2016-2017 committee highlights

Committees are the lifeblood of the AAO-HNS/F and a great way for members to contribute meaningfully to the organization and the specialty. At the AAO-HNSF 2017 Annual Meeting & OTO Experience in Chicago, IL, Academy and Foundation committees met and discussed achievements of the past year and those that are planned for 2018. The following are brief summaries of actions taken by the committees over the 2016-2017 committee term.

To view a list of current committee members, visit www.entnet.org/committees.

To join a committee, visit www.entnet.org/committees and fill out an application before the January 1, 2018, deadline.

Standing Committees

Audit Committee
Steven W. Cheung, MD, Chair

• The Audit Committee met via conference call in August 2017 to discuss audit planning with the independent accounting firm, and again in late October 2017 to review the FY17 audit with staff and the independent auditors.
• The audit of the consolidated financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2017 (FY17), was completed after the Annual Meeting, and a “clean opinion” was provided by the independent audit firm.
• The audited financial statements and annual tax returns are available to anyone requesting access. Contact Carrie Hanlon, senior director of Financial Operations, (chanlon@entnet.org) for requests.

Ethics Committee
Susan D. McCammon, MD, Chair

• The Ethics Committee collaborated with five other committees in presentations on genetic testing, surgeon response to medical error, urgent management of the professional voice, and technical innovation in surgery for the AAO-HNSF 2017 Annual Meeting & OTO Experience.
• It presented the Instruction Course, “Clinical Fundamentals: Ethics and Professionalism” for the fourth year.
• It developed “Otolaryngology: Professionalism and the Profession,” a learning activity that allows the learner to assess their competency in professionalism. It is available on AcademyU^® for 3.0 AMA PRA Category 1 credits.
• The group also solicited focused manuscripts for Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery to promote open dialogue of ethical issues and dilemmas under an “Ethics in Practice” initiative proposed by committee member Andrew G. Shuman, MD.

Finance & Investment Subcommittee of the EC (FISC)
Scott P. Stringer, MD, Secretary

• The FISC worked with staff to develop a balanced FY18 budget (July 1, 2017-June 30, 2018), which was approved by the BOD in May 2017.
• On a quarterly basis, the FISC met to review financial statements, forecasts, and budget-to-actual variances and to review the annual audit and report of the Audit Committee.
• In September 2017, the FISC met with AAO-HNS/F’s professional investment advisors to review performance results for the managed investment portfolio, which delivered a positive return of approximately 10 percent for the fiscal year.
• RFPs were sent to several banks to solicit proposals to refinance the headquarters building debt. The FISC worked with staff to develop a recommendation for BOD approval as the year closed.

Academy Committees

Airway and Swallowing Committee
Joel H. Blumin, MD, Chair

• The Airway and Swallowing Committee sponsored two Miniseminars at the AAO-HNSF 2017 Annual Meeting & OTO Experience:
  • Contemporary Management of Pediatric and Adult LTS
  • Strategies to Manage Chemotherapy and XRT Associated Dysphagia
• It reviewed the “Clinical Practice Guideline on Tonsillectomy in Children,” including the assessment of the original guideline’s Key Action Statements and Action Statement profiles, for relevancy and provided feedback regarding additional topics for quality improvement. 
• The group provided public comment on the seven American Academy of Neurology essential tremors measures.
• It offered clinical input on an evidence review on the topic of intraoperative neurophysiologic monitoring—cervical spine surgery and provided edits/comments to the Physician Payment Policy (3P) Workgroup to assist in articulating the Academy response.
• The committee reviewed an issue related to rule R 338.647, which relates to MCL 333.17607 (3), as requested by Jeffrey S. Weingarten, MD, Academy member and member of the Michigan SLP Rules Committee.

Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Committee
James W. Mims, MD, Chair

• The Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Committee presented three Miniseminars at the AAO-HNSF 2017 Annual Meeting & OTO Experience:
  • Allergy: It’s Not Just the Nose!
  • Blow-by-Blow: Asthma in the Otolaryngologist’s Office
  • Food Allergy 2017: State of the Science

Complementary Integrative Medicine Committee
Marlene B. Wang, MD, Chair

• Complementary Integrative Medicine sponsored two Miniseminars at the AAO-HNSF 2017 Annual Meeting & OTO Experience:
  • Integrative Approaches to Reflux Disease: Beyond PPIs
  • Integrative Treatments for Sequelae of Chemo-Radiation

Endocrine Surgery Committee
Ralph P. Tufano, MD, Chair

• The Endocrine Surgery Committee presented 16 Instruction Courses and two Miniseminars on endocrine topics at the AAO-HSNF 2017 Annual Meeting & OTO Experience.
• Prior to the start of the 2017 Annual Meeting, 40 patients and physicians attended the Thyroid Cancer Patient Outreach program that was co-sponsored by ThyCa on September 9.
• In further activity, the Thyroid & Parathyroid Ultrasound workshop, which also took place on September 9, had 67 attendees.
• The committee developed a series of patient videos to help educate the public about the steps in undergoing thyroid surgery. The series included the following videos: 
  • How Do I Know If I Need Thyroid Surgery?
  • How To Choose an Endocrine Surgeon
  • Improving Voice Outcomes after Thyroid Surgery

Equilibrium Committee
Joel A. Goebel, MD, Chair

• The Equilibrium Committee submitted three Miniseminars, two of which were accepted for the AAO-HNSF 2017 Annual Meeting & OTO Experience:
  • Vestibular Testing: What’s Warranted, What’s Wasteful
  • Vestibular PT: Evidence for Efficacy and New Technologies

Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Committee
Krishna G. Patel, MD, PhD, Chair

• The Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Committee sponsored two Miniseminars at the AAO-HNSF 2017 Annual Meeting & OTO Experience:
  • Coding for Functional Procedures in Facial Plastic Surgery
  • Registries and Databases: How and Why? (co-sponsored with the Outcomes Research and Evidence Based Medicine Committee)
• Committee members reviewed and provided suggested edits to the Botulinum Toxin Treatment Position Statement.

Geriatric Committee
Allan M. Rubin, MD, PhD, Chair

• The Geriatric Committee sponsored four Miniseminars at the AAO-HNSF 2017 Annual Meeting & OTO Experience:
  • The Aging Otolaryngologist
  • Head and Neck Surgery in the Elderly: How Old Is Too Old?
  • The Aging Voice: Can It Be Prevented or Treated?
  • Unified Airway: Surgical Management in the Older Patient           

Hearing Committee
Douglas D. Backous, MD, Chair

• The Hearing Committee sponsored three Miniseminars at the AAO-HNSF 2017 Annual Meeting & OTO Experience:
  • Hearing Loss in Older Adults: A Public Health Imperative (co-sponsored by the Geriatric Otology Committee)
  • Lessons Learned: Understanding Otology Malpractice (co-sponsored by Otology/Neurotology Committee)
  • OTC Hearing Aids: Costco and Regulation Changes
• It participated in the assessment of the AAO-HNSF Clinical Practice Guideline: Sudden Hearing Loss.
• The committee represented the AAO-HNS on the Joint Committee on Infant Hearing.
• Also, it reviewed and provided feedback on two AAO-HNS member surveys.
• Its representative reviewed and provided edits for 11 patient health topics that were part of the Patient Health Information Pilot Project.
• The committee commented during the open period on the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) Cochlear Implant Systems: Requirements for Safety, Functional Verification, Labeling and Reliability Reporting standards.
• The group also assisted the 3P Workgroup with the review of the United Healthcare Medical Policy on Hearing Aids and Devices.

Implantable Hearing Devices Committee
Jack J. Wazen, MD, Chair

• The Implantable Hearing Devices Committee developed Minimum Report Standards for Cochlear Implants, which will be submitted to Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery.
• It reviewed and recommended AAO-HNS endorsement of ACI Alliance Position Paper: Pediatric Habilitation Following Cochlear Implantation, which was ratified by the Board of Directors.
• Its work included the development of a Cochlear Implant Candidates Vaccination Survey results manuscript.
• It maintained the Cochlear Implant Device List.
• To assist the 3P Workgroup in articulating the Academy’s response, the committee reviewed United Healthcare policy on Hearing Aids and Devices Including Wearable, Bone-Anchored and Semi-Implantable.
• Further, it participated in public comment for the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) Cochlear Implant Systems: Requirements for Safety, Functional Verification, Labeling and Reliability Reporting standards.

