2014-2015 committee highlights

Committees are the lifeblood of the AAO-HNS/F and a great way for members to contribute meaningfully to the organization and the specialty. At the AAO-HNSF 2015 Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO^SM in Dallas, Academy and Foundation committees met and discussed achievements during the past year and planned for 2016. The following are brief summaries of actions taken by the committees over the 2014 to 2015 committee term.

To view a list of current committee members, please refer to the November 2015 Bulletin, or visit www.entnet.org/committees.

To join a committee, visit www.entnet.org/committees and fill out an application before the January 1, 2016, deadline.

Standing Committees

Audit Committee
Jerome Thompson, MD, MBA, Chair

• The audit committee met via conference call in June 2015 to discuss audit planning with the independent accounting firm and met again in late October 2015 to review the audit with staff and the independent auditors.
• The audit of the consolidated financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2015 (FY15), was completed after the Annual Meeting and a “clean opinion” was provided by the independent audit firm. The auditors proposed no adjustments to the financial statements prepared by management.
• The audited financial statements and annual tax returns are available to anyone requesting access. Contact Carrie Hanlon (chanlon@entnet.org) for requests.
• A correspondence audit of the Foundation’s Form 990 for the year ended June 30, 2011, was conducted by the IRS in the latter part of 2014. In June 2015, the IRS closed out the audit with no proposed adjustments.

Ethics Committee
Susan McCammon, MD, Chair

• Members of the Ethics Committee prepared abstracts on the topics of Humanitarianism, Expert witness testimony, financial disclosure, ethics in Pediatric and Geriatric Otolaryngology, and HPV. The Miniseminar on “Skin Cancer in the Elderly: Clinical and Ethical Issues” was presented in cooperation with the Geriatric Otolaryngology Committee. The Instructional Course “Clinical Fundamentals: Ethics and Professionalism” was presented for the third consecutive year offering Members the opportunity to satisfy MOC requirements. Both the Miniseminar and the Instruction Course were chosen for inclusion in this year’s Online Lecture Series, which makes Annual Meeting presentations available on AcademyU®.
• The Gender Equity Appendix and Diversity Policy were updated and reviewed and endorsed by the Diversity Committee and WIO and have been updated on the website. The ENTConnect Rules and Etiquette were reviewed and approved without amendment.  The position statement on Disorders of Equilibrium and State Drivers Licensing Boards was revised in conjunction with the Equilibrium Committee to clarify that “if state law requires physician reporting of equilibrium disorders to drivers licensing boards, physicians should comply with such laws, but may do so under protest.”
• The Executive Committee has charged the Ethics Committee with performing a systematic evaluation of the current and past policies and procedures regarding the Expert Witness Testimony Policy. The committee will produce an in-depth report including a comprehensive plan to address the issue and make recommendations regarding education and compliance at the 2016 spring meeting of the Boards of Directors.

Finance & Investment Subcommittee of the EC (FISC)
Gavin Setzen, MD, Secretary

• At the start of 2015, the FISC began working with staff to develop an FY16 budget (July 1, 2015- June 30, 2016) that would incorporate the strategic goal of $600K in expense savings that could be redirected to new FY16 strategic initiatives identified by the BODs at their March Strategic Planning meeting. This goal was accomplished and the FY16 balanced budget was approved by the BODs in May 2015.
• On a quarterly basis, the FISC met to review financial statements, forecasts, and budget to actual variances and reviewed the annual audit and report of the Audit Committee.
• During the summer of 2015, the FISC considered making a change in the professional investment advisors overseeing AAO-HNS/F’s managed portfolio of reserves and endowment funds to achieve better performance results. The FISC interviewed four independent investment advisor firms and selected two firms to make presentations to the FISC at AM15. The FISC made the decision to recommend a change to LVW Advisors.
• The FISC thanked Gavin Setzen, MD, for his three years of leadership as the AAO-HNS/F Secretary/Treasurer and FISC Chair and welcomed Scott Stringer, MD, to the position.

Science and Educational Committee
Sukgi S. Choi, MD, Chair

• The SEC actively participated in the following matters of key importance to the AAO-HNS/F’s science and education activities:
  • Collaboration among education committees, PAC and ICAC to identify gaps and needs assessments in order to develop program content.
  • Comprehensive assessment of the Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO^SM and educational programs.
• Eben L. Rosenthal, MD, was selected as 2015-2016 SEC chair.

Academy Committees

Airway and Swallowing Committee
Joel H. Blumin, MD Chair

• Sponsored four Miniseminars at the 2015 Annual Meeting: (1) Adding Office-Based Laryngeal Procedures to Your Practice, (2) Management of the Difficult Airway: Techniques and Strategies, (3) Surgical Techniques in Dysphagia: A Case Based Discussion and (4) Tough to Swallow: Dysphagia for the General Otolaryngologist.
• Reviewed the draft code change proposal for the family of codes, submitted for review.
• Reviewed a guideline from the American College of Chest Physicians in publishing “Tools for Assessing Outcomes in Studies of Chronic Cough: CHEST Guideline and Expert Panel Report.”
• Reviewed and revised The Clinical Indicator (CI) Laryngoscopy/Nasopharyngoscopy and the Clinical Indicator (CI) Tracheostomy.
• Reviewed and discussed “the Global Tracheostomy Collaborative” as an ongoing opportunity for hospitals to improve tracheostomy quality care.
• Reviewed two position statements: “Foreign Bodies of the Upper Aerodigestive Tract” and “Roles of Flexible Laryngoscopy and Videostroboscopy.”

Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Committee
James W. Mims, MD, Chair

• Recognized as a 2015 Model Committee.
• Helped draft a letter to Anthem on its restriction of payments for allergy immunotherapy to 120 doses per year asking for exceptions for medical necessity on patients who were slow to escalate or poly-sensitized.
• Consulted on the Superior Health issue of excluding otolaryngologists and immunotherapy providers. Based on committee feedback, the Academy sent comments to Superior requesting otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeons be recognized as appropriate specialists to perform allergy testing and immunotherapy services. Ultimately, Superior agreed to auto-credential all board-eligible and board-certified otolaryngologists in its network to perform allergy testing and immunotherapy services.
• Reviewed and revised four Patient Information leaflets: Allergies and Hay Fever; Antihistamines, Decongestants, and Cold Remedies; How Allergies Affect Your Child’s Ear, Nose, and Throat; and Pediatric Food Allergies.

Credentials and Membership Committee
Pierre Lavertu, MD, Chair

• Members reviewed more than 650 new and reinstated candidates for approval into membership.
• Members of the committee reviewed the current billing cycle and identified reasons of late renewals and trends among those reinstating their membership.
• The committee provided feedback on engaging Members post residency.
• The committee discussed reviewing the current membership landing page on the AAO-HNS website.
• If needed, the Credentials and Membership Committee plans to review and/or beta test any new applications developed by the AAO-HNS staff.
• Members will work to capitalize on the opportunity for collaboration, advancement, and innovation in educating Members on the wealth of benefits offered by the Academy and its Foundation by reviewing the Member benefits.
• Also in 2016, the committee plans to champion the review of the criteria for earning engagement points associated with honor/distinguished service awards.

Complementary/Integrative Medicine Committee
Marilene B. Wang, MD, Chair

• Three Miniseminarseminars submitted by the committee were accepted for the 2015 Annual Meeting. The Miniseminars are on the topics of refractory sinusitis, balance disorders, and atypical facial pain, and were planned in collaboration with the Rhinology and Allergy Education and Equilibrium Committees.
• An article on Biochemopreventive Strategies for Head and Neck Cancer was published in the April 2015 issue of the Bulletin.
• Committee Members served as reviewers for AAO-HNSF’s Clinical Practice Guidelines for Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo and Otitis Media with Effusion.

Diversity Committee
Lisa C. Perry-Gilkes, MD, Chair

• Awarded one Under-represented Minority Away Rotation Grant to assist with expenses for a minority medical student attending an away rotation in otolaryngology.
• Members worked with the Academy to update and refresh the grant applications and endowment forms.
• The 2015 Harry Barnes Endowment Travel Grant recipient articles were published in the September Bulletin online issue.
• Collaborated with Society for University Otolaryngologists to develop mechanisms that will increase diversity in student residents and faculty and establish a national and regional network of mentors.
• The committee had articles published the Bulletin:
  • “E-cigarettes: Healthy Alternative or Otolaryngologists’ Nightmare?”
  • “AAO-HNSF Leadership Forum Meeting Summation”
• Finally, the committee has collaborated with AAO-HNS staff on the publishing of the Academy’s Statement on Diversity and diversity-related initiatives.

Endocrine Surgery Committee
Ralph P. Tufano, MD, Chair

• The Endocrine Surgery Committee successfully developed a thyroid and parathyroid course for residents and fellows at COSM and at the 2015 AAO-HNSF Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO^SM.
• The committee also developed a ThyCA course for patients and cancer survivors for the Annual Meeting 2015. The Annual Meeting now includes a specific endocrine surgery track due to the work of the committee.
• The committee was awarded the Model Committee Award.

Equilibrium Committee
Joel Goebel, MD, FRCS, Chair

• The Equilibrium Committee collaborated with the Otology Neurotology Education Committee and AOS/ANS to submit the topic of Ménière’s disease to the Guidelines Task Force (GTF) for consideration at the Fall GTF meeting and will work on producing a position statement on Ménière’s disease.
• The Equilibrium Committee collaborated with Huseyin Isildak, MD, from Penn State to survey the membership about Ménière’s disease. Dr. Goebel and the EC approved the survey, which was distributed to the membership in November 2015.
• Several Equilibrium Committee members collaborated to update information for the Academy’s patient information sheets and provided input for the Disorders of the Equilibrium and Drivers Licensing Board Position Statement.
• 2015 AAO-HNSF Annual Meeting and OTO EXPO^SM Miniseminar:
  • “Ménière’s disease (Jeremy Hornibrook, MD; Judith A. White, MD; and Eric E. Smouha, MD)

