MISSION
Founded in 1878, the ALA is a scholarly organization of physicians and scientists who have made significant contributions to the care of patients with disorders of the larynx and upper aerodigestive tract. The ALA recognizes the accomplishments of these individuals through membership, seeks to encourage research in laryngology and elevate the standards of the fundamental teaching of laryngology in medical schools and postgraduate medical education.
VISION
The ALA seeks to advance research and teaching in laryngology by sponsoring an annual meeting, publishing manuscripts from this meeting in its transactions and peer-reviewed journal, providing grants for research, awarding outstanding research among residents and fellows in training and recognizing individuals who have made significant contributions in laryngology throughout their careers by confirming endowed awards.
The annual meeting of the ALA convenes during the Combined Otolaryngology Spring Meetings (COSM). The purpose of the meeting is to present advances in the field of laryngology by means of an annual scientific program for presentation of new research/information, panel discussions, and scholarly lectures. Members and non-members, especially residents in training, are invited to submit abstracts in consideration for presentation as well as for consideration of the following awards:
The Casselberry Award has been established to encourage the advancement of the art and science of Laryngology. The award is given for outstanding manuscripts or accomplishments in Laryngology and consists of a suitable sum of money (up to $1,000) and a certificate from the Association. A manuscript must be submitted for review by a committee appointed annually by the Association’s President. Competition for this Award will be limited to those persons whose abstracts are selected for inclusion as an oral presentation in the Annual Scientific Program.
For consideration of the Resident Research Award, residents must request at the time of abstract submission for consideration of the Resident Research Award by responding to the the appropriate question. The abstract will be reviewed for exemplary content by the Program Committee. To be considered for this Award, the presenting author must have not completed his/her residency training.
In consideration for the Young Faculty/Practitioner Award, the presenting author in academic practice must hold the title of assistant professor and be up to five years in practice. An author in non-academic practice is eligible for the award up to five years after completion of training. Request must be made at time of submitting the abstract by checking the appropriate box on the abstract form.
The proceedings of each meeting are published annually in the Transactions and manuscripts from presentations at the meeting are peer reviewed by the editorial board of the ALA official journal, The Laryngoscope.
The ALA sponsors research activity through its research entity, the American Laryngological Research & Education Foundation (ALVRE). Information pertaining to research applications may be found under the tab, Research Grants.
Nomination for ALA Membership
Becoming a Fellow of the American Laryngological Association
Membership in the ALA is an honor as members are recognized by their peers as specialists in the management of diseases of the upper aerodigesitve tract. This includes diseases or dysfunction related to voice production, swallowing and breathing. Membership, for all classes, is by invitation. Each candidate for admission must be proposed by one Active Fellow, and seconded by another Active Fellow. In addition to support from two (2) Active Fellows, all applicants for Active, Corresponding, and Associate Fellowship and Post-Graduate Membership must complete an application. These applications are available on the secure page to Active Fellows in good standing after login. The application should be completed by the applicant and returned to the Proposers for their signatures. Photographs and original signatures are required. At this time we are unable to accept these electronically; however, the application is acceptable via email to the Administrator’s Office if the photo is clearly viewable.
Membership Categories
Members of the organization shall be designated as “Fellows” and shall consist of the following six classes:
Active – Active Fellows should not exceed two hundred fifty (200) in number. A candidate for Active Fellowship must be a duly licensed physician, admitted to practice in the country in which he/she resides, and must have been a recognized specialist in the diseases of the upper aerodigestive tract for a period of seven (7) years. The candidate must be a diplomat of the American Board of Otolaryngology or its equivalent as determined by the Council. The candidate must be a member of the American Laryngological, Rhinological, and Otological Society, Inc. – Triological Society. He/She must have, within a five (5) year period, documented evidence of attending three (3) annual meeting of the ALA and served as an author or co-author of an oral or poster presentation of at least one manuscript. Said documentation including registering and attending the Scientific Sessions. A resident of any country in North, Central, or South America may, when duly qualified, become a candidate for Active Fellowship.
Emeritus – Any Active Fellow or Corresponding Fellow, regardless of duration of fellowship, may, after full retirement from active practice, apply for Emeritus Fellowship. Any Fellow who desires to make application for Emeritus Fellowship may do so by making written request of the Council for nomination to Emeritus Fellowship. Upon recommendation of the Council, the above-mentioned requirements for Emeritus Fellowship may be waived. An Emeritus Fellow is not subject to payment of regular dues, and may not hold office. Active Emeriti Fellows retain voting privileges. The election of Emeritus Fellows shall take place in the same manner as that for Active Fellows
Honorary – Honorary Fellows shall not exceed twenty (20) in number. Recommendation for Honorary Fellowship shall be made solely by the Council, which shall consider candidates only on the written request of two (2) Active Fellows. The Honorary Fellow is not subject to payment of dues; he/she may not hold office or vote.
Corresponding – Corresponding Fellows shall not exceed fifty (100) in number. Any person, who in the judgment of the Council, shall have made distinguished contributions to medicine or the sciences related to the field of Laryngology and has been a recognized specialist in the diseases of the upper aerodigestive tract for a period of seven (7) years following completion of training, shall be eligible for Corresponding Fellowship and may be recommended by the Council to the Association for election. The Corresponding Fellow is subject to payment of dues equal to fifty percent (50%) of Active Fellows; he/she may not hold office or vote.
Associate – Associate Fellows should not exceed thirty (30) in number. Any person, who in the judgment of the Council, shall have made distinguished contributions to medicine or the sciences related to the field of Laryngology and is a resident of North, Central, or South America shall be eligible for Associate Fellowship and may be recommended by the Council to the Association for election. Such individual must be a resident of North, Central, or South America. This category will usually be reserved for non-physician scientists or those physicians who do not qualify for Fellowship under Article IV, Section 2. A. The Associate Fellow is subject to the payment of dues equal to fifty percent (50%) of the Active Fellows dues; he/she may not hold office or vote.
Post-Graduate Member – Any person having completed a recognized Laryngology fellowship upon the recommendation of the fellowship director and/or residency Department Chairman, Vice-Chairman and/or program director shall be eligible for post-graduate status. The appointment is time sensitive, with the candidate being required to become an Active fellow within ten (10) years of appointment or Corresponding fellow within seven (7) years of appointment. The candidate for Active Fellowship must be a diplomat of the American Board of Otolaryngology or its equivalent as determined by the Council. No dues will be applicable for years 1-5. Post-Graduates members who are eligible to become Active Fellows will be responsible for fifty percent (50%) of dues assessed to Active Fellows during years 6-10. Post Graduate members who are eligible to become Corresponding Fellows will be responsible for 50% of the dues assessed to Corresponding Fellows for years 6 and 7.
Bylaws
To view, download or print a copy of the current ALA Bylaws – Revised July 2016, click on the link.
Application for Membership
Application for membership in the American Laryngological Association is by invitation. Therefore, applications for Active Fellowship, Corresponding Fellowship and Post-Graduate Fellowship are available to members only. These applications can be printed from the secure page for members on this website after successful login.