At this year's oral exam, on November 9^th, 2024, in Vienna, Austria, where it is based, the European Board Examination in Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (EBEORL-HNS) celebrated its 16^th year. EBEORL-HNS represents a prestigious milestone for our specialty in Europe. It is not only a testament to an individual's expertise but also a benchmark for quality assurance and competence recognized across Europe and beyond.

World-renowned for its high-quality standards, the European Board Examination is increasingly regarded as equivalent to or even replacing national exams in ORL-HNS in our continent. As of November 2024, 1,263 candidates have successfully passed the exam and earned the prestigious title of “Fellow of the EBEORL-HNS (FEBORL-HNS).” 

At this year's oral exam, among 131 enrolled candidates, 60% were based in UEMS countries. Additionally, colleagues traveled from as far as India and Chile, highlighting the global recognition and impact of its quality. 

This year's top-performing candidate, achieving the highest scores in both the written and oral exams, is a colleague from Belgium, where EBEORL-HNS has replaced the national exam for over two years. As per tradition, this distinguished fellow will be invited to the next European Congress in Gothenburg in 2026 to receive the "Klaus Albegger Award of Excellence" during the opening ceremony. 

The second 2025 recipient of this award will be announced next year following the online written exam on May 17^th, 2025, and the oral exam in Vienna on November 8^th, 2025. We encourage all colleagues to participate in the exam, achieve the prestigious quality mark of the EBEORL-HNS, and seize this opportunity to be recognized at the opening of our specialty's flagship educational event in Sweden on April 25^th, 2026.

As a core member of the Confederation, fully supported by the entire ORL-HNS family in Europe, EBEORL-HNS plays a pivotal role in complementing the educational framework of the specialty through its responsibility for assessments. Furthermore, in 2025, in collaboration with the Confederation, we aim to launch an innovative educational tool to enable residents to track and evaluate their progression comprehensively throughout their training.

Apart from its close ties to the Confederation, through an agreement and a signed memorandum of understanding with UEMS and the UEMS ORL section, EBEORL-HNS is recognized as the authoritative examination body for the field of otorhinolaryngology, head and neck surgery with its recognized subspecialty sections in Europe. 

In this context, we are pleased to announce the establishment of the first subspecialty exam in 2024 for facial plastic and reconstructive surgery under the umbrella of EBEORL-HNS. The European Board Examination and Certification in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (EBEC-FPRS) successfully debuted on September 17^th and 18^th, 2024, in Istanbul, Turkey. The next session will be held on September 22^nd and 23^rd, 2025, in Dublin, Ireland. We are actively collaborating with other subspecialties to develop their fellowship exams, aiming to uphold and standardize high-quality practices across Europe.

The EBEORL-HNS is more than just a qualification that provides international recognition; it embodies excellence, dedication, and a commitment to delivering the highest standard of care across Europe and beyond through the standardization of knowledge. Whether you are an aspiring candidate or a mentor guiding others through the process, this examination serves as a cornerstone for professional development in the dynamic and ever-evolving field of ORL-HNS.

With these sentiments, we would like to extend our warmest wishes for the season’s greetings and a happy, healthy, and successful 2025 to you and your loved ones.

On behalf of the Executive Board, Working Groups and Examiners of the EBEORL-HNS.