Infectious Disease Committee
Tulio A. Valdez, MD, Chair

• In collaboration with the PSQI Committee, the Infectious Disease Committee sponsored the following Miniseminar at the AAO-HNSF 2017 Annual Meeting & OTO Experience:
  • What Next, Space Suits!? Running a “Sterile” Office in 2017. Committee members Nathan J. Gonik, MD, and Pamela C. Roehm, MD, PhD, participated on the panel.

Media and Public Relations Committee
Dale A. Tylor, MD, Chair

• The Media and Public Relations Committee assisted in coordinating public outreach activities and information for the following health observances:
  • Kids ENT Health Month (February)
  • World Hearing Day (March 3)
  • World Voice Day (April 16)
  • Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month (April)
  • Better Hearing & Speech Month (May)
• The committee assisted in developing “What Parents, Pregnant Women, and Consumers Should Know about Otolaryngology Procedures and General Anesthetic and Sedation,” a new Academy resource for patient care to help physician members educate patients regarding the FDA Safety Communication on General Anesthetic and Sedation Drugs—New Warnings for Young Children and Pregnant Women.
• The committee initiated an ongoing effort to collect the contact information of frequent social media users/bloggers to maximize dissemination of patient and public education materials produced by the Academy.
• The committee hosted a social media meet-up at the AAO-HNSF 2017 Annual Meeting & OTO Experience and assisted in launching the #IAMOTO campaign with videos and pictures.

Medical Devices and Drugs Committee
Kenneth H. Lee, MD, PhD, Chair

• In 2017, the Medical Devices and Drugs Committee provided a review for a survey, Opioid Prescribing Patterns among Otolaryngologists.
• The following Miniseminars were accepted and presented during the AAO-HNSF 2017 Annual Meeting & OTO Experience:
  • Sialendoscopy: Beginner’s Basics to Advanced Challenges, Gordon J. Siegel, MD
  • The Process and Ethics of Launching Your Innovative Ideas (non-CME), Courtney A. Hill, MD
  • The Latest (and Greatest?) Devices in Ears, Nose, and Sleep, Jennifer J. Shin, MD, SM
• One article was published in the July 2017 Bulletin:
  • “The Future of Vocal Fold Injectables,” Edward J. Damrose, MD

Microvascular Committee
Keith A. Casper, MD, Chair

• The Microvascular Committee presented three Miniseminars at the AAO-HNSF 2017 Annual Meeting & OTO Experience:
  • Head and Neck Surgery in the Elderly: How Old Is Too Old?
  • Management of the Difficult Wound
  • Fundamental Principles and Pitfalls in Flap Management
• It worked on the committee-sponsored e-book for residents on microvascular surgery, including harvest, donor site closure, techniques for assisting under the microscope, and post-operative care considerations. This project is supported by the education coordinator and the Head and Neck Surgery Education Committee.
• It submitted a multi-institutional, committee-sponsored hypopharynx study on surgical salvage after chemoradiation for publication consideration in Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery.
• It formulated proposals for four Miniseminars for the AAO-HNSF 2018 Annual Meeting & OTO Experience with work plans for collaborating with numerous other AAO-HNS committees to optimize some or all of these proposals for later final submission.

Otolaryngology Veterans Affairs Committee
Edward M. Weaver, MD, MPH, Chair

• The invited committee members approved the proposed committee and its charge, and they held their first meeting on September 10, 2017.

Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Committee
Michael J. Brenner, MD, Co-Chair
Julie L. Goldman, MD, Co-Chair

• The Patient Safety Event Reporting Tool is undergoing review and revision to make it easier for members to add data and for improved promotion efforts to members.
• The Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Committee developed a survey for members on patient access that is currently undergoing IRB approval.
• A subcommittee is working on sterilization recommendations in outpatient ENT clinics.
• Members are developing a white paper on DVT prophylaxis in ENT patients.
• Several committee members assisted Temple University with a project piloting PSQI education.
• Ongoing efforts were directed at implementing Choosing Wisely® recommendations (most recently, forthcoming Bulletin submission relating to safe practices with liquid medications).
• Three Miniseminars were accepted for presentation in Chicago, IL, at the AAO-HNSF 2017 Annual Meeting & OTO Experience.
• The committee supplied representation and continued participation with the American College of Surgeons Surgical Quality Alliance.
• It also published two articles:
  • “A Novel Patient Safety Event Reporting Tool in Otolaryngology.” Otolarygol Head Neck Surgery. 2017 Apr: 157(1):117-122.
  • “Current State of Overlapping, Concurrent, and Multiple-Room Surgery in Otolaryngology: A National Survey.” Otolaryngol Head Neck Surgery (in press).

