2014 BOG Awards Announced
Virginia Society of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Receives BOG Model Society Award The Virginia Society of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (VSO-HNS) is the recipient of the 2014 Board of Governors (BOG) Model Society Award. Spencer C. Payne, MD, governor, Patrick J. Gibbons, MD, legislative affairs representative, and Eric M. Gessler, MD, socioeconomic and grassroots representative, represent the society on the BOG. Among their many community-based outreach activities, last September VSO-HNS provided a free screening for head and neck cancer at the Richmond International Raceway prior to a NASCAR event. The event allowed VSO-HNS members to raise awareness of head and neck cancer and its risks, as well as the role of otolaryngologists in the diagnosis and treatment of head and neck cancer. Society members from around the state, including representatives from all four academic departments in the state, participated in the event. A total of 95 individuals were screened, and all individuals were provided with information regarding head and neck cancer risks and the role of the otolaryngologist. If indicated, the individuals were given recommendations for further follow-up or evaluation. Review of the screenings revealed 14 individuals required follow-up: ears (1), skin (1), oral cavity (5), neck (2), throat (2), vocal cords (1), sinus (1), and head (1). This past February, VSO-HNS representatives were well received by their state legislators. Cristina Baldassari, MD, and Kelley M. Dodson, MD, met with Delegate Patrick Hope to talk about expanding Medicaid and opening up the HPV vaccine to boys in Virginia. They expressed VSO’s interest in mandating the vaccine for boys. Delegate Hope advised he would like to convene a workgroup with all stakeholders and the Virginia Department of Health. Though VSO, the Medical Society of Virginia, and Virginia Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics, testified in support, the bill was killed in subcommittee. In April, Dr. Dodson attended the HPV workgroup on how to communicate more effectively to the public the necessity of the HPV vaccine. BOG Practitioner Excellence Award The 2014 BOG Practitioner Excellence Award will be presented to Joseph A. Brennan, MD, Colonel, Medical Corps, U.S. Air Force, Fort Sam Houston, TX. Colonel Brennan has distinguished himself in the combat casualty care of wounded warriors in both Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) as the de facto leader of military otolaryngologists, preparing them properly for the care of combat wounds to the face, head, and neck. Col. Brennan is arguably the most experienced combat head and neck surgeon in the U.S. military today. In his own right, he has cared for many wounded American and Allied military personnel in Iraq and Afghanistan, saving dozens of lives of true American heroes in these wars. He has brought back the surgical and clinical experience to teach other otolaryngologists to care for combat casualties, and is the lead editor of a military medicine textbook, Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Combat Casualty Care in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, which will be the guidebook for future combat care of head and neck wounds. His experience and teaching has already influenced civilian otolaryngologists in improving their care of traumatic wounds through his award-winning Triological Society paper on “Head and Neck Trauma in Iraq and Afghanistan: Different War, Different Surgery, Lessons Learned.” Col. Brennan is also the co-founder and current chair of the AAO-HNS Trauma Committee, which is rejuvenating the importance of trauma care in the practice of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery. Due to his leadership and experience, Col. Brennan was chosen as the chairman of surgery of the San Antonio Military Medical Center, the largest surgical department in the Department of Defense. He was also awarded the Ronald Speirs Award for Combat Medicine at Task Force Med, Bagram Theater Hospital, Afghanistan, October 2009. Col. Brennan is an otolaryngologist among otolaryngologists, and what he has done for combat casualties in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as his practice of head and neck surgery in the military, deserves the appropriate recognition of Practitioner Excellence Award. Please join the BOG in honoring VSO-HNS and Dr. Brennan during the BOG General Assembly meeting, Monday afternoon, September 22, in Orlando, FL.
Virginia Society of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Receives BOG Model Society Award

The Virginia Society of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (VSO-HNS) is the recipient of the 2014 Board of Governors (BOG) Model Society Award. Spencer C. Payne, MD, governor, Patrick J. Gibbons, MD, legislative affairs representative, and Eric M. Gessler, MD, socioeconomic and grassroots representative, represent the society on the BOG.
Among their many community-based outreach activities, last September VSO-HNS provided a free screening for head and neck cancer at the Richmond International Raceway prior to a NASCAR event. The event allowed VSO-HNS members to raise awareness of head and neck cancer and its risks, as well as the role of otolaryngologists in the diagnosis and treatment of head and neck cancer. Society members from around the state, including representatives from all four academic departments in the state, participated in the event. A total of 95 individuals were screened, and all individuals were provided with information regarding head and neck cancer risks and the role of the otolaryngologist. If indicated, the individuals were given recommendations for further follow-up or evaluation. Review of the screenings revealed 14 individuals required follow-up: ears (1), skin (1), oral cavity (5), neck (2), throat (2), vocal cords (1), sinus (1), and head (1).
This past February, VSO-HNS representatives were well received by their state legislators. Cristina Baldassari, MD, and Kelley M. Dodson, MD, met with Delegate Patrick Hope to talk about expanding Medicaid and opening up the HPV vaccine to boys in Virginia. They expressed VSO’s interest in mandating the vaccine for boys. Delegate Hope advised he would like to convene a workgroup with all stakeholders and the Virginia Department of Health. Though VSO, the Medical Society of Virginia, and Virginia Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics, testified in support, the bill was killed in subcommittee. In April, Dr. Dodson attended the HPV workgroup on how to communicate more effectively to the public the necessity of the HPV vaccine.
BOG Practitioner Excellence Award
The 2014 BOG Practitioner Excellence Award will be presented to Joseph A. Brennan, MD, Colonel, Medical Corps, U.S. Air Force, Fort Sam Houston, TX. Colonel Brennan has distinguished himself in the combat casualty care of wounded warriors in both Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) as the de facto leader of military otolaryngologists, preparing them properly for the care of combat wounds to the face, head, and neck. Col. Brennan is arguably the most experienced combat head and neck surgeon in the U.S. military today. In his own right, he has cared for many wounded American and Allied military personnel in Iraq and Afghanistan, saving dozens of lives of true American heroes in these wars.
He has brought back the surgical and clinical experience to teach other otolaryngologists to care for combat casualties, and is the lead editor of a military medicine textbook, Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Combat Casualty Care in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, which will be the guidebook for future combat care of head and neck wounds. His experience and teaching has already influenced civilian otolaryngologists in improving their care of traumatic wounds through his award-winning Triological Society paper on “Head and Neck Trauma in Iraq and Afghanistan: Different War, Different Surgery, Lessons Learned.”
Col. Brennan is also the co-founder and current chair of the AAO-HNS Trauma Committee, which is rejuvenating the importance of trauma care in the practice of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery. Due to his leadership and experience, Col. Brennan was chosen as the chairman of surgery of the San Antonio Military Medical Center, the largest surgical department in the Department of Defense. He was also awarded the Ronald Speirs Award for Combat Medicine at Task Force Med, Bagram Theater Hospital, Afghanistan, October 2009. Col. Brennan is an otolaryngologist among otolaryngologists, and what he has done for combat casualties in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as his practice of head and neck surgery in the military, deserves the appropriate recognition of Practitioner Excellence Award.
Please join the BOG in honoring VSO-HNS and Dr. Brennan during the BOG General Assembly meeting, Monday afternoon, September 22, in Orlando, FL.