Established in 2001, the Albert C. Muse Prize recognizes the world’s leaders in the fields of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology. Alternating between these two fields each year, this prestigious honor celebrates individuals who have made significant advancements in research and patient care within these two specialties. In 2018, a second honor, the Albert C. Muse Award, was established to recognize individuals who, through innovation and service, have made significant contributions to the Pittsburgh region. We are pleased to honor the 2021 Muse recipients, Robin T. Cotton, MD, FACS, FRCS(C) and Margaretha L. Casselbrant MD, PhD.
This year’s Muse Prize Dinner and Ceremony will take place on Monday, November 15th. Register for the dinner at https://eyeandear.org/register-for-the-2021-muse-dinner/
The 2021 Albert C. Muse Recipients for Excellence in Otolaryngology
The 2021 Albert C. Muse Prize for Excellence in Research and Advancement of Care in Otolaryngology
Honoree:
Robin T. Cotton, MD, FACS, FRCS(C)
Professor Emeritus
Department of Otolaryngology and
Head and Neck Surgery
University of Cincinnati
Born in England, Dr. Cotton received his medical degree from the University of Cambridge in 1965 and started his training in general surgery at the United Birmingham Hospitals in 1966. After spending three years in the health service in England, he traveled to Canada to undertake a research fellowship in general surgery at the University of Toronto, and subsequently completed his residency and fellowship in Otolaryngology at the University of Toronto. He then traveled to the U.S., where he completed a head and neck fellowship with Dr. Shumrick at the University of Cincinnati in 1973. After finishing his fellowship, Dr. Cotton led the Division of pediatric otolaryngology–head and neck surgery at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC) until 2012. He continued to practice surgery until 2019.
Dr. Cotton’s career has been dedicated to pediatric otolaryngology, and he has continuously aimed to raise the standard of care for children. He pioneered the techniques utilized worldwide in the reconstruction of the larynx and trachea in children with laryngotracheal stenosis. This led to a practice paradigm shift in treatment of airway problems in children, with the development of the multidisciplinary Aerodigestive and Esophageal Center in 1999. This has become a worldwide model for other Childrens’ hospitals.
Dr. Cotton is regarded amongst the premier pediatric otolaryngologists of his era and has trained many of the leading pediatric otolaryngologists in the U.S. and abroad. He has published extensively and lectured throughout the world. He was on the editorial board of several journals and was a prolific contributor to the literature, having written more than 250 articles and books.
Dr. Cotton was a member of more than 20 national and international otolaryngology organizations, including the American Academy of Otolaryngology. He has served as President of the American Bronchoesophagological Association, the American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology, and the Society for Ear, Nose, and Throat Advances in Children. He has received many honors and awards. The two awards he is most proud of are the prestigious Jacobson award from the American College of Surgeons and the Mosher Award from the Triologic Society. He was the first Otolaryngologist and only the 2nd pediatric surgeon to receive the Jacobson award, which is presented for innovative techniques in surgery
Dr. Cotton retired in September 2019 and is thoroughly enjoying this phase of life. He has had the opportunity to revisit many of his hobbies, including piano playing and his love of nature. He has taken a course from The Ohio State University to become an Ohio Nature Guide and is busy working towards certification by completing the volunteer hours required. This has led to the development of new friendships. He has maintained his fitness and has joined in virtual family runs and spent more time with his family locally and his wife Cindi. Due to Covid restrictions, instead of travelling afar, he took the opportunity to explore Cincinnati in a way he never expected and became amazed at the amount of diversity in the city and surroundings. Joining a book club has enlarged his horizons of American literature, history and politics. After visiting his out of town daughters and grandchildren, he has finally been able to travel home to Cornwall in England.
The 2021 Albert C. Muse Award for Excellence in Innovation and Service in Otolaryngology
Honoree:
Margaretha L. Casselbrant MD, PhD
Professor Emerita of Otolaryngology
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Dr. Casselbrant graduated in 1973 from the University of Lund Medical School, Lund Sweden and completed her Otolaryngology Residency in 1978 at the University of Lund, Malmo, Sweden. In 1982, she completed her fellowship in Pediatric Otolaryngology at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, USA. She defended her PhD thesis 1979 at the University of Lund, Lund, Sweden. Dr. Casselbrant joined the faculty in the Department of Pediatric Otolaryngology at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh in 1982 and the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine as Assistant Professor. In 1999, she was promoted to Professor of Otolaryngology with tenure. From 1994-2005, Dr. Casselbrant was the Director of the Pediatric Otolaryngology Fellowship, and the Director of the Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology at the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh 2005-2013. Dr. Casselbrant was promoted to Professor Emerita of Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, in 2015.
Dr. Casselbrant’ s main research interest is focused on otitis media, and she has conducted numerous clinical trials and studies assessing the efficacy of medical and surgical treatments for otitis media. She has also performed studies assessing the effect of otitis media on balance as well as investigated the genetic aspects of otitis media.
Dr. Casselbrant has published more than 100 peer reviewed articles as well as book chapters, invited reviews and proceedings from meetings.