Bill Lydiatt is Professor of Surgery at Creighton University, Clinical Professor of Surgery UNMC, President-Elect of the American Head and Neck Society and Chair of the AJCC 9th Edition Head and Neck Staging panel and a member of the AJCC Editorial Board. He received his BS from Stanford University, MD and Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery Residency from University of Nebraska and fellowship in head and neck surgical oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. A former Chief Medical Officer and Vice President of Medical Affairs, VP of Surgical Services and Chair of Surgery at Nebraska Methodist Hospital, Lydiatt received his EMBA from the University of Colorado. He has a long standing interest in the prevention of depression in HNC patients and seeks to enhance quality care through leadership in local and national organizations. He is interested in the use of the arts to enhance teaching and understanding the patient experience. He has over 150 publications, books and book chapters in the field.