Leadership change in Foundation education
Beginning October 1, 2015, Richard V. Smith, MD, will become the new AAO-HNS Foundation education coordinator; assuming the position as Sonya Malekzadeh, MD, ends her four-year term.
Beginning October 1, 2015, Richard V. Smith, MD, will become the new AAO-HNS Foundation education coordinator; assuming the position as Sonya Malekzadeh, MD, ends her four-year term.
Dr. Malekzadeh has provided thoughtful and strong leadership as the education coordinator over the last four years. Through her hard work Foundation professional development has evolved into a Member-focused, innovative, and high quality offering for Members.
Her accomplishments include, but are certainly not limited to:
- Completion of the member-wide Education Needs Assessment and Gap Analysis
- Launch of the new AcademyU® Learning Platform
- Publication of the Otolaryngology Lifelong Learning Manual
- Improved access to certification and recertification resources including the AcademyQ® app, Clinical Fundamental live and online courses, and Annual Meeting review courses
- Attaining ACCME Accreditation with Commendation
- Successful partnerships with ASPO, SPAO, AAPA (Physician Assistants), AHNS, and ABOto
Dr. Smith has been involved with the Academy and Foundation since his residency, including leading the Section of Residents and Fellows, the Board of Governors, and the Academy Financial Subcommittee. His involvement with Education has centered on his work with the Head and Neck Surgery Education Committee (HNSEC) as both a member and as a chair. As chair, he has also served on the Education Steering Committee for the last three years. With HNSEC he has produced Home Study Course sections, online lectures, and a variety of instruction courses and Miniseminars at the Annual Meeting & OTO EXPOSM.
Dr. Smith has received both the Honor Award and the Distinguished Service Award for his dedication and commitment to the Academy and Foundation.
His vision for Foundation professional development is to support and guide the development and delivery of quality education materials to the membership through the education efforts of the Foundation; address rapidly advancing technology within education; and ensure the Foundation has this technology in order to maintain its preeminence in the profession.
The key areas he plans to address during his tenure are:
- Maximize the functionality of the new AcademyU® Learning Platform
- Provide customized education opportunities to Members
- Increase collaboration within the specialty
- Move education activities to an electronic delivery format
- Continue with the needs assessment and gap analysis for new education activities
The Foundation thanks both Drs. Malekzadeh and Smith for their tireless efforts and devotion to education and ongoing support of staff and volunteers who have worked with them.