Published: November 4, 2019

#OTOMTG19: Where Experts and Science Converged in New Orleans

There was a global connection of the specialty, unified by expert presenters and the latest research, covering 11 specialty areas via 10 groundbreaking education program formats. There was more than an acre and a half of vendors with emerging technologies, devices, and resources for patient care. There were networking opportunities that provided camaraderie and connection.

There was a global connection of the specialty, unified by expert presenters and the latest research, covering 11 specialty areas via 10 groundbreaking education program formats. There was more than an acre and a half of vendors with emerging technologies, devices, and resources for patient care. There were networking opportunities that provided camaraderie and connection. There was a President’s Reception that some attendees dubbed as “the best ever” with food, fun, music, and dancing. It was the AAO-HNSF 2019 Annual Meeting & OTO Experience and it was indeed “Where Experts and Science Converge”—and so much more.

The ceremonial passing of the gavel between Duane J. Taylor, MD, and Albert L. Merati, MD, during the Welcome Ceremony.The ceremonial passing of the gavel between Duane J. Taylor, MD, and Albert L. Merati, MD, during the Welcome Ceremony.

During the Welcome Ceremony remarks, Albert L. Merati, MD, the 2018-2019 AAO-HNS/F President, offered inspiration to the broad, diverse audience. “We have a responsibility to each other and our patients to stand together, to fight together, to think together as we further the day-to-day miracle of surgery—improving lives and communities with our skill and knowledge.”

During the International Advisory Board General Assembly, it was a rare moment to capture all the individuals who have served as AAO-HNSF Coordinator for International Affairs to date. From left to right are Eugene N. Myers, MD, FRCS Edin (Hon), K J Lee, MD, Gregory W. Randolph, MD, James E. Saunders, MD, J. Pablo Stolovitzky, MD.During the International Advisory Board General Assembly, it was a rare moment to capture all the individuals who have served as AAO-HNSF Coordinator for International Affairs to date. From left to right are Eugene N. Myers, MD, FRCS Edin (Hon), K J Lee, MD, Gregory W. Randolph, MD, James E. Saunders, MD, J. Pablo Stolovitzky, MD.

This message of togetherness and “We Are One” resonated throughout the ceremony and in the days that ensued. It was a meeting of opportunity with over 7,500 attendees—every continent was represented with individuals from 94 countries. Attendees discovered the latest advancements and research in the specialty through a dynamic education program developed by the Annual Meeting Program Committee led by Mark K. Wax, MD. The program offered abounding opportunities, featuring 261 Expert Series Sessions, 134 Panel Presentations, 591 Poster Presentations, 340 Scientific Orals Presentations, 24 Master of Surgery Videos, and 53 International Symposium sessions.

At the close of the Welcome Ceremony, attendees joined in a traditional New Orleans Second Line and followed a brass band to the buses for a short ride to the President’s Reception at Mardi Gras World, where the famous floats are made. At the President’s Reception, attendees were welcomed with New Orleans cuisine, fun, and the sounds of Rockin’ Dopsie, Jr. and the Zydeco Twisters.At the close of the Welcome Ceremony, attendees joined in a traditional New Orleans Second Line and followed a brass band to the buses for a short ride to the President’s Reception at Mardi Gras World, where the famous floats are made. At the President’s Reception, attendees were welcomed with New Orleans cuisine, fun, and the sounds of Rockin’ Dopsie, Jr. and the Zydeco Twisters.

The opportunities and education expanded to the OTO Experience, which featured a comprehensive display of products and services, including mobile X-ray imaging, enhanced surgical tools, regenerative medicine solutions, and more. Attendees experienced hands-on learning in the Mobile BioSkills Lab and the Hands-on Demonstration and Training Lab, innovative technology in the new Emerging Tech Pavilion, and new procedures and services in the Product Theater.

This Annual Meeting also exuded a global presence, further epitomizing the “We Are One” sentiment. This strength of unity and togetherness was specifically noted by James C. Denneny III, MD, AAO-HNS/F EVP/CEO, “Our global program has continued to flourish under the leadership of Dr. Pablo Stolovitsky and our entire global team. In 2019 we will have participated in 15 joint meetings… and the International Symposium has over 50 presentations.”

For 2019, the International Symposium showcased cutting-edge content presented by international physicians. It provided a global perspective of popular topics in otolaryngology and also included an International Young Physicians Meet & Greet and Forum; the International Women’s Caucus with a panel presentation titled, “Negotiating Your Way Past Barriers: International Women in Otolaryngology;” the Humanitarian Efforts Forum; and the International Advisory Board (IAB) General Assembly, in which Karl Hoermann, MD, from Germany, was elected Chair-Elect.

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Am 2020 Logo As the 2019 Annual Meeting came to a close, the #OTOMTG19 euphoria filled the air, lifting attendees up and away, and looking forward to the AAO-HNSF 2020 Annual Meeting & OTO Experience in Boston, MA, September 13-16. “Bringing Together the World of Otolaryngology” will be a program with unlimited potential and countless opportunities for attendees both as individuals and as collective members of this global specialty—all in the name of patient care.

#OTOMTG20 Call for Science
November 18, 2019 – January 14, 2020

Learn more at www.entannualmeeting.org

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