Published: September 28, 2020

Fostering a Global Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Community through Connection and Engagement

The AAO-HNSF Global Affairs Program is multifaceted and offers a multitude of ways to connect and engage with the otolaryngology community from around the world. Guidance and leadership for the program come from the AAO-HNSF Coordinator for International Affairs, J. Pablo Stolovitzky, MD, and the International Advisory Board (IAB).

The AAO-HNSF Global Affairs Program is multifaceted and offers a multitude of ways to connect and engage with the otolaryngology community from around the world. Guidance and leadership for the program come from the AAO-HNSF Coordinator for International Affairs, J. Pablo Stolovitzky, MD, and the International Advisory Board (IAB).

Globe

The oceans barely separate us these days. The more we work together, the more we share our skills, our talents, our passions, our selves; The more each expansive length shrinks down, and we are just one community.

— Excerpt from a poem written for the AAO-HNSF Global Affairs Program, presented at an ASAE Research Foundation event

“These words aptly describe the growth and forward momentum of the Academy’s global outreach over the years and, more recently, some remarkable gains. Our accomplishments are not ours alone; they are to be shared and celebrated by all who have laid the groundwork, past and present, and all who continue to give freely of their time in weaving the world of otolaryngology as we work together to achieve our goal of being recognized as a global collaborator in advancing the specialty,” said Dr. Stolovitzky.

An important component to the Academy’s international outreach efforts is the work of the IAB, which is to counsel leadership on AAO-HNSF engagement with the global community of otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeons, creating new opportunities for international communication and collaborative work. A special thank you to Immediate Past IAB Chair Sady Selaimen da Costa, MD, PhD, from Porto Alegre, Brazil, who completed his term in September 2020. His commitment to connecting the global otolaryngology community has provided a strong foundation for future efforts and endeavors, to be led by the current Chair, Karl Hoermann, MD, from Mannheim, Germany.

“With its outstanding reputation and unparalleled scope of influence, the AAO-HNSF is ideally placed to promote the excellence of professional standards, to contribute decisively toward the consolidation and expansion of global relations, to reinforce collaboration with regional organizations, and to secure a strong and unified voice among medical specialists,” said Dr. Hoermann.

The following outlines just a few ways in which the Global Affairs Program brings together the world of otolaryngology.

International Observership Directory

The AAO-HNSF maintains a directory of U.S. otolaryngology organizations or departments that offer international observerships. International observerships allow eligible international physicians the ability to shadow U.S. physicians and learn more about the specialty of their choice. Access to the directory can be found at www.entnet.org/international. For questions about the database or to add a U.S. otolaryngology institution to the directory, contact international@entnet.org.

International Corresponding Societies

Past Coordinator for International Affairs, Eugene N. Myers, MD, FRCS Edin (Hon), developed a unique program of International Corresponding Societies (ICS) that affiliates with the Academy on a peer-to-peer level. ICS leaders meet informally with Academy leaders for discussions on issues of mutual interest. There are currently 75 ICS in the program. To view the full list, go to https://www.entnet.org/content/international-corresponding-societies-ics.

International Awards, Grants, and Scholarships

The AAO-HNSF offers a variety of grants and scholarships to aid and encourage those who further the mission of otolaryngology on an international scale. These include the following:

