It is with gratitude and excitement that we announce the appointment of Benjamin L. Judson MD, MBA, as the Interim Vice Chair of Faculty Affairs for the Department of Surgery, effective Feb. 15. Dr. Judson will succeed Alan Dardik MD PhD, who embarks on his new role as Chair of Surgery at the West Haven VA Medical Center at the end of the month.
“We extend our heartfelt thanks to Dr. Dardik who has worked tirelessly to bring transparency and structure to the appointment and promotion process. We are humbled, too, by Dr. Judson’s readiness to step into this critical role,” said Department of Surgery Chair, Dr. Nita Ahuja.
Dr. Judson currently serves the Yale School of Medicine faculty as the Charles W. Ohse Professor of Surgery (Otolaryngology). Since his appointment as Chief of Otolaryngology in 2019, Dr. Judson has grown the division into a robust multi-disciplinary program, with more than 20 surgeons leading destination programs across the state and a robust research program with cores in head and neck cancer and hearing science. The success of the Life of a Surgeon program, a peer mentorship initiative that Dr. Judson helped to establish in 2023 — the same year he received the Walter Longo MD Award for citizenship — underscores his dedication to being an advocate and champion for the academic physician.
In his new role as Interim Vice Chair of Faculty Affairs, Dr. Judson will lead the charge in cultivating a culture of professional development for faculty within the department, actively identifying opportunities and resources that simplify and enrich the faculty experience, across specialty, rank, and track.
Please join us in expressing gratitude to Dr. Dardik and welcoming Dr. Judson to his new role.