Candidate Statements: President-Elect
Sujana S. Chandrasekhar, MD These are challenging times in medicine, and especially in otolaryngology. It seems with every breath there is another arrow of uncertainty headed our way, whether it is ACOs, patient satisfaction surveys, decreasing reimbursements, education for MOC, healthcare reform rollout, ICD-10, or internal divisions between subspecialties, practice types, etc. Navigating these challenges requires experienced leadership. I have practiced successfully in two academic settings, and for the past 10 years I have had a successful solo private neurotology practice while working part-time at the VA and building a new multidisciplinary clinical program within a large hospital system. With my Academy experience as past Board of Governors (BOG) chair, at the Board of Directors (BOD), in education, advocacy, development, and with the Women in Otolaryngology (WIO), Diversity, and Young Physician Section (YPS), I have a good understanding of the needs of the entire otolaryngology community. If I become President-Elect, my three goals will be: 1. Increase member participation in all areas of the Academy It is disheartening to hear members say that they don’t see value in their membership, that they don’t need the Academy or the meetings, that they are only involved in their subspecialty, or that they think that ENT is so small that we can’t make a difference. What we’ve got here is a failure to communicate. As President-Elect, I would like to harness our website to enhance member and committee communications, to go to where the members are, and to find out who’s not participating and why. Our Member Handbook highlights educational, financial, and advocacy benefits of membership and must reach all otolaryngologists. I would continue to strengthen our working relationship with subspecialty ENT societies. We thrive by identifying and mentoring future leaders, whether they are residents or fellows or well into their careers. That is one of my passions. 2. Strengthen the Academy’s position as a leader in organized medicine Despite its relatively small size, our Academy has been a leader in organized medicine. We are strong with legislators and we collaborate with the larger house of medicine on key issues. We lead in Guideline development and at the Choosing Wisely® campaign. As President-Elect, I will work with the new EVP/CEO to strengthen our leadership position and to spearhead efforts that help our members thrive financially by making it as easy as possible to comply with upcoming regulations, including establishing ENT-pertinent quality measures. With 100 percent participation in the PAC, we can show our strength on Capitol Hill. 3. Make the Academy’s website the go-to site for ENT information Fifty percent of all doctor visits are for ENT problems. Our Academy has vetted teaching materials, but they are hard to access. As President-Elect I would work to expand mobile access to our website so that when physicians or patients search for detailed ENT information, they come to our site. This would also help our members serve their patients better while practicing more efficiently. It has been a pleasure serving the Academy for all of these years, and it would be an honor to serve as its President. J. Pablo Stolovitzky, MD My first and foremost goal as president is to empower our members to face the most significant healthcare reform we have ever confronted. Never has the Academy been more important to the future of our specialty. The paradigm shift from fee-for-service to value-based payment is on the horizon. How do we address this challenge? I Will Set a High Priority to: Develop specialty-specific quality measures and value payment models or they will be developed for us. Educate and empower otolaryngologists participating in Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) to negotiate equitable bundled payments. Vigorously advocate for our members on healthcare reform issues affecting our specialty. My experience as a member of the Ad Hoc Payment Model Workgroup has enabled me to evaluate trends in healthcare payment reform and to develop practical methods for participating in new models. Through these contributions, the Academy will empower our members to retain equitable payment and thrive as we navigate healthcare reform. My Second Goal Is Specialty Unity. We must align strategies with our subspecialty societies to speak with a stronger voice. We should collaborate to develop quality measures and MOC materials to achieve economies of scale. My third goal, which will extend into my past-president year, is to secure sustainability. Our strategic plan prepares us for change, but requires significant revenue. Five years on the Financial and Investment Subcommittee provided me with a thorough understanding of the Academy’s budget process and its relationship to strategic initiatives, giving me excellent insight in securing sustainability. I Will Work Diligently to: Support development initiatives Increase alternative revenue streams Expand our international membership Increase opportunities for members abroad to purchase annual meeting content. My experience on the International Steering Committee and my relationship with International Leadership gives me a unique perspective to achieve this goal. As President-Elect, I Will Increase Members’ Engagement and Value by: Improving our website for mobile access to Educational activities Expanded clinical research Otolaryngology-specific EMR tools Enhancing our two-way communications with members through the newly launched ENTConnect and social media Synergizing our constituencies: Board of Governors (BOG) Specialty Society Advisory Council Women in Otolaryngology (WIO) Young Physicians, Residents, and Fellows (YP, and SRF) Now more than ever, the Academy needs a president who has the skills and experience to lead our members to adapt and succeed through challenging times. My Leadership Experience Includes: Co-founder and CEO of a thriving practice with 20 otolaryngologists Clinical faculty at Emory University, which gives me a unique perspective of both private practice and academic otolaryngology Multiple Academy leadership roles: Secretary and Chair of the Board of Governors Director on the Board of Directors Executive Committee of the Board of Directors My vision is to engage and empower our members, while enhancing our core mission of education, advocacy, and research. I am confident that my leadership experience, long term involvement in organized medicine, successful practice, and my academic and business expertise have prepared me to lead the Academy. I would be deeply honored to serve as your president.
