Erich M. Sturgis

Erich M. Sturgis, MD, MPH, of Houston, Texas, is a tenured professor in the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at Baylor College of Medicine. He is Vice-chair of Clinical Affairs, holds the Brown Foundation Endowed Chair, and is the Head Neck and Thyroid Multidisciplinary Program Director. Prior to joining Baylor College of Medicine, he served for 23 years at MD Anderson Cancer Center caring for patients with complex head, neck, and thyroid cancers. His surgical practice is focused on thyroid cancer, sarcomas of the head and neck region, and melanoma/non-melanoma skin cancers. He has devoted much of his academic career to HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer and working to broadly disseminate the message of preventive HPV vaccination. He has founded and led several multidisciplinary translational research and outreach efforts in HPV-related cancers. He is the national Surgical Chair for the national cooperative group trial network, NRG Oncology Head and Neck Group, serves on the Board of Directors of The Immunization Partnership, and is the national HPV spokesperson for the Prevent Cancer Foundation, among many other services and appointments. Sturgis is an alumnus of LSU, where he received a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry cum laude before graduating from Georgetown University School of Medicine and completing several fellowships. He is married to Shannan B. Sturgis.

 

My LSU Giving Story

What is your favorite memory involving LSU?
Walking across campus in the springtime.

What makes LSU unique?
A diverse student body with a distinctive and welcoming culture. 

Why did you choose to attend LSU?
Family tradition and knowing what a wonderful environment exists at LSU. 

Why do you support LSU?
LSU gave me so much in education, personal growth, and memories that I want the university to thrive for others and as a critical infrastructure for the state’s future. 

If someone asked you why he/she should make a gift to LSU, what would you say?
It is simply an obligation of alumni to give back to our alma mater, and if we do not do so—as others across the nation do for theirs—our beloved LSU will wither into mediocrity or worse. I would ask our alumni to recognize how unique and wonderful LSU is, and how tragic it is to not support that which has given us so much. More broadly, it is a critical need for those who love and respect Louisiana, and for those who wish and rely upon a vigorous growth and bright future for the state, to invest in our flagship university. Individual investment in the institution is critical to build upon a strong foundation and create the leaders needed to realize that bright future.

What is your vision for LSU, and how do you think philanthropy can drive that vision?
To be the driving institution of higher education in the region and by so doing, LSU will lead a bright future for the state. To be a leader in the state and achieve impact beyond, we must broaden support for the institution. We cannot follow our colleagues across the Southeast in how we support our institution—we must lead in philanthropic support and, in particular, further expand it across our alumni and the population we serve. 

What motivated you to accept our invitation to be an inaugural member of the LSU Foundation National Board?
The chance to more publicly endorse and foster the philanthropic efforts of LSU and challenge others to support this great institution. Whether that support is large or small is not important; building a broad base and culture of support should be our goal. 

What most excited you about being part of the National Board?
The potential to change the norm and publicly advocate for a culture of giving to LSU from the alumni and the broader population as an obligation of investment in our future and that of our children and grandchildren.