Robert Maxwell Byers Award
The Robert Maxwell Byers Award was an award in the amount of $1,000 presented to the best clinical paper submitted for presentation at the annual meeting of the American Head and Neck Society. The award was endowed by a generous contributions from Dr. Byers’ former students.
About Robert Maxwell Byers
Dr. Robert Maxwell Byers was a distinguished surgeon and leader in the field of Head and Neck Surgical Oncology. Born in Baltimore, Maryland, on September 24, 1937, he pursued his undergraduate studies at Duke University before earning his medical degree from the University of Maryland in 1963.
Following his surgical residency at University Hospital in Baltimore, Dr. Byers served with the 1st Marine Division in Vietnam, earning commendations for his service. Upon returning to the U.S., he was Chief of Surgery at Quonset Point Naval Hospital in Rhode Island before becoming board-certified in surgery in 1969. In 1970, he and his family moved to Houston, Texas, where he began a transformative fellowship at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. This marked the beginning of a remarkable 31-year career dedicated to advancing cancer treatment.
Rising through the ranks at M.D. Anderson, Dr. Byers became a Professor and Surgeon in 1981 and was later honored with the Distinguished Alando J. Ballantyne Chair of Head and Neck Surgery. A prolific researcher, he authored or co-authored over 200 publications and delivered lectures worldwide. He served as President of both the American Radium Society and the Society of Head and Neck Surgeons and was a dedicated mentor to more than 300 surgical residents and fellows.
Dr. Byers’ contributions to cancer treatment, particularly in oral cavity and metastatic neck disease, have had a lasting impact on the field. Beyond medicine, he was an avid sports enthusiast, coaching youth baseball and basketball in Houston. He also enjoyed hunting, travel, and collecting toy soldiers.
Past Award Winners
2015: Brian Nussenbaum, MD
2014: Ardalan Ebrahimi, MPH, MD