Sleep Disorders Committee
Kathleen Yaremchuk, MD, MSA, Chair

• Palatopharyngoplasty for OSA, sleep-related clinical indicator, was reviewed by the Sleep Disorders Committee and approved by the 3P Workgroup in April 2017, and renamed by 3P as “Tonsillectomy with or without Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP).”
• Dr. Yaremchuk sent a survey to all accredited sleep fellowship programs and compiled a list of those that had ENT staff as faculty. The list is available for distribution to interested parties and AAO-HNS.
• A paper was published by Raj C. Dedhia, MD, regarding Practice Patterns of Sleep Otolaryngologists at Training Institutions in the United States. Lam, a S; Wise, SK; Dedhia, RC.

Trauma Committee
Anna M. Pou, MD, Chair

• The Trauma Committee submitted three Miniseminars for the AAO-HNSF 2017 Annual Meeting & OTO Experience. “MMF Chaos: Arch Bars and Their Alternatives” was accepted. Individual committee members also presented on several trauma-related topics.
• It presented at the AAO-HNS Trauma Committee and the Society of Military Otolaryngologists Trauma Symposium, September 9, featuring “Airway and Facial Burn Trauma: It’s More Than Just Skin Deep.” Arthur Sanford, MD, associate professor of trauma, surgical critical care, and burns at Loyola University Medical Center, spoke on airway burn management. Chad Hivnor, MD, of Dermatology Associates of San Antonio, presented on acute and chronic scar rehabilitation.
• The committee obtained AAO-HNSF criteria and process for the Trauma Symposium to be considered for CMEs as a first step toward achieving that goal.

Voice Committee
Michael M. Johns III, MD, Chair

• The Voice Committee’s contributions to the AAO-HNSF 2017 Annual Meeting & OTO Experience included:
  • 19 laryngology Miniseminars
  • 40 instructional courses related to laryngology
  • Four scientific sessions related to laryngology
• AAO-HNS leadership C. Gaelyn Garrett, MD; Mark S. Courey, MD; Clark A. Rosen, MD; and Michael M. Johns III, MD, worked with Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield to change vocal fold injection augmentation from experimental to standard of care.
• 2017 World Voice Day contributors developed the following around the theme “Share Your Voice”:
  • The theme by Norman D. Hogikyan, MD
  • Expansive March 2017 Bulletin presence:
    • Downloadable cover image and promo poster by designer Jackie Cole
    • A BOG message “The Power of Communication” by Susan R. Cordes, MD, Chair, BOG Legislative Affairs Committee
    • A “Share Your Voice” overview by Lyndsay L. Madden, DO
    • A Q&A article on voice disorders by Libby J. Smith, DO, Sid Khosla, MD, Dr. Hogikyan, Julina Ongkasuwan, MD, Jeanne L. Hatcher, MD, and Reena Gupta, MD.

Annual Meeting

Annual Meeting Program Committee
Mark K. Wax, MD, Chair

• The Annual Meeting Program Advisory Committee reviewed, scored, and composed the 2017 Annual Meeting education program that included:
  • 249 Instruction Courses
  • 25 International Symposia
  • 18 Masters of Surgery Video Presentations
  • 129 Miniseminars
  • 434 Scientific Oral Presentations
  • 392 Scientific Poster Presentations
• The committee was also instrumental in presenting:
  • Two Corporate Satellite Symposia
  • Two Hands-on Demonstration and Training Labs
  • 30 Lunch with the Expert Sessions
  • Three Mobile BioSkills Labs
  • One Product Theater
• Composed of all 11 specialty areas, the Annual Meeting featured 17 “Best of Oral” presentations on Sunday, September 12.
• The “Best in Show” poster winner was in the Patient Safety and Quality Improvement specialty area—Simulation-Based Assessment of Emergency Department Advanced Airway Cart.
• The “Best Basic Science” poster winner represented the Otology/Neurotology track—Novel Vector-Mediated Delivery of Opsins to the Cochlea.
• Committee members also judged and selected the exhibit booth winners: Single—Save my Scope; Inline—Fiagon NA; Island—NeilMed Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Development Committee
Lee D. Eisenberg, MD, MPH, Chair and Development Coordinator

