Randall Morton – Biography

Written by Professor Randall Morton

My professional career has largely been focused on Head and Neck Surgery, supported by an active pursuit of clinical outcomes research and clinical epidemiology. My current area of major clinical interest relates to endoscopic management of salivary disease.

I have been passionate about teaching at all levels, and dedicated to a process of continuous quality improvement. I have been privileged to work with outstanding mentors and managers, and supportive colleagues.

I have served in several roles for the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS), and the New Zealand Society of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, am on the editorial Board and Review Board for several international journals, and have convened several National and International Congresses.  

My MSc thesis was on the epidemiology of sino-nasal cancer, and my Triologic Society thesis was based on quality-of-life outcomes in head and neck cancer patients.

Personal career distinction highlights include:

  • The Colin McRae Medal, the highest RACS award available specifically for a NZ Surgeon.
  • My publication that was chosen by International peers to be one of the 100 best seminal articles on Head and Neck Oncology in the past 100 years 1.
  • Full membership (by thesis) of the American Triological Society (the USA Professional Otolaryngology equivalent of an MD).
  • Presidential Citations from:
    • the American Head and Neck Society (1 of only 2 Antipodeans with this distinction)
    • the New Zealand Society of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery.
  • Eponymous Lectures to:
    • the Welsh ENT Society; (2006 Robert Owen Lecture)
    • the Royal Society of Medicine/ University of London; (2009 Semon Lecture)
    • the American Academy of Otolaryngology; (2010 Eugene N Myers Lecture)
    • the New Zealand Northland ORL Society; (2014 Roydhouse Lecture)
    • the New Zealand Society of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery; (2016 James Hardie Neil lecture)
  • President of:
    • the Asia-Oceania Association of Otolaryngology Societies
    • The NZ Society of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
    • The Australia & New Zealand Head & Neck Cancer Society
  • Chairman of the RACS New Zealand National Board and
  • Held office as a RACS Councillor, RACS Examiner in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Chairman of the RACS Head and Neck Section, and the 2005 RACS Foundation Lecturer in Head and Neck Surgery

I am supported by my wife, two daughters, and two granddaughters, I play the bagpipes in a Pipe & Drum band and welcome invitations to play golf. I love Australian Rules football, Soccer and Cricket … and the All Blacks.

1“A Century of Progress in Head and Neck Cancer.” ed. Shah JP. 2014; Jaypee Bros Med Publishers, PA.