  • International Visiting Scholarships (IVS): Every year, the AAO-HNSF offers a limited number of scholarships to junior academics from low-resource countries in order to attend the AAO-HNSF Annual Meeting & OTO Experience and participate in an academic observership at a U.S. otolaryngology department or institution (arranged independently by the candidate). The IVS is open to all candidates who meet the eligibility requirements. Additional IVS opportunities exist with specific eligibility criteria to promote Academy participation from a given nationality, gender, or subspecialty.
  • Nikhil J. Bhatt, MD International Awards: The AAO-HNSF Nikhil J. Bhatt, MD International Public Service and Humanitarian Awards recognize the achievements of non-U.S. otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeons. The awards are in fulfillment of the AAO-HNSF’s aim to foster a global otolaryngology community and are made possible through the generosity of Nikhil J. Bhatt, MD, a longtime advocate of AAO-HNSF international affairs.
  • Distinguished Award for Humanitarian Service: This exceptional award is given each year to a member who is widely recognized for a consistent, stable character distinguished by honesty, zeal for truth, integrity, love, and devotion to humanity, and a self-giving spirit.
  • The Harry Barnes Endowment Travel Grant: The AAO-HNS, in collaboration with the Diversity and Inclusion Committee, provides travel grants to assist with needed funding for meritorious, young residents of African descent from the United States, Caribbean, or Canada to participate in career-molding education experiences while attending the AAO-HNS/F Leadership Forum & BOG Spring Meeting and the AAO-HNSF Annual Meeting & OTO Experience.
  • Humanitarian Travel Grants: The Humanitarian Efforts Committee supports AAO-HNS members to serve humanity’s needs throughout the world. These travel grants are awarded to residents in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery to give a period of professional service to the people of a low-resource country, focusing on international patient care, preventive medicine, and education.

Annual Meeting & OTO Experience

The AAO-HNSF International Symposium is a dedicated component and track of the AAO-HNSF Annual Meeting & OTO Experience designed to showcase cutting-edge content, including Expert Series and Panel Presentations, which are presented by international physicians. It provides a global perspective of relevant and current topics in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery.

During the Annual Meeting, the IAB General Assembly is held in which there is robust engagement from around the globe. Regional Roundtable Discussion Groups are held and divided into the following roundtables: Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, Middle East, and Latin America. Attendees from these geographic regions share ideas, best practices, and insights on issues facing the specialty.

During the traditional face-to-face Annual Meeting, Global Affairs also supports a Humanitarian Efforts Forum, the International Young Physicians Forum, and the International Women’s Caucus.

Joint Meetings

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 that collectively advance the otolaryngology specialty in ways no one society can achieve alone. While the COVID-19 pandemic has cancelled or postponed some of the current AAO-HNSF joint meetings, the Academy maintains an updated list on its website.

Learn more about the initiatives of the AAO-HNSF Global Affairs Program by visiting https://www.entnet.org/content/international-outreach.

 

 

