Baileys Give $150,000 to Create Distinguished Otology Lectureship

By Benjamin Waldrum

The Sharon and Dr. Ted Bailey Distinguished Lectureship in Otology will support lectures, seminars and other education forums that will allow UAMS to invite and host renowned physicians and researchers as guest speakers to share their knowledge and advances in the field. Otology is the study of the anatomy and diseases of the ear.

“Sharon and I are pleased to continue our support of UAMS by bringing renowned otologic physicians and researchers to share the latest developments in this field,” said Ted Bailey. “Our goal for this distinguished lectureship series is to keep UAMS at the forefront of otologic care and thereby benefit the many thousands of Arkansans who suffer from hearing loss and other ear problems.”

Ted Bailey, a 1947 College of Medicine graduate, taught UAMS medical students and residents for many years, including a young James Suen, M.D. Suen, a distinguished professor in the College of Medicine, served as chair of the Department of Otolaryngology for 43 years.

“Dr. Bailey gave lectures to me when I was a student,” said Suen. “When I was a resident in training, I spent time in his office and he spent a lot of time teaching me. We became good friends after I became chairman of the department, and that relationship has grown over the years. I am thankful that this lectureship will honor Dr. Bailey indefinitely and greatly enhance the education of our residents and faculty. Dr. Bailey was one of the premier otologic surgeons in the U.S. He has restored hearing in thousands of patients.”

The lectureship will benefit the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery in the College of Medicine, which Ted Bailey oversaw for several years when it was still a division.

“Dr. Ted Bailey is an icon for ear surgery in Arkansas,” said John Dornhoffer, M.D., chair of the Department of Otolaryngology. “This generous gift will allow us to bring national and international experts in hearing and balance disorders as invited lecturers to continue this tradition of excellence in otology.”

The department plans to expand research in hearing loss and cochlear implantation in addition to its renowned research in head and neck cancers and vascular malformations, Dornhoffer said.