Your vote, your future

This month’s edition of the Bulletin features statements from our candidates for AAO-HNS/F leadership positions. Please read and consider them as we approach our annual election, which opens in May. I would like to thank our AAO-HNS Nominating Committee for presenting all of us a superb slate of candidates.

Otolaryngologists can affect change by working together

Advocacy in the medical association world is a broad term that encompasses a wide range of activities across many fronts with the end goal of defining and delivering the best healthcare outcomes for our patients. Typically, areas that receive the highest attention and resources include federal and state legislation, regulatory agencies, and private payer issues.

UK simulation-based otolaryngology-head and neck surgery “Boot Camp”

Medical training has shifted over recent years to a focus on developing trainee competence and proficiency according to predetermined approved standards. A challenge has been to deliver this training paradigm within a time-restricted program, which has had a significant impact, especially on surgical specialities where developing expertise relies heavily on appropriate clinical exposure.

Advocacy in action: An overview of federal and state legislative priorities

The American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) is committed to the enactment of legislation that will strengthen the delivery of, and access to, quality healthcare. In 2019, the AAO-HNS anticipates action on the following issues at the federal and state levels:

One click to advocate

Effective grassroots advocacy starts with you! AAO-HNS members can reinforce the Academy’s legislative efforts on Capitol Hill by calling, emailing, and tweeting their members of Congress. This additional layer of constituent-based outreach amplifies the specialty’s position when Congress debates major healthcare issues.

Engagement Opportunities Series: Become an Advocate for the Specialty

In today’s regulatory and legislative climate, it’s vital for U.S. otolaryngologists to use their clinical expertise to advocate on behalf of the specialty. The AAO-HNS provides numerous opportunities for members to influence federal and state healthcare policies, communicate with elected officials, and advocate for patients.

Just what the doctor ordered

The Administrator Support Community for ENT (ASCENT) is the only association dedicated to supporting the leaders in the unique specialty of otolaryngology practice management. Formerly known as the Association of Otolaryngology Administrators (AOA), ASCENT has a long history of providing resources, networking, and education to administrators, managers, supervisors, and coders in otolaryngology practices that helps the practice, physicians, and ultimately the patient.

What’s in a name?

Your practice has a name, of course, and a logo to go along with it. But what exactly is your practice’s brand? A well-designed logo might look appealing, but it’s the emotion evoked, such as trust, comfort, and personalism, that makes it stick in a person’s mind.

Your Academy around the world

Since its inception, the AAO-HNSF has cultivated ties to national otolaryngology societies and similar organizations around the world. AAO-HNSF assigns great importance to these relationships, which collectively advance the otolaryngology specialty in ways no one society can achieve alone.

What you need to know about MIPS Year Three (Y3)

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) implemented extensive updates for Y3 of the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS). Key programmatic changes for 2019 address eligible clinicians, technology requirements, performance categories, scoring methodology, measures, and objectives, as well as thresholds and bonus points.

Physician safety is patient safety: Good surgical ergonomics to optimize patient care

Physicians selflessly provide care to their patients over the course of a 30 to 40-year career. Ideally, we stay healthy and rarely get sick or suffer a serious injury.  However, we are not immune from physical infirmity and—like a professional athlete—simply often choose to “play through the pain.”

Humanitarian Service: Facial reconstructive surgery in Belize

“Life is about people.” Those are the words that my grandfather used to tell me, and I’ve evaluated my own life based on my interactions with other people. I went into facial plastic and reconstructive surgery so that I would be able to make a personal difference in many people’s lives, whether it was repairing congenital anomalies, facial trauma, skin cancers, or aesthetic concerns.

Women in Otolaryngology Day

This year, on March 3, many in the otolaryngology community celebrated the Women in Otolaryngology (WIO) section and its members. This day, which we hope will occur every year on the Sunday after the Otolaryngology Training Examination/In-Service exam, bolstered an already growing community within our specialty. Around the country, local WIO groups met for social, educational, and supportive events.

‘Meet Our Academy Member Donors’ Online brochure

The AAO-HNS Foundation sincerely thanks all our donors for generously giving back to their specialty in support of today’s programs and in ensuring the future of the specialty for the next generation.

Previewing the proposed bylaw changes

There are several important bylaws amendments that will be on the ballot as part of the upcoming election opening May 6. Take time to review these proposed changes before casting your vote.

Candidate Statements – President-Elect

What are the strengths of the Academy that will lead us forward in our specialty and how will you capitalize on those strengths? What do you think is the most important item in the Academy’s strategic plan?

Candidate Statements – Director-At-Large: Academic Practice

What do you see as the essential task of the Directors and in what ways are you well suited to the role? What do you think is the most important item in the Academy’s strategic plan?

Candidate Statements – Director-At-Large: Private Practice

What do you see as the essential task of the Directors and in what ways are you well suited to the role? What do you think is the most important item in the Academy’s strategic plan?

Candidate Statements – Nominating Committee: Private Practice

How will you select candidates for Academy leadership that best represent our diverse membership? What experience do you have that will aid in selecting leaders that will advance the mission of the Academy?

Candidate Statements – Nominating Committee: Academic

How will you select candidates for Academy leadership that best represent our diverse membership? What experience do you have that will aid in selecting leaders that will advance the mission of the Academy?

Candidate Statements – Audit Committee   

What is your particular experience or interest that would make you an affective member of the Audit Committee of the Academy?

ENThealth Trusted Patient Information on Demand and Online

The ENThealth subscription programs give you access to ready-made content from ENThealth.org that has been developed and vetted by clinical experts in the otolaryngology-head and neck surgery specialty.

What every otolaryngologist should know about electronic cigarettes, especially JUUL

Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) have become increasingly popular in the United States. While it is welcome news that traditional cigarette use is decreasing, there has been a disturbing upsurge in use of e-cigarettes among youth. E-cigarettes have become a gateway for nicotine addiction among youth, with many graduating to use other, more dangerous tobacco products.

Significant changes to ABOHNS in 2019

The past year, the American Board of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery (ABOHNS) has been very busy with many important changes. The most noteworthy was the approval of our organization’s name change by the Board of Directors of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) on June 21, 2018.

Humanitarian Service: Facial reconstructive surgery in Belize

“Life is about people.” Those are the words that my grandfather used to tell me, and I’ve evaluated my own life based on my interactions with other people. I went into facial plastic and reconstructive surgery so that I would be able to make a personal difference in many people’s lives, whether it was repairing congenital anomalies, facial trauma, skin cancers, or aesthetic concerns.