• Contributions to the Annual Fund in FY17 were 24 percent greater than in the previous year, and contributions of $43,000 were added to the Hal Foster, MD Endowment.
• Six new major donors at the Lifetime level and five new donors at the Sustainer level were welcomed to the Millennium Society.
• A new restricted fund was established with a gift of $48,000 from Lee D. Eisenberg, MD, to establish the Lee D. Eisenberg, MD, MPH Health Policy Leadership Resident Travel Grant Fund.
• For the calendar year 2016, all donors were provided with a year-end charitable contribution tax summary letter. Also, all donors who had contributed to any endowment fund at any point in time received a report of endowment performance for the calendar year 2016.

Humanitarian Efforts Committee
Susan R. Cordes, MD, Chair

• The Humanitarian Efforts Forum at the AAO-HNSF 2017 Annual Meeting & OTO Experience featured:
  • Breadth and variety of work carried out by Academy members around the globe.
  • Ethics panel presentations on actual case scenarios encountered by providers to heighten awareness about the nature and possible solutions to challenging dilemmas.
  • Recognition of humanitarian awardees for their work on behalf of underserved populations domestically and internationally:
    • Bruce H. Campbell, MD, AAO-HNS Distinguished Award for Humanitarian Service
    • Mark E. Zafereo Jr., MD, Arnold P. Gold Foundation Humanism in Medicine Award
    • Sheng-Po Hao, MD, Nikhil J. Bhatt, MD Public Service Award
    • Johanna Sembergman, MD, Nikhil J. Bhatt, MD Humanitarian Award
  • Committee members co-authored and published “Impact of Humanitarian Experiences on Otolaryngology Trainees” in Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. The study analyzed the impact of humanitarian experiences on otolaryngology trainees through an assessment of effect on residency training, particularly core competencies. The study also assessed subspecialty interest, career trajectory, and future volunteerism.
  • Twenty residents and fellows-in-training were awarded Humanitarian Travel Grants for service in resource-limited countries.

International Otolaryngology Committee
Carl H. Snyderman, MD, MBA, Chair

• A survey was developed and reviewed, and the groundwork laid to implement a survey on educational programs for international visitors/observers in departments of otolaryngology throughout North America.
• The International Otolaryngology Committee reviewed Humanitarian Travel Grant award and International Visiting Scholarship (IVS) submissions.
• Committee members attended and presented at many important international meetings to further the global exchange of medical knowledge and scientific expertise and to advance the AAO-HNSF’s efforts to foster a global otolaryngology community.

Outcomes, Research, and Evidence-Based Medicine Committee
Jennifer J. Shin, MD, SM, Chair

• The Outcomes, Research, and Evidence-Based Medicine Committee was awarded the 2016-2017 Committee Excellence Award.
• It sponsored eight Miniseminars at the AAO-HNSF 2017 Annual Meeting & OTO Experience:
  • Evidence-Based Management of Meniere’s Disease
  • Recent Publications that Could Change Your Practice
  • Kids Today: Rapid Review of Guidelines and Consensus
  • Controversies in Parotid Surgery: Is There Evidence?
  • Are You Up to Date? Key Otolaryngology Systematic Reviews
  • Registries and Databases: How and Why?
  • The Latest (and Greatest?) Devices in Ears, Nose, and Sleep
  • How to Read, Interpret, and Create Systematic Reviews
• It continued the Evidence-Based Medicine in Otolaryngology educational journal series with an installment on patient-reported outcomes and a submission on shared decision making.
• Three articles were published in the ongoing Bulletin spotlight series.
• The committee conducted and published assessments of national practice patterns for otitis media with effusion and allergic rhinitis, all in Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery.
• Work was completed or is in progress on multiple MarketScan database projects.
• There is also an ongoing systematic review on vocal outcomes after cardiac surgery in pediatrics.