Geriatric Otolaryngology Committee
Allan Rubin, MD, Chair

• Ideas were suggested for 2016 Annual Meeting presentations. Brian McKinnon, MD, suggested the committee address the “Education Gap” identified by the Education Needs Assessment. Ideas included:
  • A Miniseminar, Fall Prediction/Prevention of with the Equilibrium Committee: Courtney CJ Voelker, MD, PhD, will lead.
  • An Instruction Course, Prepping the Elder Patient for Surgery will be submitted by Ozlem M.Tulunay-Ugur, MD
  • An Instruction Course, Geriatric Voice, was suggested by Karen M. Kost, MD, FRCSC, possibly to include Robert T. Sataloff, MD, DMA.
• The Resident Resource List will be updated by Carrie L. Nieman, MD, MPH.
• Patient information on age considerations in the treatment of sinusitis will be updated by David R. Edelstein, MD. Kost will write an online overview for www.entnet.org to bridge Geriatric Bulletin articles with more generalized patient information.
• Elliot Regenbogen, MD, will post a reflux in older patients’ survey on our ENTConnect Committee page for its review.

Hearing Committee
Douglas D. Backous, MD, Committee Chair

• Reviewed and updated ototoxicity position statement and suggested changes. The Board of Directors recently approved the proposed revisions. The revised statement can be found here: http://www.entnet.org/content/ototoxicity.
• Reviewed 14 patient health information documents and made recommendations.
• Bone-Anchored Hearing Aids (BAHA) Coverage: Douglas D. Backous, MD, worked with the Academy’s Health Policy team to advocate for Medicare’s continued coverage for osseointegrated implants
• Assisted in the assessment of the Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) Clinical Practice Guideline.
• Participated in the external Peer Review of Otitis Media with Effusion (OME) Clinical Practice Guideline.
• Members of the committee presented the following Miniseminar at the 2015 AAO-HSNF Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO^SM, in Dallas
  • “Ototoxic or Not: Innovations in the Management of Ototoxicity”

Imaging Committee
Christopher Miyamoto, MD, Chair

• Committee members contributed to comments on government policy and regulation; insurance carrier policy and coverage determinations; and several important Academy documents and articles related to CT and other imaging modalities. The committee:
  • Reviewed the Washington Healthcare Authority’s draft report on Imaging for Rhinosinusitis;
  • Continued Academy representation on the American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria® Expert Panel on Neurologic Imaging and Pediatric Imaging by Gavin Setzen, MD;
  • Coordinated with the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission to create a joint statement on cone beam CT (CBCT) technology, and then collaborated with private payers on policies that restrict the use of CBCT scans and/or limit the ability for otolaryngologists to interpret and perform diagnostic imaging services;
  • Reviewed the 2015 Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO^SM imaging-related courses.

Implantable Hearing Devices Committee
Craig A. Buchman, MD, Chair

• AAO-HNSF 2015 Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO^SM in Dallas:
  • Presented a Miniseminar, “Expanding Cochlear Implant Indications: Is My Patient a Candidate?”
• Revised the Red Flags: Warning of Ear Disease position statement.
• Conducted a survey on vaccination practices for cochlear implant patients, the results of which will be used to educate and provide resources to cochlear implant surgeons in the future.
• Played a major role in crafting language to overturn the proposed rule change for Medicare reimbursement of osseointegrated devices. This large-scale effort by Academy Members ultimately was successful.
• Reviewed and commented on UHC and WellPoint policies on cochlear implant coverage, especially as it relates to the recent FDA approval of Hybrid cochlear implants.
• Reviewed and provided edits to the following Patient Information leaflets and fact sheets:
  • Cochlear Implants
  • Cochlear Meningitis Vaccine.
• Finalized a Miniseminar on reporting standard for the reporting of cochlear implant outcomes.

Infectious Disease Committee
Farrel J. Buchinsky, MBChB, Chair

• Infectious Disease committee members submitted the following 2015 Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO^SM Miniseminar proposals:
  • Headline Bugs at Home and Abroad: What Otolaryngologists Should Know (In collaboration with the OREBM Committee);
  • Keep your patients and yourself safe with Infection Control; and
  • The Microbiome in Otolaryngology (In collaboration with the Rhinology Committee).
• Infectious Disease Committee members published the following articles:
  • Buchinsky, MD, Titus S. Ibekwe, FWACS,FMCORL, Segun Segun-Busari, MD, and Tulio A. Valdez, MD, wrote an article on Ebola in the December 2014/January 2015 Bulletin: “The Manifestations of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in Ear, Nose, And Throat, Head and Neck.”
  • Fuad M. Baroody, MD, served as a panelist for the Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG): Allergic Rhinitis.
  • Buchinsky and Valdez served as authors in the January 2015 Journal article: “Current Trends in Perioperative Antibiotic Use: A Survey of Otolaryngologists.”

