Published: December 8, 2014

Orlando Recap: a Resident’s Perspective – ONLINE EXCLUSIVE

This year, more than 1,000 residents and fellows-in-training attended the AAO-HNSF Annual Meeting & OTO EXPOSM in Orlando. Through the generosity of the AAO-HNS, 127 of these residents received Resident Leadership Grants (RLG) to defer the cost of attending the meeting.


Meghan N. Wilson, MD
Vice Chair, SRF

This year, more than 1,000 residents and fellows-in-training attended the AAO-HNSF Annual Meeting & OTO EXPOSM in Orlando. Through the generosity of the AAO-HNS, 127 of these residents received Resident Leadership Grants (RLG) to defer the cost of attending the meeting. As a medical student planning to attend my first annual meeting years ago, I thought “the Academy” was just an educational meeting.

However, after attending the meetings and becoming involved in the Section for Residents and Fellows-in-Training (SRF) and its Governing Council, I have realized that “the Academy” is a community—a second family of sorts. And better yet, it’s a community that is rooting for us residents and fellows. This was evident from the myriad opportunities for residents and fellows at this year’s meeting in Orlando.

Firstly, there was a seemingly endless schedule of educational sessions. Several subspecialty societies hosted resident/fellow-focused seminars during education day on Saturday. And Sunday morning brought a thrilling Academic Bowl, where the University of Connecticut residents pulled out an impressive win. As an audience member, we were also able to participate and answer questions—both entertaining and a great review!

Numerous miniseminars and instruction courses each day covered a wide range, from basic science, to advice from the experts, and even practice management. Section and committee meeting attendance was open to all, encouraging residents/fellows to get involved. Those of us who attended the Board of Governors (BOG) meeting were able to see how we could continue to participate following the completion of training.

The Women in Otolaryngology (WIO) Section delivered an excellent meeting (open to both men and women!) with a wonderful lecture entitled “Presenting Your Best Self.” I know I took several tips from this, and looking around at the rest of the audience, I knew I was not the only one. At the SRF General Assembly Academy, leaders including Drs. Nielsen, Waguespack, Chandrasekhar, Stern, and Malekzadeh addressed us residents/fellows specifically.

A breakout session with representatives from various Academy organizations and subspecialty organizations enabled networking opportunities and an avenue for residents to become involved at multiple levels. An exciting election saw a record number of attendees run from the floor, and the newly elected Governing Council got to work right away to continue to advance SRF educational, leadership, mentorship, and networking opportunities.

Two of the often-overlooked resources at the Annual Meeting are the ENT PAC (political action committee) and the Millennium Society. The ENT PAC staff can teach you everything you want to know about otolaryngology-related government affairs; they can also help you get involved in protecting our specialty.

The Millennium Society members lounge provides an intimate setting, enabling networking and mentorship opportunities with senior attendings and Academy leadership that are truly unlike any other. If you missed the annual meeting this year, plan to attend the 2015 AAO-HNS/F Leadership Forum in the March. This meeting is also an amazing opportunity for residents to learn more about our Academy, leadership, and government affairs. Hope to see you there!


More from December 2014/January 2015 - Vol. 33 No.12