Tribute Giving – Legends in Head & Neck Surgery
The AHNS Foundation is proud to introduce Tribute Giving: Legends in Head and Neck Surgery, a new philanthropic tradition honoring the transformational leaders whose achievements, mentorship, and vision have shaped the field of head and neck surgery.
This initiative is designed as a series of focused Tribute Giving campaigns, each honoring one individual at a time. By advancing Tributes sequentially rather than concurrently, the Foundation ensures clarity of purpose, avoids competing philanthropic efforts, and allows the community to unite around each honoree with the depth, distinction, and impact such recognition deserves.
Contributions made through the AHNS Foundation’s Tribute Giving campaigns advance the Foundation’s mission by supporting research, education, mentorship, and programs that develop the next generation of leaders in head and neck surgical oncology. Together, these Tributes form an enduring legacy—celebrating excellence in our field while investing in its future.
Inaugural Tribute: Randal S. Weber, MD, MScHCT, FACS
It is fitting that the inaugural Tribute of the AHNS Foundation’s Tribute Giving: Legends in Head and Neck Surgery initiative honors Randal S. Weber, MD, MScHCT, FACS—a surgeon, educator, and leader whose career has profoundly shaped the field of head and neck oncology.
Dr. Weber’s career reflects the highest ideals of our specialty: clinical excellence, scientific rigor, mentorship, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to improving the lives of patients. His achievements and influence have elevated head and neck surgery and inspired generations of trainees and colleagues.
This Tribute is dedicated to advancing the next generation of leaders in head and neck surgical oncology by supporting research, education, mentorship, and global collaboration—values that have defined Dr. Weber’s career and legacy.
Gifts made through this Tribute Campaign will support enduring programs aligned with this mission. Depending on the level of support achieved, the Tribute may be realized through a named research grant, trainee fellowship or scholarship, distinguished award, or an international educational forum such as a named lecture or debate. This flexible structure ensures that the Tribute is responsibly scaled to philanthropic support while preserving the integrity, impact, and longevity of Dr. Weber’s honor.
A gift in tribute to Dr. Weber does more than recognize an extraordinary career—it invests in innovation, empowers future surgeon-scientists, strengthens surgical education, and advances the global fight against head and neck cancer.
We invite colleagues, trainees, and friends from across the world to join in honoring Dr. Weber and supporting the mission of the AHNS Foundation.
Randal S. Weber is an internationally recognized surgeon and expert in the treatment of patients with head and neck cancer. He is the immediate past chairman of the Department of Head and Neck Surgery at UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, a position he held for over 14 years. A leader in healthcare initiatives to improve cancer care, Dr. Weber has been instrumental in the efforts to elevate the quality of care and the outcomes achieved through the establishment of performance-driven processes and the adherence to evidence-based treatment guidelines for patients with head and neck cancer. His leadership efforts in promoting quality cancer care that is value driven have been instrumental in creating a national agenda to improve head and neck cancer care. He has served as President of the Society of University Otolaryngologists–Head and Neck Surgeons, the American Radium Society, and the American Head and Neck Society. He is a past President of the American Board of Otolaryngology. Dr. Weber is a prolific author with over 400 publications that include scientific articles, book chapters, and textbooks. From 2016-2021, Dr. Weber served as the first Chief Patient Experience Officer for MD Anderson Cancer Center. In August 2021 he received his Masters of Science in Health Care Transformation from the Value Institute at the University of Texas Dell Medical School and the University of Texas McComb School of Business. Prior to his retirement from MD Anderson in 2023, Dr. Weber served as the Medical Director of The Grateful Giving Program for philanthropic support and the Associate Vice-president for Health Care Advancement and Operations at MD Anderson. In the latter role, he led a team of health professionals that were responsible for institutional new patient access redesign. In 2023, he was appointed at the rank of professor in the Department of Surgery and Perioperative Services at the University of Texas Dell Medical School. He currently serves as division head for otolaryngology-head ad and neck surgery ad interim at Dell Medical School.
Thank You to the Donors of the Tribute Campaign in Honor of Dr. Weber!
Platinum Donors ($10,000+)
| CARYN & MIKE LAOSA | MARK ZAFEREO |
Gold Donors ($5,000 – $9,999)
| STEPHEN LAI | BILL LYDIATT |
Silver Donors ($1,000 – $4,999)
| DONALD DONOVAN | JONATHAN GEORGE | MIRIAM LANGO |
| VLAD SANDULACK | WILLIAM WHITSITT | JOSE ZEVALLOS |
Bronze Donors ($1 – $999)
| KEVIN CONTRERA | PAUL GIDLEY |
Have questions about the Tribute Campaign? Read our FAQ’s.