery at Wayne State University, and has joint appointments at Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine and the College of Human Medicine at Michigan State University. Dr Hong received his undergraduate degree at Harvard University and medical degree from the University of California at Irvine. He completed his otolaryngology residency at the University of Iowa and his accredited fellowship in ear and skull base surgery at Michigan Ear Institute. He is board-certified in adult and pediatric Neurotology, Otology, Otolaryngology, and Skull Base Surgery. He has a PhD in Speech and Hearing Sciences from the University of Iowa for his work toward improving the understanding of speech in noise by cochlear implant recipients. He has also completed research fellowships sponsored by the National Institutes of Health and the Doris Duke Foundation. Dr Hong is a member of the American Academy of Otolaryngology- Head & Neck Surgery the American Neurotology Society, the Otosclerosis Study Group, and the Michigan Otolaryngological Society. He is chairman of the ANS Social Media Committee and serves as President-Elect for the Michigan Otolaryngological Society. He has been the principal investigator for numerous clinical studies, including those involving Meniere's disease, tinnitus, otosclerosis, cochlear implants and other implantable hearing devices. Dr Hong is the Chief Medical Director for the Robert H. Mathog Lions Hearing Centers, Lions Foundation of Michigan— a charitable organization dedicated to providing hearing-related services to individuals and communities through screening, diagnosis, treatment, education and research, regardless of ability to pay. He is also a past Chairman of the Lions Hearing Center of Michigan and a past Director of the Lions Hearing Clinic at Michigan Ear Institute.