Dr. William Yao Selected Faculty Member of the Year by ORL Residents
Each year, the faculty of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth recognizes an outstanding resident, and residents have the opportunity to name the faculty member they feel has made the greatest impact on their learning experience. This year, ORL residents recognized William C. Yao, MD, an assistant professor specializing in rhinology and anterior skull base surgery, for his strong interests in residency education and the development of teaching instruments.
Dr. Yao considers the recognition a great honor. “I learn as much or more from the residents as they learn from me,” he says. “Teaching forces us as faculty members to remain sharp, and offers us the opportunity to gain new insights. Residents ask questions that generate new ideas, which benefits all of us in the department and ultimately leads to medical advances. This award is not mine alone. I share it with my past and current mentors and faculty colleagues.”
Dr. Yao received his medical degree at the University of Colorado Health Science Center School of Medicine, where he was inducted into Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. He completed his residency at Baylor College of Medicine, where he was recognized with the 2014 Resident Teaching Award, and went on to complete a fellowship in rhinology and anterior skull base surgery at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary/Harvard Medical School.
Fluent in English and Japanese, he is the author of chapters in many textbooks, as well as numerous articles published in peer-reviewed journals. His clinical interests are in paranasal sinus disease, endoscopic sinus, skull base and orbital surgery. He serves as a co-director of the McGovern Medical School Rhinology and Skull Base Fellowship, with Amber Luong, MD, PhD., an associate professor and research director in the department, and Martin Citardi, MD, professor and chair of the department.
“Dr. Yao joined our faculty two years ago, and from the beginning he expressed an interest in resident education,” Dr. Citardi says. “He clearly takes our education mission seriously. He’s a patient, calm and insightful teacher, and a strong advocate for our residents.”