Media and Public Relations Committee
Wendy B. Stern, Chair

• The committee joined the Patient Safety & Quality Improvement Committee in cosponsoring the Miniseminar, “Mission Impossible: Patient Satisfaction in a Web-Based Culture,” during the 2015 Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO^SM.
• Members of the committee participated in the review of the Academy’s patient health information pamphlets.
• The committee continues to support dissemination of Clinical Practice Guidelines, represented by our chair and staff liaison at Guideline Task Force meetings. Membership-wide emails upon the release of guidelines continue with great success, and relationships built between PR staff and their counterparts at other societies have been fruitful.
• The committee worked on public outreach activities and health observances including Kids ENT Health Month (February); The World Health Organization’s International Ear Care Day & Make Listening Safe Campaign (March); World Voice Day (April); Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Week (April), and Better Hearing and Speech Month (May).

Medical Devices and Drugs Committee
Anand Devaiah, MD, Chair

• Initiated ongoing series of articles for AAO-HNS membership in the Bulletin.
• Submitted comments to the FDA in response to an ANPRM related to exposure warnings and child-resistant packaging for liquid nicotine and other tobacco products.
• Working with AAO-HNS /Health Policy to streamline and coordinate with other committees, providing comments for the FDA inquiry on Tramadol in pediatric adenotonsillectomy.
• Working with AAO-HNS/Health Policy to streamline response to requests from the FDA and other inquiries, with other applicable committees to coordinate an AAO-HNS response.
• Updated the MDDC database for Member expertise. This better enables us to assist the AAO-HNS, government, industry, and others with tasks in alignment with the committee charge.
• Miniseminar topics accepted and/or co-sponsored by the committee for the 2015 AAO-HNS Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO^SM included sialendoscopy and cochlear implants.

Medical Informatics Committee
Jayde M. Steckowych, MD, Chair

• Last year’s highlight was membership survey to determine what software is in use for clinical documentation (EMR) and billing.
• Included in the survey were questions related to information exchange between office EMRs and hospital’s and laboratory’s EHR systems.
• One of the more concerning survey results is 73.59 percent of the respondents indicated that they are unable to exchange Clinical Document Architecture (CDA) documents between their office EMRs and other systems.
• Action items for coming year will include two Bulletin The first article is to cover the survey results. The second article will focus on evaluating EMRs.
• The committee will also be vetting a list of volunteer experts for the various EMR systems in use by Members.
• One of the many questions raised during the committee meeting was, “can patients be given CDA documents instead of simply notes to help get them better care faster?”

Microvascular Committee
Donald T. Weed, MD, Chair

• A manuscript on the multiyear, multicenter review of reconstructive techniques, complications, and outcomes of hypopharyngeal reconstruction after laryngectomy and laryngopharyngectomy following concurrent chemoradiation was completed. The manuscript is in the final stages of author revisions among the multiple participating institutions and will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal for publication consideration. The manuscript will be presented as a consortium publication of the microvascular committee and its participating investigators around the country.  Committee members presented a Miniseminar at the 2015 Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO^SM: “Advanced Skin Cancer of the Scalp and Cheek: Reconstructive Paradigms.”
• Collaborative efforts are underway with the Humanitarian Efforts Committee, the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Committee, the Geriatrics Committee, the Head and Neck Surgery Committee, and others in the conception and planning of four Miniseminar submissions for the 2016 Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO^SM and new collaborative multi-institutional research projects.

Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Committee
David W. Roberson, MD, Co-Chair
Rahul K. Shah, MD, MBA, Co-Chair

• The committee led the process for AAO-HNSF’s second Choosing Wisely^® list published on February 17, 2015.
• Four Miniseminars were accepted for presentation at the 2015 Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO^SM.
• Patient Safety Event Reporting Tool: De-identified data collection from Members on patient safety events to identify areas for education and development of tools for intervention.
• Julie L. Goldman, MD, was appointed to the AAO-HNSF Performance Measures Task Force.
• The committee was a 2015 Model Committee Award winner.
• Each of the leadership team of PSQI represents the Academy at three national quality organizations:
  • National Quality Forum (NQF);
  • ACS Surgical Quality Alliance (SQA); and
  • AMA Physician Consortium for Performance Improvement (PCPI).
• Publications:
  • Life after Tracheostomy: Patient and Family Perspectives on Teaching, Transitions, and Multidisciplinary Teams. Otolaryngology Head Neck Surg. 2015
  • Pediatric Tonsillectomy after the Black Box: Strategies for Keeping Our Patients Safe and Comfortable. Otolaryngology Head Neck Surg. September 2014
  • Quality in Otolaryngology: Where We Have Been and Where We Are Going. Otolaryngology Head Neck Surg. May 2015
  • Embedding Quality and Safety in Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Education. Otolaryngology Head Neck Surg. May 2015.

