Albert L. Merati, MD AAO-HNS/F Past PresidentMore by Albert L. Merati, MD AAO-HNS/F Past PresidentRinging the bell for quality and evidenceThe AAO-HNSF 2005 Annual Meeting was held in Los Angeles, CA, (where we will return in 2021). Even early in my career, I recognized the unparalleled opportunities available by getting involved in AAO-HNSF courses and panels.“I am an otolaryngologist”On April 27, 2019, I had the great privilege of presiding over the annual Specialty Unity Summit convened by the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery and comprised of all the major organizations in our field. Physician and administrative leaders from an otolaryngology alphabet soup were in attendance.Renewal, reflection, regretOn May 18, 2015, Jenny and I went to my one and only appointment at the University of Washington Weight Loss Management Center. I was 49 years old and felt appreciated, effective, connected, and successful. I had lots of energy and a million friends—but I also felt that I was dying a bit as every day passed.Your vote, your futureThis 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.Even a laryngosaurus can learnWhich one of today’s ideas will be tomorrow’s solutions? About 10 years ago, my home institution, the University of Washington Medical Center here in Seattle, served as the only U.S. site in the World Health Organization’s “Surgical Safety Saves Lives” pilot study of a standardized operating room checklist. I had been out of training for 10 years already and didn’t think much of this step other than that it was one more hassle.The best and brightestWinter brings otolaryngology residency (and fellowship) interview season. You know the drill: letters of recommendation, travel snafus, origin stories, polished (and not so polished) answers to standard questions, and on and on.What do we do with the spark?For each of us there was a spark: a memorable patient, a role model, or a personal/family story related to otolaryngology that launched our interest and passion for our specialty. For me this spark was an anatomical oddity, plain and simple. But even with a spark, it took a willing teacher and a supportive resident to fuel and direct my burgeoning interest.Keynote listenerA few months ago, as I was preparing to speak at the Summer Sinus Symposium of the American Rhinological Society, I ran some ideas by my wife, Jenny, a trained career coach. After hearing some of the key messages I intended to focus on, JPM (as I call her) suggested I refer to my role as “keynote listener” instead of the usual “keynote speaker.” I loved this clever idea and intend to use this forum to share messages from committed members like you—concerns and perspectives from every make and model of otolaryngologist in our extended AAO-HNS/F family.