Published: May 29, 2019

Board of Governors: TEAM = Together Everyone Achieves More

I am often asked why I love being a member of the Board of Governors (BOG). The BOG is a grassroots network within the Academy that is composed of local, state, regional, and specialty societies from around the United States.

Troy D. Woodard, MD
BOG Member-at-Large

I am often asked why I love being a member of the Board of Governors (BOG). The BOG is a grassroots network within the Academy that is composed of local, state, regional, and specialty societies from around the United States.

Troy D. Woodard, MDTroy D. Woodard, MD

I liken my experience in the BOG to my time as a collegiate athlete on the DePaul University track team. As a high-jumper and sprinter, I worked hard as an individual. I got up early to train and put in countless grueling hours of practice. I pushed myself physically and mentally seven days a week to improve for the competition. However, to achieve my goals, I could not rely solely on my own hard work, dedication, and discipline. I also had to rely on my teammates. We leaned on one another for encouragement and support during many challenging times. We found common ground, built trust in one another, and grew friendships. While we had a team full of talented individuals, winning as a team was only possible when all teammates contributed to the total score. Our team’s success was determined only by the sum of individual results.

The same is true for the field of otolaryngology. Unless we collaborate and work as a team for a shared vision, our victories will be limited and have little effect on our Academy members and their medical practices. The BOG serves as an avenue of communication between our members and the Board of Directors. This forum allows all otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeons to unite and work as a team to advance our profession. Partnerships can help our organization advance a variety of shared goals, such as changing policy, advocating jointly for specific legislation, raising public awareness, and educating the public and our members about specific otolaryngologic issues. Finding common ground, emphasizing cooperation and not competition, joining forces, and supporting one another are attributes that give us strength. Together, we can have a powerful impact. As one voice, we can challenge the status quo and inspire a lasting change.

I am inspired by the acronym “TEAM = Together Everyone Achieves More!” Whether you practice in a private practice, an academic institution, the military, or are employed by a hospital, there is a place for you in the BOG.

 

 

More from June 2019 – Vol. 38, No. 5
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Advocacy highlights from the AAO-HNS/F 2019 Leadership Forum & BOG Spring Meeting
Following the success of the third annual State OTO Society Roundtable, the AAO-HNS/F 2019 Leadership Forum & BOG Spring Meeting, held April 26-28 in Alexandria, VA, included several advocacy-related sessions in which attendees learned about the importance of making their voices heard at the state and federal levels.
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Making connections through coalitions
One of the most effective ways the Academy advocates on behalf of the specialty is through ongoing participation in a number of coalitions. The collective advocacy from organizations on shared issues further strengthens the Academy’s ability to advance federal and state legislative policy and regulatory priorities.
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What I-GO is all about
As an otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeon, you know all too well the challenges faced in the day-to-day practice of medicine. Increased liability premiums, a challenging reimbursement environment, and burdensome government regulations continue to threaten the viability of your practice and can hinder your ability to provide patients with the highest quality care.
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ENT PAC launches “ResidenTen” program for resident physicians
Did you know that ENT PAC, the Academy’s nonpartisan, issue-driven, political action committee, recently launched a new campaign for AAO-HNS physician residents? The “ResidenTen” initative aims to underscore the importance of the Academy’s political programs with the next generation of Academy members.
Increased payer coverage
Advocacy staff constantly monitors improvements and updates to private payer policy decisions. We are happy to announce the following increases in coverage:
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Tackling private payer denials
The Academy diligently advocates for full and appropriate reimbursement for procedures performed by otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeons and the patients they treat. Since last June’s annual Advocacy issue of the Bulletin, the Health Policy Advocacy Team tackled detrimental national policies and local payer denials and gaps in coverage.
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Get to know New Orleans
Imagine meeting in a city where cultures collide in a brilliant explosion of flavors, emotions, and sounds. New Orleans is the birthplace of jazz, home to Creole cuisine, and rich with history and culture. It is centrally located with a walkable downtown and world-class convention facilities.
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Our town: The Big Easy
What do you love most about New Orleans?
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10 Tips for converging with the specialty’s leading experts at #OTOMTG19
New Orleans serves as the intersection where there’s no wrong turn, from groundbreaking education sessions to networking events with the global ENT community to the OTO Experience. While you’re absorbing the latest science and new clinical approaches, take advantage of the many events available to expand your professional network and tap the minds of leaders.
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Trauma Symposium: On eve of Annual Meeting
The AAO-HNS Trauma Committee and the Society of Military Otolaryngologists’ Trauma Symposium will present “Modern Management of H&N Trauma: Nonvascularized Grafts and Trauma Care in the Developing World” at 5:00 pm, Saturday, September 14, at the AAO-HNSF 2019 Annual Meeting & OTO Experience in New Orleans, LA.
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Preconference Workshops
This one-day course addresses current advances in minimally invasive salivary gland surgery. The morning features didactic lectures by leaders in this cutting-edge field.
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Annual Meeting Program Spotlight: How to thrive in otolaryngology practice
Learn about alternatives and opportunities to enhance your ability to participate in evolving payment models through advanced practice structure and networking, adopting state-of-the-art office-based diagnostic and therapeutic technology, and validating treatment outcomes.
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#OTOMTG19 honorary guest lecturers
Presented in order of appearance.
P. Daniel Ward, MD.
PRACTICE PROFILE: Face-to-face with patients
Prior to starting his private practice, Dr. Ward was a full-time faculty member at the University of Utah. This was the starting point of his career after completing his fellowship and residency at the University of Michigan.
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Proposed fiscal year 2020 (FY20) combined budget
The Executive Committees (ECs) of the AAO-HNS/F Boards of Directors (BODs) were presented with the Financial and Investment Subcommittee (FISC) proposed budget for the next fiscal year, July 1, 2019 – June 30, 2020 (FY20), and endorsed it for approval by the BODs. During their April meeting, the BODs reviewed and conditionally approved the FY20 budget that is presented here to the membership.
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American Neurotology Society Report: ANS on the move
Barry Hirsch, MD, President of the American Neurotology Society (ANS), Craig A. Buchman, MD, Education Director, and Howard W. Francis, MD, Education Director-Elect, along with the ANS Scientific Program Committee, assembled a lively, up-to-the-minute program at this year’s Combined Otolaryngology Spring Meetings (COSM).
Sheng Po Hao
International Advisory Board (IAB) Chair-Elect election
The AAO-HNS call for nominees for Chair-Elect of the International Advisory Board (IAB) was highly successful and resulted in the submission of several highly qualified candidates for the position. The IAB Executive Committee selected Sheng-Po Hao, MD, Taipei, Taiwan, and Karl Hoermann, MD, Mannheim, Germany, as the candidates for Chair-Elect. The election will be held at the AAO-HNSF 2019 Annual Meeting & OTO Experience in New Orleans, Louisiana.
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NIH names AAO-HNS Member, Debara L. Tucci, MD, MS, MBA, director of the NIDCD
Debara L. Tucci, MD, MS, MBA, has been selected to lead the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) as its new director. Dr. Tucci is currently the professor of surgery and director of the cochlear implant program in the Division of Head and Neck Surgery & Communication Sciences at Duke University in Durham, NC.
James C. Denneny III, MD AAO-HNS/F EVP/CEO
Healthcare’s crushing storm
Meaningful healthcare reform at the federal level may be on the way. After treading water while the Affordable Care Act has been debated, public intolerance has forced both political parties to address a worsening situation.
Albert L. Merati, MD AAO-HNS/F Past President
“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.