Pediatric Otolaryngology Committee
David E. Tunkel, MD, Chair

• Represented the AAO-HNS in recommending revisions to Anthem’s new policy for myringotomy and tube placement. Wins include reduction of required conductive hearing loss from 30 dB to 20 dB.
• Reviewed the revised Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG) on otitis media with effusion.
• Submitted content for AAO-HNS publications, including: Kids ENT Month, website, and patient information sheets.
• Assisted with efforts of the AAO-HNS BOG and BOD, ABOto, and others to provide insight and a forum for discussion of pediatric otolaryngology subcertification.
• Provided external reviewers for Cerumen Impaction CPG.
• Reviewed CHEST Treatment of Unexplained Cough Guideline to support AAO-HNS position.
• Continued review/refinement of laryngoplasty codes with AAO-HNS CPT team and AMA-RUC.
• Committee Chair David Tunkel, MD, represented the AAO-HNS at two pediatric otolaryngology pan leadership meetings.
• David R. White, MD, was appointed chair after the 2015 meeting.

Physician Resources Committee
David W. Kennedy, MD, Chair

• Kennedy and a subgroup of committee members were instrumental in providing content to the Academy’s response earlier this year to a request from the House Ways and Means Committee regarding the future of Graduate Medical Education.
• The subgroup on otolaryngology work force numbers continued work on review of data sources including evaluation of clinical FTE’s and the number of part-time or semi-retired physicians. This was an important area identified in the committee’s work last year requiring additional study. The subgroup reviewed the Academy socioeconomic data and also AMA and ACS resources including the Future Doc Forecasting Tool.

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Committee
Donna J. Millay, MD, Chair

• Committee members reviewed and provided edits to the Mandibular Fracture Clinical Indicators and the Le Fort Fracture Clinical Indicators
• The committee assisted in the review of United Healthcare’s updated draft policy for Rhinoplasty and Other Nasal Surgeries
• The committee assisted in the first round of review for the following patient education leaflets and fact sheets
  • Nose Surgery
  • Deviated Septum
  • Ear Plastic Surgery
  • Facial Plastic Surgery
  • Sports Injuries
  • Children and Facial Trauma
  • Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate
  • Skin Cancer

Rhinology & Paranasal Sinus Committee
Joseph Han, MD, Chair

• The committee participated and contributed to the review and/or creation of several Academy documents, including:
  • Co-submission of topic to the Guideline Task Force entitled: Management of Nonallergic Rhinitis;
  • External Peer Review of the Clinical Consensus Statement: Septoplasty;
  • Review of Adult Endoscopic Sinus Surgery Clinical Indicator;
  • Review of Nasal Endoscopy Clinical Indicator;
  • Review of Laryngoscopy/Nasopharyngoscopy Clinical Indicator;
  • Review of Ethmoidectomy Clinical Indicator;
  • Participated in the Development of Clinical Practice Guideline: Adult Sinusitis;
  • Participated in the Development of Clinical Practice Guideline: Allergic Rhinitis;
  • Review of External Survey Request Regarding Frontal Sinus Fractures;
  • Participation on the AAO-HNS FESS Task Force;
  • Review of UHC Balloon Policy Change Proposal;
  • Review of AAO-HNS/F Patient Information Library Materials (e.g., Nasal Fractures, Nosebleeds, Stuffy Noses);
  • Creation of Biomaterials Position Statement.
• In addition, the committee submitted comments to the Washington Healthcare Authority regarding its draft report on Imaging for Rhinosinusitis.

Sleep Disorders Committee
Kathleen Yaremchuk, MD, Chair

• Committee Members drafted a new position statement on hypoglossal nerve stimulator which was reviewed by 3P, but not approved. The 3P workgroup stated that the procedure needs to be more widely used in clinical practice before the position statement can be published. Associated CPT application was drafted, but based on Committee Members” and 3P discussion, submission to AMA was deferred.
• Sleep fellowship article was published in the March 2015 Journal and subsequent Letter to the Editor and associated response were published in April 2015.
• The committee reviewed Aetna’s policy deeming treatment of OSA investigational and plans to work on Position Statement to address issues as needed.

Trauma Committee
Colonel Joseph A. Brennan, MD, Chair

• The Trauma Committee and the Society of Military Otolaryngologists presented a Trauma Symposium on September 27, 2015.
• Multiple members of the Trauma Committee have contributed chapters to the textbook entitled: Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Combat Casualty Care in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Publication of the textbook is anticipated in December 2015, by the Borden Institute. This comprehensive head and neck trauma textbook will have 48 chapters outlining the lessons learned in wartime. Dr. Brennan  and Richard Holt, MD, D-BE, MSE, MPH, (senior member/advisor) are two of the editors of the 702-page book.
• The Miniseminar sponsored by the committee, “Technologic Advances in Facial Trauma and Reconstructive Surgery,” was presented on September 29, 2015.
• Several Trauma Committee members taught head and neck trauma Instruction Courses.
• Anna Pou, MD, became chair of the Trauma Committee on October 1, 2015.

