AOS MEMBERSHIP - APPLICANT & PROPOSER INSTRUCTIONS

THE ONLINE APPLICATION ALONG WITH ALL SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS FOR ALL CANDIDATES MUST BE SUBMITTED BY SEPTEMBER 1^st OF THE CURRENT CALENDAR YEAR. IF ELECTED FOR AOS MEMBERSHIP, THE CANDIDATE WOULD BE INDUCTED AT THE NEXT ANNUAL SPRING MEETING.

DUE TO LABOR DAY being SEPTEMBER 1^st this year, applications will be due
on SEPTEMBER 5, 2025 for consideration in 2026.  

Before you begin, please read the updated AOS APPLICANT/PROPOSER GUIDELINES

YOU MAY ACCESS THE ONLINE APPLICATION HERE. 

Please be prepared to attach: (For administrative purposes, please submit in WORD format, with the exception of LOR, they can be pdf) 

• CV must include a list of publications and/or a significant body of work (most recent first)
• PERSONAL STATEMENT 
• The statement must provide a description of your contributions thus far that are singular and independent in the field of otology (see above criteria for Fellow candidacy)
• Provide your plans for continued, sustained scholarship,  planned ongoing participation in the society, and continued contribution to the field of Otology.
• One page, no smaller than 11 font, 500 words or less
• TWO LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION (*see below for guidelines) 

Please be sure you have all of the above before you begin the application. Once you begin, please be prepared to complete the application in its entirety as you cannot go back and finish. 

*Two electronic letters of recommendation must be digitally signed on official letterhead scanned and saved as a .pdf and attached to the application at the time of submission. Current members of the AOS Council may not serve in the capacity of primary or secondary proposers. Proposers: Please do not send your LOR to the AOS office, applicants must attach it to their online application. 
The first and/or second proposer will be invited to introduce their Candidate at the Annual President's Reception/Banquet in conjunction with COSM.  The applicant, proposer and seconder should carefully adhere to these guidelines. 

WE DO NOT ACCEPT HARD COPIES. If you have questions, please email Kristen Bordignon, at [email protected]  

AOS Administrative Office
ATTN: David R. Friedland, MD, PhD
Secretary-Treasurer
5830 1^st St North
St. Petersburg, FL 33703
                                                                                                                                                                         

The following qualifications are required for proposal of a Candidate for FELLOW MEMBERSHIP in the American Otological Society:
(revised June 2024)

i. Shall have earned a Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree.

ii. Shall hold primary Otolaryngology certification by the American Board of Otolaryngology Head Neck Surgery (ABO-HNS) or by an equivalent certifying body acceptable to the Council.

iii. Shall have engaged primarily in the practice of at least one of the following disciplines: otology, neurotology, or lateral skull base surgery for eight or more years following the completion of their training. (For MD/DO or equivalent candidates, completion is considered the finish of residency training. (Clinical fellowship training in neurotology or otology counts toward the 8 years of otologic focus.)

iv. Shall have demonstrated a degree of knowledge and ability in at least one of the following disciplines: otology, neurotology, or lateral skull base surgery to warrant consideration for membership.

v. Shall have carried out their patient care responsibilities with professional competence, intellectual honesty, and high ethical standards.

vi. Shall have an outstanding record of generating new and significant knowledge in otology, clinical excellence in otology, service to other otologic organizations and societies, and/or service to the American Otological Society.  Accordingly, the Proposer’s letter sent to the AOS Council should evaluate the Candidate’s achievement with respect to:

• Impact, innovation and quality of contributions
• Generating new knowledge of significance to otology
• Mentorship and excellence in teaching
• Leadership roles and program building
• Clinical distinction as an otologist
• Contributions to the goals of the American Otological Society

vii. Shall have the right to vote and to serve on the Council.

Two AOS members (Fellow and/or senior Fellow) must propose the Candidate.  Each proposer must provide the applicant with a letter of recommendation on official letterhead that will be attached to his/her application.  The proposer and seconder should carefully adhere to the Guidelines above. This letter will be viewed by eligible voting members via electronic ballot. Current members of the AOS Council may not serve in the capacity of primary or secondary proposers.

PLEASE NOTE: Your regular attendance at the Annual AOS meeting is expected.

From the AOS Bylaws:

7.7.0 Attendance. Any Active member who is absent from three consecutive annual meetings without reason satisfactory to the Council shall be dropped from membership in the Society and shall be notified to that effect by the Secretary-Treasurer. Any member so dropped from membership may be reinstated only by three-fourths vote of the council on presentation of valid justification for such reinstatement.

If candidacy criteria are met, additional activities representing engagement in a sustained career dedicated to otology will be considered for acceptance as a Fellow of the AOS. Evidence of unique and directed contribution to otology - especially as reflected by completion of a Triological Society Thesis (TRIO membership not required), or work judged by the Council to be of equivalent quality.  Consideration is also given to the completion of a series of publications focused on specific area of interest, and publications resulting from funded research grants. 

The following qualifications are required for proposal of a Candidate for ASSOCIATE OR CORRESPONDING FELLOW MEMBERSHIP in the American Otological Society.   

Associate Fellow:  The Candidate is not an MD/DO or clinical otologist but is considered worthy of membership in the Society because of their contributions to otology and related disciplines. Examples of Associate Fellows are those holding PhD, AuD or similar degrees.

• Shall be 8 or more years following the completion of their training.
  • For Associate Fellow candidates, completion is considered the time of acquiring their terminal/highest degree.

Corresponding Fellow:  The Candidate is a physician or clinical otologist practicing outside the United States or Canada and ineligible for Active Fellow status due to lack of ABO-HNS or equivalent certification. The candidate, however, is considered worthy of membership in the Society because of their contributions to clinical otology.

• Shall be 8 or more years following the completion of their training.
  • For Corresponding Fellow candidates, completion is considered the time of completing residency or equivalent clinical training.