Panamerican Committee
Hernan Goldsztein, MD, Chair

• Six live webcasts in Spanish were launched at the 2017 International Symposium at the AAO-HNSF 2017 Annual Meeting & OTO Experience and broadcast throughout Latin America.
• The Panamerican Committee held five joint meetings in the region in 2017: The Caribbean Association of Otolaryngologists 25th Annual Clinical Conference, Roseau, Dominica; IV Course of the PanAmerican Association of ORL and CCC, Punta del Este, Uruguay; LXVII Congress of the SMORLyCCC, Merida, Yucatan; V Paraguayan Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery Conference, Asuncion, Paraguay; XXVII Congreso Centroamericano de Otorrinolaringologia y XXX Congreso Nacional de Otorrinolaringologia y Cirugia de Cabeza y Cuello, Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
• The group assisted with the Spanish translation of patient information tables on four clinical practice guidelines: Earwax (Cerumen Impaction), Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (update), Improving Nasal Form and Function after Rhinoplasty, and Evaluation of the Neck Mass in Adults.

Education Committees

Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Education Committee
J. Randall Jordan, MD, Chair

• The Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Education Committee developed a Certification/Recertification Review Course for the AAO-HNSF 2017 Annual Meeting & OTO Experience.
• It authored several online courses including “Soft Tissue Engineering.”
• Work began on an upcoming Home Study Course section on Plastic and Reconstructive Problems.

General Otolaryngology Education Committee
Stacey L. Ishman, MD, MPH, Chair

• The General Otolaryngology Education Committee provided leadership to the sixth ENT for the PA-C conference in Chicago, IL.
• It also developed a Certification/Recertification Review Course for the AAO-HNSF 2017 Annual Meeting & OTO Experience.
• With more to be released early in 2018, members developed several online courses.

Head and Neck Surgery Education Committee
Alfred A. Simental, MD, Chair

• Along with other Education committees, the Head and Neck Surgery Education Committee developed a Certification/Recertification Review Course for the AAO-HNSF 2017 Annual Meeting & OTO Experience.
• It authored several online courses, including “Emerging Role of HPV” and “Sialoendoscopy.”
• In collaboration with the American Head and Neck Society, it published free educational videos on AcademyU.org.
• A new Home Study Course section on Trauma and Critical Care Medicine is in development.

Laryngology and Bronchoesophagology Education Committee
Catherine R. Lintzenich, MD, Chair

• The Laryngology and Bronchoesophagology Education Committee developed a Certification/Recertification Review Course for the AAO-HNSF 2017 Annual Meeting & OTO Experience.
• It authored several online courses, including “Stroboscopy.”
• A new Home Study Course section on Laryngology, Voice Disorders, and Bronchoesophagology will be published.

Otology and Neurotology Education Committee
Bradley W. Kesser, MD, Chair

• The Otology and Neurotology Education Committee received a 2017 Committee Excellence Award.
• It developed a Certification/Recertification Review Course for the AAO-HNSF 2017 Annual Meeting & OTO Experience.
• It also authored several online courses, including “Contemporary Management of Tinnitus” and “Facial Nerve Monitoring.”
• A Home Study Course section on Otology and Neurotology was also published.

Pediatric Otolaryngology Education Committee
Jeffrey P. Simons, MD, Chair

• The Pediatric Otolaryngology Education Committee developed a Certification/Recertification Review Course for the AAO-HNSF 2017 Annual Meeting & OTO Experience.
• It also authored several online courses, including “Use of Analgesics in Postoperative Pain Management” and “Pediatric OSA.”
• A Home Study Course section on Congenital and Pediatric Problems was also published.

Practice Management Education Committee
Brendan C. Stack, MD, Chair

• In keeping with member need, the Practice Management Education Committee developed a Certification/Recertification Review Course for the AAO-HNSF 2017 Annual Meeting & OTO Experience.
• It recorded and published 11 Practice Management Recordings on AcademyU.org.
• The committee authored several online courses, including “Informed Consent Process” and “Patient Satisfaction and Compliance.”
• Work was completed on a Home Study Course section on Practice Management.

Rhinology and Allergy Education Committee
Brent A. Senior, MD, Chair

• The Rhinology and Allergy Education Committee developed a Certification/Recertification Review Course for the AAO-HSNF 2017 Annual Meeting & OTO Experience.
• The committee authored several online courses, including “In Office Balloon Dilation of the Sinuses with Image Guidance.”
• This group published a Home Study Course section on Rhinology and Allergic Disorders.