Voice Committee
Michael M. Johns III, MD, Chair

• Dr. Johns volunteered to represent the committee on the upcoming Hoarseness CPG.
• Codes 31575 and 31579 are to be considered for update as augmented new technology. Mark S. Courey, MD, worked with AAO-HNS Consultant, Jenna Minton, to get these assessed. The codes appear to be consistent so far for valuation in the survey. R. Peter Manis, MD, reported for the RUC that because there is adequate evidence these codes have a fair chance of being accepted. He continued that from his observation and experience, the procedure duration weighs more heavily than pre- and post- work ups.  The Final Rule is to come in summer of 2016, making the codes usable in January of 2017.
• CHEST’s Cough Guideline was being considered for endorsement. A Voice Committee representative took part in the consideration.
• Annual Meeting topics were developed and Patient information reviews assigned.
• The spring 2016 AAO-HNS World Voice Day theme “Explore Your Voice” was chosen. A promotional video brief was created in Dallas for that event.

Foundation Committees

Development Committee
Nikhil J. Bhatt, MD

• Hosted event in New York for invited guests to learn about Foundation activities and encourage donations to the Foundation’s Annual Fund.
• Plans underway to conduct a second Donor Event in Boston, MA; followed by several others in select cities.
• Launched new “Legends of Otolaryngology” Annual Fund campaign to recognize those leaders who have made a significant contribution to the field of otolaryngology. Making a donation in honor of the selected Legend is the fundraising component of the program; Eugene Tardy, Jr, MD, was selected as the first honoree.
• The committee thanked Dr. Bhatt for his service as the inaugural Development Committee Coordinator and welcomed Lee D. Eisenberg, MD, MPH, to the position starting October 1, 2015.

Humanitarian Efforts Committee
Merry E. Sebelik, MD, Chair
Susan R. Cordes, MD, Vice-Chair

• The committee welcomed Susan R. Cordes, MD, Sebelik’s successor as Chair of the Humanitarian Efforts Committee.
• The committee presented and lauded the ongoing work of the committee’s thematic Workgroups to better AAO-HNSF humanitarian initiatives:
  • Humanitarian Travel Grant Reviewers Workgroup
  • Scholarly Output Workgroup
  • Humanitarian Portal Reviewers Workgroup
• Committee members seeking greater involvement are welcome to participate in the workgroups.
• The committee, with Mark Zafereo, MD, as facilitator, organized and presented an excellent Humanitarian Open Forum at the 2015 AAO-HNSF Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO^SM in Dallas, showcasing the breadth and variety of work carried out by Academy Members around the world.
• This year, the AAO-HNSF recognized two humanitarians for their tireless work on behalf of underserved populations both domestically and overseas:
  • Dennis Snyder, MD, was awarded the 2015 Distinguished Award for Humanitarian Service for his longstanding commitment to humanitarian work.
  • Susan R. Cordes, MD, was awarded the 2014 Arnold P. Gold Foundation Humanism in Medicine Award for demonstrating empathy and sensitivity in patient care.
• Working with the committee, the AAO-HNSF awarded 30 residents and fellows-in-training with Humanitarian Travel Grants in 2015 to offer services in 13 developing countries.

History & Archives Committee
Lawrence R. Lustig, MD, Chair

• The History and Archives Committee welcomed Marc D. Eisen, MD, as incoming chair.
• The Otolaryngology Historical Society (OHS) held its Annual Meeting and reception featuring presentations by Robert K. Jackler, MD, James Naples, MD, Jeremy Hornibrook, FRACS, and Babak Sadoughi, MD.
• The Academy’s historical archives, formerly stored off-site, have been moved to the office in Alexandria, VA, and will be displayed in the newly renovated historical space, expected to be completed by December 2015. Members will be able to view artwork, historical documents, and artifacts in the newly designed library environment.
• The Bulletin continues to publish monthly articles focusing on the historical aspects of the specialty.
• The committee will be submitting a Miniseminar, “Illuminating the Darkness”, for the 2016 meeting in San Diego.
• The committee will work with AAO-HNS/F staff to update the history portion of the Academy website.

International Otolaryngology Committee
Nikhil J. Bhatt, MD, Chair

• Thanks to the support of our generous Members, a total of 10 International Visiting Scholars (IVS) were welcomed in Dallas this year: Kassim B. Mapondella, MD (Tanzania), Desderius C. Chussi, MD (Tanzania), Rakhi S. Dhotre, MBBS (India), Mariangel A. González, MD (Venezuela), Suven Kalra, MBBS (India), Adriana C. Lucich, MD (Venezuela) Kanika Rana, MD (India), Peter S. Shija, MD (Tanzania), Ali C. Yumusakhuylu, MD (Turkey), and Yilkal Zemene Tassew, MD (Ethiopia).
• The committee welcomed Carl H. Snyderman, MD, Bhatt’s successor as Chair of the International Otolaryngology Committee.
• The committee is actively involved in international member recruitment and engagement, as well as publicizing the AAO-HNSF Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO^SM
• Representatives of the Academy and committee attended a number of important international meetings in Europe, Asia, and South America to further the global exchange of medical knowledge and scientific expertise.