These are challenging times in medicine, and especially in otolaryngology. It seems with every breath there is another arrow of uncertainty headed our way, whether it is ACOs, patient satisfaction surveys, decreasing reimbursements, education for MOC, healthcare reform rollout, ICD-10, or internal divisions between subspecialties, practice types, etc.
Navigating these challenges requires experienced leadership. I have practiced successfully in two academic settings, and for the past 10 years I have had a successful solo private neurotology practice while working part-time at the VA and building a new multidisciplinary clinical program within a large hospital system. With my Academy experience as past Board of Governors (BOG) chair, at the Board of Directors (BOD), in education, advocacy, development, and with the Women in Otolaryngology (WIO), Diversity, and Young Physician Section (YPS), I have a good understanding of the needs of the entire otolaryngology community.
If I become President-Elect, my three goals will be:
1. Increase member participation in all areas of the Academy
It is disheartening to hear members say that they don’t see value in their membership, that they don’t need the Academy or the meetings, that they are only involved in their subspecialty, or that they think that ENT is so small that we can’t make a difference. What we’ve got here is a failure to communicate.
As President-Elect, I would like to harness our website to enhance member and committee communications, to go to where the members are, and to find out who’s not participating and why. Our Member Handbook highlights educational, financial, and advocacy benefits of membership and must reach all otolaryngologists. I would continue to strengthen our working relationship with subspecialty ENT societies. We thrive by identifying and mentoring future leaders, whether they are residents or fellows or well into their careers. That is one of my passions.
2. Strengthen the Academy’s position as a leader in organized medicine
Despite its relatively small size, our Academy has been a leader in organized medicine. We are strong with legislators and we collaborate with the larger house of medicine on key issues. We lead in Guideline development and at the Choosing Wisely® campaign.
As President-Elect, I will work with the new EVP/CEO to strengthen our leadership position and to spearhead efforts that help our members thrive financially by making it as easy as possible to comply with upcoming regulations, including establishing ENT-pertinent quality measures. With 100 percent participation in the PAC, we can show our strength on Capitol Hill.
3. Make the Academy’s website the go-to site for ENT information
Fifty percent of all doctor visits are for ENT problems. Our Academy has vetted teaching materials, but they are hard to access. As President-Elect I would work to expand mobile access to our website so that when physicians or patients search for detailed ENT information, they come to our site. This would also help our members serve their patients better while practicing more efficiently.
It has been a pleasure serving the Academy for all of these years, and it would be an honor to serve as its President.
J. Pablo Stolovitzky, MD
The paradigm shift from fee-for-service to value-based payment is on the horizon. How do we address this challenge?
I Will Set a High Priority to:
- Develop specialty-specific quality measures and value payment models or they will be developed for us.
- Educate and empower otolaryngologists participating in Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) to negotiate equitable bundled payments.
- Vigorously advocate for our members on healthcare reform issues affecting our specialty.
My experience as a member of the Ad Hoc Payment Model Workgroup has enabled me to evaluate trends in healthcare payment reform and to develop practical methods for participating in new models.
Through these contributions, the Academy will empower our members to retain equitable payment and thrive as we navigate healthcare reform.
My Second Goal Is Specialty Unity.
- We must align strategies with our subspecialty societies to speak with a stronger voice.
- We should collaborate to develop quality measures and MOC materials to achieve economies of scale.
My third goal, which will extend into my past-president year, is to secure sustainability.
Our strategic plan prepares us for change, but requires significant revenue.
Five years on the Financial and Investment Subcommittee provided me with a thorough understanding of the Academy’s budget process and its relationship to strategic initiatives, giving me excellent insight in securing sustainability.
I Will Work Diligently to:
- Support development initiatives
- Increase alternative revenue streams
- Expand our international membership
- Increase opportunities for members abroad to purchase annual meeting content. My experience on the International Steering Committee and my relationship with International Leadership gives me a unique perspective to achieve this goal.
As President-Elect, I Will Increase Members’ Engagement and Value by:
- Improving our website for mobile access to
- Educational activities
- Expanded clinical research
- Otolaryngology-specific EMR tools
- Enhancing our two-way communications with members through the newly launched ENTConnect and social media
- Synergizing our constituencies:
- Board of Governors (BOG)
- Specialty Society Advisory Council
- Women in Otolaryngology (WIO)
- Young Physicians, Residents, and Fellows (YP, and SRF)
Now more than ever, the Academy needs a president who has the skills and experience to lead our members to adapt and succeed through challenging times.
My Leadership Experience Includes:
- Co-founder and CEO of a thriving practice with 20 otolaryngologists
- Clinical faculty at Emory University, which gives me a unique perspective of both private practice and academic otolaryngology
- Multiple Academy leadership roles:
- Secretary and Chair of the Board of Governors
- Director on the Board of Directors
- Executive Committee of the Board of Directors
My vision is to engage and empower our members, while enhancing our core mission of education, advocacy, and research.
I am confident that my leadership experience, long term involvement in organized medicine, successful practice, and my academic and business expertise have prepared me to lead the Academy.
I would be deeply honored to serve as your president.