The UAB Department of Otolaryngology hosted its 21st Annual Ann B. & Julius N. Hicks Lectureship in Otolaryngology and 2026 Residents’ Research Day on April 18 at Valley Hotel in Homewood. See photos from the event.
The annual event serves to give Department of Otolaryngology residents an opportunity to showcase their research while also inviting distinguished lecturers from throughout the country to assist in the education of the residents. The Julius N. Hicks Lectureship in Otolaryngology is possible thanks to an endowment from Dr. and Mrs. Julius N. Hicks, who established the endowed lectureship on Sept. 6, 2006, in celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary. Hicks directed the UAB Division of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, from 1985 to 1992. He passed away on Jan. 5, 2009, at the age of 80.
This year’s Julius N. Hicks Lecturer was Nicole C. Schmitt, M.D., FACS, professor in the Emory University School of Medicine Department of Otolaryngology, and co-director of the Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University Translational Research, Head and Neck Program. Schmitt presented, “Immune Aging: What is it, and why does it matter for head and neck cancer?”
In addition to the lectureship, Department of Otolaryngology residents ranging from PGY3 to PGY5 years gave presentations to attendees and a panel of judges representing distinguished members of the otolaryngology community. This year’s judges included Nicole C. Schmitt, M.D., FACS, Emory University School of Medicine Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University; Brian Sullivan, M.D., Premier Medical Group; Robert Swain Jr., M.D., FACS, FARS, Premier Medical Group; Alice Morgan, M.D., ENT Associates of Alabama; and Richard Waguespack, M.D.
Winners for the 2026 Residents’ Research Day:
1st place: Edward Harris, Jr., M.D., PGY4, “A Novel Education and Screening Tool for Underserved Populations Vulnerable to Head and Neck Cancer Disparities”
2nd place: James Stewart, M.D., PGY4 “Gabapentin Response in Parosmia: A Three-Year Retrospective Review”
Resident Research Grant Award: Michael Conrad Jr., M.D., PGY2, and Lydia Yang, M.D., PGY2