Outcomes, Research and Evidence-Based Medicine Committee
Jennifer J. Shin, MD, SM, Chair

• Presented the following at AAO-HNSF 2015 Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO^SM in Dallas:
  • Miniseminar:
    • Topical Therapy for Chronic Rhinosinusitis: Snake Oil or Cure?
    • Controversies in Parotid Surgery: Is There Evidence?
  • My Practice Report Cards: Financial Impact, Public Domain and the AAO-HNSF
  • Abstract/Oral Presentation:
    • Parotid Fine-Needle Aspiration: Systematic Review & Meta-Analysis
    • Ménière’s disease CHEER Database Study of Regional Practice Patterns

• Multiple manuscripts published, in press, or submitted:
  • Evidence-Based Medicine in Otolaryngology Part 5: Decision Aids ;
  • Sensitivity, Specificity, and Post-test Probability of Parotid Fine-Needle Aspiration: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis;
  • Thyroid Disease and Surgery in the Nation’s Otolaryngology Practice Based Network;
  • Ménière’s disease : A CHEER Database Study of Local/Regional Patient Encounter Patterns;
  • A CHEER Database Study of Local/Regional Patient Encounter Patterns;
  • Antihistamines for Otitis Media with Effusion: Quality Improvement Opportunities;
  • Antibiotics for Otitis Media with Effusion in Children: Prescribing Patterns.
• Supported the Physician Consortium for Performance Improvement staff meeting with the National Quality Forum.
• Completed a tubes registry intake template that captured data relevant to the tympanostomy tube guidelines.
• Reviewed the American College of Chest Physicians Tools for Assessing Outcomes in Studies of Chronic Cough: CHEST Guideline and Expert Panel Report, which AAO-HNSF ultimately endorsed
• Work continues on MarketScan data analysis projects on Sleep Apnea and Dysphonia.

Panamerican Committee
Juan Manuel Garcia Gomez, MD, Chair

• Pablo Stolovitzky, MD, AAO-HNSF Regional Advisor for Latin America, together with Dr. Garcia, praised the cooperation of Panamerican ORL Societies and the Academy, and proposed ways of further strengthening the bonds between U.S. and Latin American ORL communities to include reinstating a webcast at the Annual Meeting, creating incentives for International Corresponding Societies (ICS) to promote AAO-HNSF Annual Meetings, and introducing more Spanish-language content in Annual Meeting programming.
• The committee is hopeful that committee members and Academy affiliates with ties to the Latin American region will promote the 2016 AAO-HNSF Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO^SM in San Diego, California.
• Garcia encouraged attendance at the June 2016 XXXV Panamerican Congress of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery in Havana, Cuba. All committee members will actively participate in the scientific program. Hector Ruiz, MD, is the current Secretary-General of the Panamerican Association of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.
• The resident exchange program launched by Dr. Garcia, with Dr. Pablo Stolovitzky, Gregory W. Randolph, MD, and Mark E. Zafereo, Jr., MD, has hosted U.S. and Latin American residents in U.S. programs and programs in Colombia, Mexico, and Venezuela.
• Committee members will submit proposals for Miniseminars and Instruction Courses at the 2016 Annual Meeting. Dr. Garcia hopes to incorporate Panamerican Committee sessions as a regular feature at all Annual Meetings.

Education Committees

Education Steering Committee
Sonya M. Malekzadeh, MD, Chair, Coordinator for Education

• The Education Steering Committee provided leadership on several initiatives in 2015, most importantly the design, build, and launch of the new AcademyU^® Learning platform. All eight education committees had representatives on the LMS Working Group, who served as pilot testers and content contributors. The new platform would not have been possible without the dedicated efforts of these individuals.
• Richard V. Smith, MD, has assumed the role of Coordinator of Education, taking over for Sonya Malekzadeh who completed her four-year term.

Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Education Committee
Randall Jordan, MD, Chair

• FPRSEC developed a Certification/Recertification Review Course for the Annual Meeting in Dallas.
• The committee also reviewed and updated AcademyQ questions for increased accuracy and developed AcademyQ CME modules available for credit in AcademyU.
• They contributed exam items for the 2015 Academic Bowl
• Committee members served on three newly formed Work Groups:
  • Innovation
  • Nonphysician Clinician
  • Education Marketing.
• The committee named a member to represent the committee in the development of a rhinoplasty clinical practice guideline.

General Otolaryngology Education Committee
Karen T. Pitman, MD, Chair

• GOEC provided leadership to the fourth successful ENT for the PA-C conference held in conjunction with SPAO in Newport Beach, CA.
• The committee developed a Certification/Recertification Review Course for the Annual Meeting in Dallas.
• The committee reviewed and updated AcademyQ questions for increased accuracy and developed AcademyQ CME modules available for credit in AcademyU.
• The committee contributed exam items for the 2015 Academic Bowl.
• Members of the committee served on three newly formed Work Groups:
  • Innovation
  • Nonphysician Clinician
  • Education Marketing.
• Stacey Ishman, MD, now serves as the chair.

