Candidate statements: BOG candidate: secretary
I joined the BOG in 2007 as the representative for the Diversity Committee of the AAO-HNS. Through this committee, I helped create the AAO-HNSF Harry Barnes Society Endowed Leadership Grant. I also helped develop and present an Instruction Course and AcademyU® Module on Culturally Competent Care of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Patient and a Miniseminar on Culturally Competent Care.
Phyllis B. Bouvier, MD
What are your qualifications and what is your experience?
I joined the BOG in 2007 as the representative for the Diversity Committee of the AAO-HNS. Through this committee, I helped create the AAO-HNSF Harry Barnes Society Endowed Leadership Grant. I also helped develop and present an Instruction Course and AcademyU® Module on Culturally Competent Care of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Patient and a Miniseminar on Culturally Competent Care.
I am the Chair of the Otolaryngology Section of the National Medical Association (NMA). My chief responsibility is the development of the CME program for Otolaryngology for the Annual Meeting of the NMA.
I participate in several Academy committees: WIO Programs Committee; WIO Development/Endowment Committee; and WIO Nominating Committee. I am the Region VIII Representative to the Socioeconomic & Grassroots Committee of the BOG.
For 16 years, I have been the Colorado Representative to the Kaiser National Diversity and Inclusion Council. Our accomplishments include developing policies regarding language and demographic data collection for minority patient cohorts.
Given the Academy’s strategic plan, outline and prioritize your goals for the BOG.
Our role as political advocates is extremely important, and because of our strong grassroots efforts, it has led to legislative milestones. However, we also have a role as advocates for the Academy. Many are not Members or have allowed their membership to lapse because they feel the Academy is a distant body that does not appreciate their concerns. The BOG can increase awareness and recognition of the Academy’s efforts for otolaryngologists. Through our continued efforts to engage our local and regional societies and in helping to develop connections in remote areas of the country, we can make sure that each voice is heard and communicate through various social media platforms that the Academy has to offer. Continually updating our educational platforms is essential to helping practices thrive.
Increasing Member engagement also involves actively pursuing and mentoring our young physicians. They are our true hope for sustaining our organization.
Ken Yanagisawa, MD
What are your qualifications and what is your experience?
I have been actively involved with the AAO-HNS/F for 22 years and the BOG for more than eight years. Recently, in my roles as president of the CT ENT Society and the New England Otolaryngological Society; section chief of otolaryngology, Saint Raphael Campus, Yale New Haven Hospital; and currently chair of the BOG Socioeconomic & Grassroots Committee (SEGR), I have embraced the value and importance of effective communication and dialogue with Members. Organization and prioritization have been my hallmarks in leadership positions.
Within the BOG, I have participated actively in all three branches of the organization: chair and vice chair of SEGR, an active State Tracker, perennial ENT PAC Chairman’s Club donor, I-GO volunteer, and legislative activist in Connecticut; and strong advocate of state society engagement, participation, and growth. All of these valuable relationships will serve me well in fulfilling the role of BOG Secretary in Miniseminar development and continued BOG advancement.
Given the Academy’s strategic plan, outline and prioritize your goals for the BOG.
Simply stated, the BOG leaders and Members are the heartbeat of our Academy. Reflecting the concerns and views of all otolaryngologists in this country, we continue to nurture strong relationships with the BOD, specialty societies, and Physician Payment Policy (3P) Workgroup, and actively encourage the Section for Resident and Fellows-in-Training (SRF), Young Physicians Section (YPS), and Women in Otolaryngology Section (WIO) participation. Every Member has an audible voice in the BOG. The robust regionalization plan is blessed with dedicated regional representatives canvassing all 10 national regions, facilitating direct accessibility for all Members. Such engagement and expansion of BOG participants will increase the strength and value of our organization.
As BOG Secretary, I will identify pertinent topics for
Annual Meeting Miniseminars and Leadership Forum presentations that provide highest educational value (including continuation of CME credits) to address the mounting challenges confronting our specialty such as federal mandates and regulations, and specialty unity. I will seek improved avenues of communication to broadcast awareness of our valuable BOG offerings.