Published: September 24, 2018

Board of Governors: Perseverance, dedication, and stamina: The magic ingredients

As I marvel at my fifth child, Kevin, completing yet another 1,650-yard (aka “the mile”) competitive swim on his way to collegiate competition, the keys to success in this grueling 66-lap event are perseverance, dedication, and stamina.


Ken Yanagisawa, MD
Chair, Board of Governors


Ken Yanagisawa, MDKen Yanagisawa, MDAs I marvel at my fifth child, Kevin, completing yet another 1,650-yard (aka “the mile”) competitive swim on his way to collegiate competition, the keys to success in this grueling 66-lap event are perseverance, dedication, and stamina. Our professional careers as physicians, and our duties to fulfill the multitude of current climate expectations, demand these exact same traits. On a seemingly daily basis, we must face, conquer, and satisfy numerous requirements imposed by a variety of external forces, including our patients, insurers, and regulators.

Call for 2019 AAO-HNS candidates

The AAO-HNS Nominating Committee is calling for recommendations of individuals to be considered for an elected office. Academy member(s) must be in good standing and it is recommended that they have held membership the last three consecutive years, have proven leadership qualities, be active in the Academy, be familiar with the strategic direction of the Academy, and be able to dedicate the necessary time to serve.

The routine becomes tiring and trying. In fact, it can become downright overwhelming. Yet we all persevere. And we are fortunate and blessed that we have amazing resources at our fingertips. Our dedicated Academy leadership, staff, and engaged physicians work around the clock on our behalf.

Please complete the application packet of materials and submit to any member of the Nominating Committee requesting he/she support your nomination for elected office. For more information and the application packet, visit www.entnet.org/content/annual-election.

Application deadline is December 3, 2018. (No extensions permitted.)

In like fashion, the Board of Governors (BOG) maintains its pivotal role as the voice and the representative of the grassroots providers, embracing participation of ALL practitioners whether in private practice, employed, or hybrid models. Some recent significant accomplishments include numerous advocacy victories, as well as an expanding chest of toolkits to help practitioners and societies grow and succeed.

To combat the forces that intrude on our practices, we must remain informed and unified as an otolaryngology community. Various strategies to overcome our battle fatigue are being carefully studied. These may include personal time preservation, allowing us to reflect on our many accomplishments, virtues, and strengths, and could be yoga, exercise, or even old school “sit around the kitchen table” time with our families.

As we celebrate our 122nd Annual Meeting in Atlanta, Georgia, please consider attending the two BOG-sponsored talks on “Infection Control” and “Development of Professional Expertise.”  In addition, our BOG General Assembly will be held on Saturday, October 6, at 4:30 pm (ET), NOT on the traditional Monday afternoon. PLEASE mark your calendars.

Our AAO-HNS/F Leadership Forum & BOG Spring Meeting will be held April 26-29, 2019, in Alexandria, VA, and will focus on many timely topics, including APPs, wellness, the opioid crisis, defense attorney support/partnership, insurer challenges, and the future of otolaryngology.

Staying actively involved with our specialty is the best way to stay informed, pertinent, and rejuvenated. Of the many leadership opportunities offered through our Academy, one of the most effective and efficient tracks is through the BOG. We endorse involvement by ALL providers, especially our younger physicians, fellows, and residents. Early involvement garners meaningful participation and promotes progression.

The BOG values all viewpoints. Through our three-pronged Committee structure—Socioeconomic & Grassroots Committee, Legislative Affairs Committee, and Governance and Society Engagement Committee—we tackle head-on the common issues that affect and impact our lives, our practices, and our patients. I encourage you to dive confidently and enthusiastically into a new arena or committee, test the waters, and help us to make a difference. Take your mark. Get set. Go!


More from October 2018 – Vol. 38, No. 9