More from October 2020 – Vol. 39, No. 9
Getty Images 897110970
In Memoriam: Howard W. Smith
It is with great sadness that we inform the members of the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) that Howard W. Smith, MD, DDS, a renowned otolaryngologist, facial plastic and oral-maxillofacial surgeon, passed away peacefully on August 17 at almost 101 years old surrounded by his loving family.
Dupilumab
Out of Committee: Outcomes Research and Evidence-Based Medicine; Is Dupilumab the Answer to the Prayers of the Chronic Rhinosinusitis Patient?
In this Bulletin segment, our committee shares highlights from recent key research in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery. We offer concise summaries of significant findings that may alter current surgical practice.
Tech Talk
Tech Talk: ADA Website Compliance
It has been 30 years since the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law by President George H.W. Bush on July 26, 1990. This act was a declaration for equality for individuals with disabilities. The ADA applies to all organizations generally open to the public, with at least 15 full-time employees, that operate for at least 20 weeks during the year.
OnlinePresence
Out of Committee: Media and Public Relations; Building an Online Presence: A Primer for Otolaryngologists
The online presence of physicians has become an area of controversy. Following the now-retracted article, “Prevalence of Unprofessional Social Media Content Among Young Vascular Surgeons,” published in the Journal of Vascular Surgery, thousands of physicians took to social media as an outlet to express views on the very topic of social media and its role in the medical profession.
Bulletin October20
Highlighting the Trails of Women Pioneers in Otolaryngology
Do you know the name of the first woman involved in otolaryngology in 1898? How about who is credited with developing the bronchoscope in 1905? The answers are part of a new collection of artifacts and a historic timeline showcasing the significant impact women have made in the specialty. The “History of Women in Otolaryngology” exhibit is available to members around the world.
MembershipEngagement
Get Involved: Membership Engagement and the Peer-to-Peer Connection
I continue to renew my membership because of the tradition of community membership and the nimble offerings that allow otolaryngologists to rise to meet the challenges of our present circumstances.
MembershipDashboard
Membership Engagement Dashboard: How to Get Involved
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 your patients. Join Project 535, become a state tracker, join the ENT Advocacy Network, or support private payer advocacy.
ECS
“Clinical Consensus Statements” Are Now “Expert Consensus Statements”
The Guideline Task Force (GTF) has voted to change the name of Clinical Consensus Statements (CCS) to Expert Consensus Statements (ECS), and the AAO-HNSF Executive Committee has approved this name change. The change will apply to all upcoming documents planned for publication.
Diversity
Out of Committee: Diversity and Inclusion; Ensuring Better Performance in a Heterogeneous Group Dynamic
I graduated from ENT in Venezuela, in a residency program where 80% of the residents and 50% of the faculty were females. There were many times when resident staff were all women. Frequently, an all-women team was in the operating room, from medical students to the anesthesiologist to ENT attendings.
PuertoRico1
Perspective: From the Field in Puerto Rico; ENT’s Kinship among Chaos
My ENT peers in Puerto Rico may not have been to war together, but after two major hurricanes in 2017—Irma and Maria—tropical storms, a major earthquake on January 6, 2020, and its ensuing aftershocks, Sahara dust thick as fog for days, and the COVID-19 worldwide pandemic, it has been like going to war.
Manning
Unprecedented Times, Unprecedented Service
As we face professional and personal challenges during these uncertain times, I salute the hard work, devotion, and skill of those within the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) who selflessly sacrifice time, income, and resources to serve their fellow otolaryngologists. As the Board of Governors (BOG) Chair-Elect from September 2019-September 2020, it has been my privilege to learn from scores of incredible people within our organization over the past year.
Kern
American Rhinologic Society
The COVID-19 pandemic has altered nearly all aspects of our daily lives, but otolaryngology in general, and rhinology in particular, face unique challenges. The nose and nasopharynx harbor substantial quantities of the virus and many of our standard methods of examining this region have the potential to aerosolize the virus.
HumanitarianGrant2
Humanitarian Travel Grant: Microtia Repair in Ecuador
Thank you so much for the opportunity to participate in the Help Us Give Smiles (HUGS) Foundation trip to Ecuador, focusing on microtia, from April 27–May 5, 2019. The annual HUGS trip takes place at Hospital Padre Carollo/Fundación Tierra Nueva in Quito, which provides health services to more than 500,000 patients every year.
WIOEndowment
At the Forefront
The WIO Endowment Committee in conjunction with the WIO Governing Council is pleased to announce the following FY20 grant recipients
125Campaign
Shaping Our Future Together: 125 Strong Campaign
“We have witnessed and continue to experience unparalleled collaboration and cooperation across all specialty societies in otolaryngology and across all regions in the world, as we shared experiences, vital information, and solutions freely and rapidly.” Those are comments made by James C. Denneny III, MD, AAO-HNS/F Executive Vice President and CEO during the Opening Ceremony of the AAO-HNSF 2020 Virtual Annual Meeting & OTO Experience.
LifetimeMembership
New Lifetime and 30-Year Members
The American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery congratulates the following members who have earned Lifetime status with the Academy and those celebrating 30 years of membership in 2020. Your commitment to the Academy is a testament to the dedication you have to your colleagues, your patients, and the healthcare community.
Denneny
Walking a Mile with Empathy
The significant consequences that the COVID-19 pandemic, accompanying economic uncertainty, and social unrest have unleashed on physicians and other healthcare providers has been well described and frequently discussed. These additional stressors have added to a previously escalating wellness issue broadly affecting the healthcare provider community as described in several recent presentations at our Virtual Annual Meeting.
Bradford
Why Leadership Matters: A Keen Eye on Equity, Wellness, and More
I am deeply honored and privileged to serve as your President. We find ourselves at a crossroads, battling the COVID-19 pandemic and the healthcare, education, and economic fallout it has created while upholding our commitment to provide outstanding ear, nose, and throat patient care. We continue to advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion in the face of the spotlight that has been placed on racial injustice in our country.