Simulation Education Committee
Ellen Deutsch, MD, Chair

• The Simulation Education Committee received a 2017 Committee Excellence Award.
• It offered the Simulation Experience at Northwestern University, allowing attendees to experience the latest hands-on simulation devices.
• The first SIM Tank event, where finalists presented their simulation projects to a panel of expert judges and a live audience, was an exciting addition hosted by this group.
• The committee hosted the second annual Simulation Reception and Showcase during the AAO-HNSF 2017 Annual Meeting & OTO Experience, highlighting nearly 30 innovative and novel otolaryngology simulation projects developed by Academy members.

Board of Governors (BOG) Committees

Stacy L. Ishman, MD, MPH, Chair

With the leadership and oversight of its Executive Committee, the following are highlights of BOG activities in 2016-2017:

AAO-HNS/F 2017 Leadership Forum & BOG Spring Meeting

• This year’s Leadership Forum was a successful meeting with nearly 200 attendees. The four-day event included the following BOG programming:
  • Inaugural State OTO Society Roundtable
  • General Assembly with presidential candidate speeches
  • Keynote speakers: Denice Cora-Brambles, MD, MBA; Martin B. Gold, JD; and Meena Seshamani, MD, PhD
  • Seven sessions offering a total of 5.75 CME credits
  • “Insider” Legislative, Regulatory, and Political Updates

Save the Date for the AAO-HNS/F 2018 Leadership Forum & BOG Spring Meeting
March 9-12, Alexandria, VA

2017 BOG Awards

• The Georgia Society of Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery (GSO/HNS) was awarded the Model Society Award.
• Wendy B. Stern, MD, was awarded the BOG Practitioner Excellence Award.

2017 BOG General Assembly

• At the BOG General Assembly meeting, held in conjunction with the AAO-HNSF 2017 Annual Meeting & OTO Experience, Ken Yanagisawa, MD, was elected BOG Chair-Elect and Samantha Anne, MD, was elected BOG Secretary. On October 1, 2017, Sanjay R. Parikh, MD, assumed the role of BOG Chair, and Stacey L. Ishman, MD, MPH, became Immediate Past Chair.

BOG Governance & Society Engagement Committee
Spencer C. Payne, MD

• The BOG Governance & Society Engagement Committee compiled a list of boilerplates to provide to societies in need of assistance.
• The AAO-HNS Executive Committee approved the request from the committee to provide member names and email addresses to BOG member societies for recruitment/engagement purposes on a case-by-case basis.
• In addition, the committee compiled a society audit pertaining to the attendance requirement per the participation criteria outlined in the BOG bylaws (Article II. Section 2).

BOG Legislative Affairs Committee
Susan R. Cordes, MD

• The BOG Legislative Affairs Committee increased participation in PROJECT 535 to achieve 60 percent coverage of all congressional districts.
• It developed new resources, including a “top actions” card, to encourage participation in the academy’s Advocacy programs.
• Further, it spearheaded personal outreach to all BOG Legislative Representatives.  

BOG Socioeconomic & Grassroots Committee
Hayes H. Wanamaker, MD

• The BOG Socioeconomic & Grassroots Committee drafted a survey for local, state, national, and specialty society members designed to assess the needs of the membership and determine where our societies feel the BOG energies should be focused, and how the BOG can best grow and respond to the needs.

Regional Representatives

• The BOG Regions have five new Regional Representatives: Region 4, E. Scott Elledge, MD; Region 5, Tamer Abdel-Halim Ghanem, MD; Region 7, C.W. David T. Chang, MD; Region 8, Kevin K. Motamedi, MD; and Region 10, Nancy R. Juhlin, MD.

