MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
The Membership Development and Community Engagement Committee is pleased to announce TWO outstanding recipients of the 2025/26 Under-Represented in Medicine Travel Grant.
The next cycle of applications for the 2026-2027 academic year begins May 1 - June 15, 2026
Congratulations Adriana!
Adriana Báez Berríos is a fourth-year medical student at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in NYC and was born and raised in Puerto Rico. She is deeply committed to community service through her work with the East Harlem Health Outreach Partnership (EHHOP), Mount Sinai’s student-run free clinic, where she serves as a senior student clinician. Adriana is also passionate about research, with multiple publications and presentations at national meetings, including COSM and ACIA. Under the guidance of Dr. Cosetti and Dr. Perez, her recent work examines cochlear implantation in patients with single-sided deafness, focusing on outcomes such as speech perception, device usage, and decisional regret. She created a preclinical otolaryngology elective for medical students at her institution and participates in a Mount Sinai certification program that trains bilingual medical students to care for Spanish-speaking patients without the need for an interpreter, promoting linguistically and culturally responsive care. Adriana will receive mentorship from Dr. Simon Angeli at the University of Miami and Dr. Esther Vivas at Emory University during her rotations. She is excited to pursue a career in otolaryngology and looks forward to contributing to the field through compassionate care, research, and education.
Reflections from Dr. Báez Berríos
"Receiving the ANS Diversity and Inclusion Committee URiM Travel Scholarship was an incredible opportunity that allowed me to complete visiting rotations in otolaryngology at the University of Miami and Emory University. These experiences provided exposure to the full spectrum of otolaryngology, including otology, from intricate surgical procedures to comprehensive outpatient care, and deepened my appreciation for the precision, collaboration, and patient-centered approach that define the field.
During these rotations, I had the chance to meet Dr. Simon Angeli and Dr. Esther Vivas, whose mentorship and insights were invaluable. Interacting with dedicated faculty and residents across both institutions strengthened my commitment to pursuing a career in otolaryngology and underscored the importance of mentorship and representation in surgical training. These experiences also reaffirmed the kind of surgeon and mentor I hope to become, one who values curiosity, empathy, and inclusion in every aspect of care.
I am deeply grateful to the American Neurotology Society for this scholarship and for its commitment to fostering diversity, inclusion, and mentorship. It was a privilege to meet ANS members at both UMiami and Emory and to feel part of such a welcoming and inspiring community."
Congratulations Eric!
Eric Perez is a fourth-year medical student at the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine with a strong interest in Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. He is dedicated to improving access to specialty care across Puerto Rico through community outreach initiatives. As co-founder and President of a student-led organization that creates and organizes health clinics in underserved communities, Eric has helped bring essential preventive and specialty services to those with limited access.
He also serves as President of his institution’s ENT Interest Group and as Mentorship Chair for his school’s chapter of the Latino Medical Student Association, where he leads programs aimed at supporting and guiding future medical students. His research focuses on ENT disparities and workforce throughout the island, aiming to better understand local care gaps and develop strategies to deliver more effective and equitable care to Puerto Rican communities.
Eric has presented his work at national conferences and remains committed to combining clinical care, research, and leadership to improve patient outcomes. He is set to receive mentorship from Dr. Daniel Roberts at the University of Connecticut as part of this travel grant opportunity.
Reflections from Dr. Perez
"Being underrepresented in medicine often means navigating challenges that extend far beyond academics. It shapes how we communicate, how we listen, and how deeply we understand the needs of patients who, like us, may come from communities that have historically lacked representation and support. It also means carrying a perspective formed by resilience, one that recognizes the weight of opportunity and the responsibility that comes with it. For this reason, receiving the ANS Diversity and Inclusion Committee URiM Travel Grant was profoundly meaningful. It did more than financially support my first rotation outside of Puerto Rico; it affirmed that voices like mine, and the communities we represent, have a place in spaces where we have not always been seen.
My rotation at the University of Connecticut under the mentorship of Dr. Daniel Roberts was transformative. Dr. Roberts exemplified what it means to be a true educator—patient, attentive, and deeply invested in my learning. Through him and the rest of the UConn ENT team, I was immersed in an environment where scientific innovation, surgical mastery, and humanistic patient care coexist seamlessly. I learned not only the academic foundations and the decades of advancement that define our field, but also the subtle art of caring for patients with clarity, humility, and presence.
Some of the most meaningful moments of this rotation occurred when I encountered Spanish-speaking patients. Their warmth, their trust, and simple expressions like “I’m glad you are here” were powerful reminders of why representation matters. In those encounters, I felt both the responsibility and the privilege of serving patients who rarely see themselves reflected in the healthcare system. These interactions grounded me—they reaffirmed that I am pursuing the right path and that my identity is not a barrier but a bridge.
Throughout the rotation, I gained invaluable exposure across outpatient clinics, the operating room, and inpatient settings. Each experience deepened my commitment to otolaryngology. This specialty stands at the crossroads of anatomy, function, identity, and quality of life. Helping patients breathe, speak, hear, and reconnect with essential parts of themselves is not only a technical endeavor but also a profoundly human one. That is what inspires me about this specialty and solidifies my commitment to pursue it wholeheartedly.
I am profoundly grateful to the University of Connecticut for welcoming me with generosity and for fostering an environment where I could grow both professionally and personally. Most importantly, I extend my sincere appreciation to the American Neurotology Society. This grant not only supported my education—it allowed me to connect with mentors, colleagues, and future collaborators who have already shaped the physician I hope to become. It is an opportunity I will carry with me as I continue my training and strive to contribute meaningfully to the ever-evolving field of otolaryngology."
Click here to check out the 2024 COOL OTO EVENT
at Booker T. Washington High School in Miami!
Membership Development and Community Engagement Members
Michael Hoa, MD, (Chair)
Adam Kaufman, MD
Angela Peng, MD
Carla Valenzuela, MD
Charlotte Hughes, MD
Adam Thompson-Harvey, MD
Michael Hoffer, MD
Stephania Goncalves, MD
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