News & Press

Robert W. Cantrell, MD, passed away April 26, 2026

Fri, 1 May 2026 00:33:00 GMT

Robert W. Cantrell, MD, a Triological Fellow since 1974, and 1991 Southern Section Vice President, passed away April 26, 2026.

Shared by Stephen S. Park, MD

With a very heavy heart I write to share that Dr. Robert (Bob) Cantrell has left us. He passed Sunday evening, April 26th, at home and is now with his lovely wife, Lee. He had just turned 93.

Dr. Cantrell was the first full time chair of the department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Virginia, coming into this position in 1976. He founded the renown Fitz-Hugh symposium that year and it remains a respected and well attended symposium to this day. He was the epitome of the Greatest Generation having served in the Navy and was stationed In Tokyo when he met his wife, Lee. He was the president of nearly every major Otolaryngology association and served as the Southern Section Vice President of the Triological Society in 1991. He was the recipient of the Mosher Award for his thesis titled “Prolonged Exposure to Intermittent Noise”. He served as the EVP of the American Board of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery from 1990 - 1998, and was the EVP and Provost of the Health System at UVA.

He will be interred in Arlington with his wife.

Aristides Sismanis, MD, passed away March 20, 2026

Wed, 1 Apr 2026 19:08:00 GMT

Aristides Sismanis, MD, a Triological Fellow since 1987, passed away March 20, 2026.

Dear Members & Friends,

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Dr. Aristides "Ari" Sismanis, who passed away on March 20, 2026, at the age of 76.

Dr. Sismanis was an active Fellow member of the American Neurotology Society, inducted in 1987. He was later inducted as a Fellow of the American Otological Society in 1993. He attended every meeting I can remember, greeting us with the warmest smile and always offering a kind word of appreciation.

Dr. Sismanis will be fondly remembered as a compassionate and skilled surgeon, a devoted teacher, and a mentor who profoundly impacted the lives of many. His warm and friendly demeanor left a lasting impression on all who had the privilege of knowing him.

To read more about Dr. Sismanis' life, click here.

With warm regards,
Kristen Bordignon
ANS/AOS Administrator

Douglas W. Frerichs, MD FACS, passed away May 14, 2025

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 15:44:00 GMT

Douglas W. Frerichs, MD FACS, a Triological Fellow since 1972, passed away May 14, 2025.

Dr. Frerichs' obituary can be found here.

John S. May, MD FACS, passed away December 11, 2025

Fri, 2 Jan 2026 22:59:00 GMT

John S. May, MD FACS, a Triological Fellow since 2011, passed away December 11, 2025

Dr. J. Dale Brown shared the following tribute with the Triological Society

John S. May MD passed away after a lengthy illness on December 11, 2025. A Triological Society member, Dr. May was a graduate of the Bowman Gray School of Medicine of Wake Forest University in 1982 and completed a residency in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in 1987. He joined the faculty of the Department of Otolaryngology after residency and practiced otology until he retired as Emeritus Professor in 2020.

John was a compassionate, skilled surgeon, and physician. He was admired by all, loved by his patients, and expressed consistent enthusiasm, always caring for others. He had thousands of patients, and all knew he loved caring for them. His staff and colleagues miss his wisdom and unique character that brought smiles to all during his 40 career here at the Wake Forest School of Medicine. His former residents will never forget his passion for medicine and common-sense advice on managing patients and life in general.

During his career, Dr. May was annually involved in teaching educational otology courses in Zurich, Switzerland and was known as well by many in Europe for his skill and commitment to their education. He co-authored in 1994 an important otologic surgery primer with his fellowship mentor Professor Ugo Fisch of Zurich, Tympanoplasty, Mastoidectomy and Stapes Surgery.

Dr. May’s obituary can be viewed here.

Vijay K. Anand, MD FACS, passed away October 23, 2025

Mon, 27 Oct 2025 16:51:00 GMT

Vijay K. Anand, MD FACS, a Triological Fellow since 1990, passed away October 23, 2025.

The following tribute was written by Dr. Ashutosh Kacker "Dr. Vijay Anand was a giant in the field of Otolaryngology with an expertise in sinus and skull base surgery. Dr. Anand was born in southern India, studied medicine in Madras, and began a cardiothoracic residency in India. He moved to New York and eventually matriculated into an Otolaryngology residency at Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital. He completed a Head and Neck Surgery fellowship in Pittsburgh like many of our colleagues who specialized in cranial base surgery. Dr. Anand had a huge practice in New York City at Manhattan Eye and Ear hospital. He eventually joined Weil Cornell Medical College as a Clinical Professor, had a beautiful office on Park Avenue and was the Rhinologist to the stars. He was a pioneer in Rhinology and especially endoscopic cranial base surgery with his neurosurgery colleagues. He was a leader in all our major societies including the Triological Society, president of the American Rhinologic Society, published over 200 manuscripts, travelled the world lecturing, authored numerous textbooks, and was an innovator until the end. Dr. Anand was a major advocate for his patients and would frequently say, “do what’s right for the patient and everything else will fall in place”. His trainees are beyond thankful to have Dr. Anand as a mentor and friend. Dr. Anand recently passed away, his memory is a blessing and after some health issues we trust that he is at peace."

Harvey M. Tucker, MD, passed away August 17, 2025

Tue, 9 Sep 2025 19:24:00 GMT

Harvey M. Tucker, MD, a Triological Fellow since 1977, 1987 Middle Section Vice President, passed away August 17, 2025

Dr. Tucker’s obituary can be found here

Thomas J. Balkany, MD FACS, passed away July 29, 2025

Wed, 6 Aug 2025 18:36:00 GMT

Thomas J. Balkany, MD FACS, a Triological Fellow since 1985, 2009 Southern Section Vice President, passed away July 29, 2025

Dr. Michael Hoffer shared the following tribute with the Triological Society "It is my sad duty to report that Tom Balkany has passed away. Tom’s Triologic legacy was carrying on the early emphasis on the importance of the Triological Society in the faculty at the University of Miami. He was among the individuals who helped bring cochlear implantation and hearing health care into the mainstream. His legacy will live on in our department and the lives he has touched."

Dr. Balkany's University of Miami notice of death can be found here

Dr. Balkany's Wikipedia recognition can be found here

Richard C. Parsons, MD, passed away March 30, 2024

Mon, 2 Dec 2024 19:27:00 GMT

Richard C. Parsons, MD, a Triological Fellow since 1965, passed away March 30, 2024.

Dr. Parson's obituary can be viewed here.