CHICAGO – Dr. Guy J. Petruzzelli, chief of the Section of Head, Neck and Skull Base Surgery in the Department of Otolaryngology at Rush University Medical Center, received the American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) Distinguished Service Award at the opening ceremony of the 2009 AAO-HNSF Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO, in San Diego, CA, October 4-7. Petruzzelli is a resident of Chicago, IL.

AAO-HNS presents the Distinguished Service Award to medical professionals in recognition of extensive meritorious service through the presentation of instructional courses, scientific papers, participation on a continuing education committee, or Academy leadership position. The AAO-HNSF Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO is the largest gathering of otolaryngologists in the world.

Petruzzelli, a graduate of St. Louis University, received his MD and PhD (anatomical science) degrees from Rush Medical College in 1987. He completed his residency training in general surgery and otolaryngology, followed by a fellowship in advanced head and neck oncology and cranial base surgery at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center in 1993. In 1999, Petruzzelli completed an MBA at Benedictine University in Lisle, Illinois.  

Prior to joining Rush in 2006, Petruzzelli was on the faculty and medical staff at Loyola University Medical Center. While at Loyola, he served as program director for head and neck oncology at the Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center and was chairman of the department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery from 2002 through 2005.   

Petruzzelli’s areas of clinical and research interest are minimally invasive surgery of head, neck and skull tumors, head and neck oncology, cranial base tumors and surgery of the thyroid, larynx, pharynx, oral cavities and skull base. He is the author or co-author of 100 peer review journal articles, has lectured extensively and has been principal investigator or co-investigator on ten clinical trials for head and neck cancer. His accomplishments have been recognized by the American Academy of Otolaryngology with its Honor Award (1998) and its Leadership Certificate (2003) for his contributions to the field. A fellow of the American Academy of Otolaryngology since 1993 and of the Head and Neck Society since 1998, Petruzzelli was elected a fellow of the International Academy of Oral Oncology in 2005. 

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RushUniversity Medical Center includes the 674-bed (staffed) hospital; the Johnston R. Bowman Health Center; and Rush University (Rush Medical College, College of Nursing, College of Health Sciences and the Graduate College).

The American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery (http://www.entnet.org), one of the oldest medical associations in the nation, represents more than 12,000 physicians and allied health professionals who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the ears, nose, throat, and related structures of the head and neck. The Academy serves its members by facilitating the advancement of the science and art of medicine related to otolaryngology and by representing the specialty in governmental and socioeconomic issues. The organization’s vision: “Empowering otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeons to deliver the best patient care.”