Reg-ent^SM Committee

Reg-ent Executive Committee
James C. Denneny III, MD, Chair

• The Reg-ent Committee’s work resulted in achieving Qualified Registry and Qualified Clinical Data Registry designations with CMS for both 2016 and 2017.
• The program has successfully onboarded over 400 practices, and now has 2.3 million unique patients and over 5.1 million patient encounters.
• The group supported reporting PQRS 2016 for over 120 clinicians from 27 practices.
• It coordinated significant work on integrating practices with cloud-based vendors including Modernizing Medicine, Waiting Room Solutions, eclinicalworks, Medent, and SRS Health.
• The committee supported the launch of the new 2017 MIPS Platform, including Web Entry Tool for paper-based and practices with no forward progress from their EHR vendor.
• The committee explored private payer incentive programs through Reg-ent.
• The Measures Development team, in conjunction with REC and Clinical Advisory Committees, established otolaryngology specialty-specific measures for Reg-ent 2018 quality reporting in these topics:
  • Age-related Hearing Loss
  • Allergic Rhinitis
  • Bells Palsy
  • BPPV
  • Cerumen Impaction
  • Dysphonia
  • Rhinoplasty
  • Tympanostomy Tube Otorrhea
  • Vestibular Rehabilitation
• The committee worked to add the second networked practice site: 113 clinicians from over 30 different practices.
• HIPAA privacy and security policies, procedures, and training were added.

Section for Residents and Fellows-in-Training (SRF)

Peter C. Vila, MD, MSPH, Chair

• The SRF garnered the highest annual survey response rate since 2008 with 475 respondents. Topics included: AAO-HNS involvement, physician burnout, family planning, and discrimination in the workplace.
• SRF leaders focused on grassroots networking, such as encouraging residents to become involved in their local BOG societies.
• It released the first resident-run podcast, the SRF Roll Call Podcast, which has been cited in journal articles and listened to by residents and medical students around the world.
• The SRF General Assembly meeting at the AAO-HSNF 2017 Annual Meeting & OTO Experience was well-attended.
• The group involved experienced Academy members in panel discussions on emotional intelligence, conflict in the workplace, and tips for finding employment.
• SRF members worked closely with the International Steering Committee to provide activities and a formal welcome to international attendees at the Annual Meeting in Chicago.
• It continued to provide resident representation on clinical practice guideline panels.

Women in Otolaryngology (WIO) Section

Ayesha N. Khalid, MD, Chair

• The WIO General Assembly meeting at the AAO-HNSF 2017 Annual Meeting & OTO Experience was well-attended and highlighted:
  • A featured speaker, Amy Herman, on visual intelligence
  • The Dr. Helen Krause Trailblazer Award, presented to Amber U. Luong, MD
  • An Exemplary Senior Resident Trainee Award, presented to Juliana Bonilla-Velez, MD
• Two Miniseminars focusing on promoting leadership and recognizing unconscious bias were presented at the Annual Meeting.

WIO Endowment Committee

Pell Ann Wardrop, MD, Chair

• The WIO Endowment Committee received several meritorious grant applications, and the WIO Section’s Governing Council awarded more than $12,000 in grant funding for FY17. The awards included funding for two surveys to assess issues pertinent to WIO and funding for a pilot program to develop a local WIO Interest Group (LWIO) in Connecticut that could be used as an example to develop similar programs in other states.
• WIO Endowment total balance as of June 30, 2017, was $529,496, which consists of $451,559 in permanently restricted corpus that will never be spent, and $77,937 in earnings that will be used for future grants and project funding.
• Contributions received or pledged in FY17 were $6,900.
• Sujana S. Chandrasekhar, MD, assumed the role of committee chair from Pell Ann Wardrop, MD, who served as the committee’s chair since the inception of the committee in 2010. Dr. Wardrop was instrumental in securing funding for the WIO Endowment.

Young Physicians Section (YPS)

Jeffrey C. Liu, MD, Chair

• The Communications subgroup outcomes included the following:
  • Roundtables
    • Physician wellness
    • Personal finance
    • How to build a business
  • Fostered international attendees during the AAO-HNSF 2017 Annual Meeting & OTO Experience
  • In Case You Missed It (ICYMI): http://www.entnet.org/content/yps-podcasts
  • Facebook and ENTConnect postings
  • Three Reflections articles published in Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery
  • The Programming Outcomes subgroup accomplished these goals:
    • Developed content for the 2017 Leadership Forum & BOG Spring Meeting, including a successful speed-networking event.
    • Sponsored five Miniseminars and one Instruction Course for the AAO-HNSF 2017 Annual Meeting & OTO Experience.