The Association was recently informed of the passing of one of our past presidents, Dr. William Frederick McGuirt, Sr. on January 26, 2025 at the age of 83 years. Inducted as an Active Fellow in 1990, Dr. McGuirt served as president in 2003. He was a regular participant in the Association achieving Emeritus status in 2011. During his presidency, the Association made positive strides in financial growth as well as an increase in membership and attendance at the annual meetings. Born in Monroe, North Carolina on November 1, 1941, Dr. McGuirt was truly an eastern North Carolinian. After completing high school where he excelled in sports and academics, he attended The Bowman Gray School of Medicine and was named a Reynolds Scholar.
After serving in the U.S. Army at Fort Benning, Georgia, Dr. McGuirt completed his residency in Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Iowa before returned home to practice at Atrium’s Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center. There he served for 31 years including eight as the Otolaryngology Department Chair. As the well respected physician and distinguished professor whose dedicated service to his patients, peers, and students is still remembered for his humbleness and thoughtfulness. Over the course of his career, he published over 100 articles, book chapters, and several books in the field. Dr. McGuirt was an inspiring teacher, who touched the lives of many students and residents at Wake Forest.
In addition to his leadership role in the ALA, he held leadership roles in multiple national organizations, including President of the American Broncho- Esophagological Association, Chair of the Board of Governors of the Academy of Otolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery, and examiner for the American Board of Otolaryngology. He was very proud of the establishment of the nationally recognized Head and Neck Surgical Oncology program at Atrium Wake Forest Baptist.
Dr. McGuirt had a love for the outdoors, travel, that Wake Forest deeply influenced his hobbies and free time. He cherished time spent on the family farm in Lumberton, fishing in Alaska, hunting any place a bird might fly, traveling to six continents with his wife, Kay. When asked about his professional accolades and honors he received in his lifetime, the legacy he would say he was most proud of was that of his family.
Dr. McGuirt is survived by his wife, Kay; his three children, William Frederick McGuirt Jr. (Robin), Patricia McGuirt Faircloth (Scott), and Wyman Thomas McGuirt (Courtney); his eleven grandchildren; Kay’s children, Currin White (Will) and Scott Evans (Kristen) along with her six grandchildren.
To celebrate Dr. McGuirt’s life, a memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church, 300 North Cherry Street in Winston-Salem on Friday, February 7th at 3:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: The McGuirt Family MD Scholarship Fund, Wake Forest School of Medicine, PO Box 571021, 1920 West First Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, or online at wakehealth.edu/give or First Presbyterian Church, 300 North Cherry Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, or a charity of your choice.