Cultivating the next generation of otolaryngologists
Resident alumnus Rufus Holloway, M.D., establishes fund to support trainee travel
April 25, 2024 — Growing up in Leesburg, Florida, Rufus “Dick” Holloway, M.D., spent his childhood working in orange groves, loading watermelon and pitching in on the family farm. His interest in the agricultural field sprouted alongside a burgeoning passion for medicine, which was encouraged by local family physicians who served as role models and took him under their wing.
Also an avid athlete, Holloway was named the statewide outstanding scholar-athlete in 1954. As an undergraduate student at the University of Florida, he competed on the basketball team and ran track while studying chemistry, biology and psychology and taking agricultural courses. The intensity and people-focused nature of both medicine and agriculture intrigued him, but it was there that his path to health care took root.
“I decided I wanted very badly to go into medicine,” he said. “Everybody ought to have some degree of interest in helping people, and I always had that.”
After attending medical school at Duke University and returning to UF for his residency training in otolaryngology, Holloway cultivated a decadeslong career as an ear, nose and throat specialist in Central Florida and revisited his agricultural industry roots in retirement through The Holloway Foundation, which works to educate all ages about alternative energy and natural resources.
Holloway attributes much of his success to the education and training he received while at UF and has stayed connected over the years, including as a member of the medical school’s advisory committee. Now, Holloway has made a generous contribution to the College of Medicine to support the next generation of Gator otolaryngologists.
The Holloway Resident Travel Fund, established for the department of otolaryngology – head & neck surgery, will support opportunities for residents to travel to national meetings, such as the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Annual Meeting and the Combined Otolaryngology Spring Meetings. Holloway hopes this fund will inspire residents and ensure they have the necessary resources to attend educational events.
Shelley Collins, M.D., the senior associate dean for undergraduate medical education at UF; Bill Collins, M.D., chair of the department of otolaryngology; residency alumnus Rufus “Dick” Holloway, M.D.; and Holloway’s wife, Leslie Eggert Scales-Holloway.
“When I was a resident, I was fortunate enough to travel to numerous clinics and conventions and it was one of the best things I did,” said Holloway, who completed his UF training in 1967. “Hearing from so many people and listening to their opinions was a great experience. UF has a very successful ENT program that I have always been fond of. I hope this will advance the learning program even further and encourage trainees.”
Bill Collins, M.D., chair of the UF department of otolaryngology, said he is looking forward to seeing how these funds will benefit residents.
“Dr. Holloway’s generosity toward our residency program fills a critical need,” he said. “It is so important for our residents to be able to attend national meetings and connect with colleagues around the country. It not only improves their networking opportunities and future job prospects but also enhances the department’s and college’s reputation to see a greater UF presence in these settings. We view our UF otolaryngology department as a family, and the generous engagement of graduates like Dr. Holloway serves as a shining example to our current residents of a lifelong commitment to each other.”
When deciding on residency training programs in the 1960s, Holloway was influenced by a giant in the field: George T. Singleton, M.D., a professor emeritus who served as chief of what was then the division of otolaryngology at UF, a role he held from 1961 to 1975.
“I came back to UF because I knew I wanted to do ear surgery, and Dr. Singleton is one of the best ear surgeons in the country,” said Holloway, noting that he has kept in touch with Singleton in the years since his training.
Following residency, Holloway cared for patients in Central Florida for 35 years, during which time his many accomplishments included performing the first cochlear implant procedure in Florida and serving as a member of the national study group on cochlear implant.
He remained involved within his community throughout his career and held positions in several organizations, including as vice president of medical affairs on the board of directors for Orlando Regional Medical Center and as chief of staff at Holiday Hospital, now part of Orlando Health Orlando Regional Medical Center. He also was a member of the board of directors for Rollins College’s Hamilton Holt School of Professional Advancement and Graduate Studies.
At the same time, Holloway nurtured his interest in agriculture, earning four U.S. patents for water conservation — inventing a way to water plants using recycled rainwater rather than water pumped from the aquifer — and holding positions such as president of Leesburg Fruit Co.
Since retiring from medicine nearly 20 years ago, Holloway has continued his passion for giving back through The Holloway Foundation. Established in 2012 in memory of his parents, Rufus and Alene, the foundation is located on an 80-acre former farm in Leesburg and aims to educate Central Florida residents while preserving the natural habitat and environment.
The land itself has a rich history — after being purchased by Holloway’s father in 1952, it has been used to grow citrus, raise cattle and farm trees. Now children and families can visit to see bluebirds, learn about plants and experience demonstrations such as beekeeping.
“He is a very innovative, bright man,” Singleton said of his former trainee. “It was obvious early on, and it became more obvious the more you worked with him. He continues to do great things for the people around him and has done so well in almost any aspect of business, medicine, and so on that he has attacked — it is amazing that he can do all of this.”
In addition to working on the farm, Holloway and his family maintain a deep connection with the university. His wife and fellow UF graduate Leslie Eggert Scales-Holloway has been a generous benefactor to the College of Education, and his son, Michael Holloway, M.D. ’99, received his bachelor’s and medical degrees from UF. Also a student-athlete and All-American, Michael still holds the record for highest pole vault in university history.
“As a family, we have over 20 years of education from UF,” Holloway said. “We all have a strong affection for the university, and I of course particularly admire my ENT department. As we get older, let’s be sure we contribute as much as we can to future generations.”