Head and Neck Surgery Education Committee
Richard V. Smith, MD, Chair

• HNSEC developed a Home Study Course on “Neoplastic and Inflammatory Diseases of the Head and Neck.”
• The committee developed a Certification/Recertification Review Course for the Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO^SM in Dallas.
• The committee reviewed and updated AcademyQ questions for increased accuracy and developed AcademyQ CME modules available for credit in AcademyU.
• The committee contributed Exam Items for the 2015 Academic Bowl.
• Members of the committee served on three newly formed Work Groups:
  • Innovation
  • Nonphysician Clinician
  • Education Marketing.
• Alfred Simental, MD, now serves as chair.

Laryngology and Bronchoesophagology Education Committee
Catherine R. Lintzenich, MD, Chair

• LBEC developed a Home Study Course on “Laryngology, Voice Disorders, and Bronchoesophagology.”
• The committee developed a Certification/Recertification Review Course for the Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO^SM in Dallas.
• The committee reviewed and updated AcademyQ questions for increased accuracy and developed AcademyQ CME modules available for credit in AcademyU.
• The committee contributed Exam Items for the 2015 Academic Bowl.
• Members of the committee served on three newly formed Work Groups:
  • Innovation
  • Nonphysician Clinician
  • Education Marketing.

Otology and Neurotology Education Committee
Bradley W. Kesser, MD, Chair

• ONEC developed a Home Study Course on “Otology and Neurotology.”
• The committee developed a Certification/Recertification Review Course for the Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO^SM in Dallas.
• The committee reviewed and updated AcademyQ questions for increased accuracy and developed AcademyQ CME modules available for credit in AcademyU.
• The committee contributed exam items for the 2015 Academic Bowl.
• Members of the committee served on three newly formed Work Groups:
  • Innovation
  • Nonphysician Clinician
  • Education Marketing.
• They also named two members to represent the committee in the development of Cerumen Impaction and BPPV clinical practice guidelines.

Pediatric Otolaryngology Education Committee
Kenny H. Chan, MD, Chair

• POEC developed a Certification/Recertification Review Course for the Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO^SM in Dallas.
• The committee reviewed and updated AcademyQ questions for increased accuracy and developed AcademyQ CME modules available for credit in AcademyU.
• The committee contributed exam items for the 2015 Academic Bowl.
• Members of the committee served on three newly formed Work Groups:
  • Innovation
  • Nonphysician Clinician
  • Education Marketing.
• Jeffrey Simons, MD now serves as the chair.

Practice Management Education Committee
Brendan C. Stack, MD, Chair

• PMEC continues to provide policy and content oversight to the Coding and Reimbursement workshops held regionally each year.
• The committee developed a Certification/Recertification Review Course for the Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO^SM in Dallas.
• The committee reviewed and updated AcademyQ questions for increased accuracy and developed AcademyQ CME modules available for credit in AcademyU.
• The committee contributed exam items for the 2015 Academic Bowl.
• Committee members served on three newly formed Work Groups:
  • Innovation
  • Nonphysician Clinician
  • Education Marketing.

Rhinology and Allergy Education Committee
Brent A. Senior, MD, Chair

• RAEC published a Home Study Course on “Rhinology and Allergic Disorders Analysis.”
• The committee developed a Certification/Recertification Review Course for the Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO^SM in Dallas.
• The committee reviewed and updated AcademyQ questions for increased accuracy and developed AcademyQ CME modules available for credit in AcademyU.
• The committee contributed exam items for the 2015 Academic Bowl.
• Members of the committee served on three newly formed Work Groups:
  • Innovation
  • Nonphysician Clinician
  • Education Marketing.

Board of Governors (BOG) Committees
Wendy B. Stern, MD, Chair

With the leadership and oversight of its Executive Committee, the following are highlights of BOG activities in 2014-2015:

2015 AAO-HNS/F Leadership Forum

• This year’s Forum was a successful meeting with 133 attendees—30 of whom were Residents and Fellows-in-Training. The three-day event included the following BOG programming:
  • a new mentorship/leadership program;
  • committee meetings;
  • General Assembly with Presidential candidate speeches;
  • Congressional and other guest speakers on key healthcare topics; and
  • 4 CME credits.

SAVE THE DATE – 2016 AAO-HNS/F Leadership Forum & BOG Spring Meeting, March 18-21, Alexandria, VA.

2015 BOG Awards

• The Pennsylvania Academy of Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery was awarded the Model Society Award.
• The Connecticut Ear, Nose & Throat Society was awarded the Model Society Honorable Mention Award.
• Robert J. Stachler, MD, was awarded the BOG Practitioner Excellence Award.

BOG General Assembly

• At the BOG General Assembly meeting held during the AAO-HNSF Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO^SM, Stacey L. Ishman, MD, MPH, was elected BOG Chair-Elect and Ken Yanagisawa, MD, and was elected BOG Secretary. On October 1, 2015, David R. Edelstein, MD, assumed the role of BOG Chair, and Wendy B. Stern, MD, became Immediate Past Chair.

BOG Governance & Society Engagement
Stacey L. Ishman, MD, MPH, Chair

• Formerly the Rules and Regulations Committee, the committee updated its committee charge and name to better reflect its outreach activities, and it updated the BOG bylaws and the forms required for new societies to apply for BOG status.
• The committee has completed an audit of all BOG member societies and developed member society engagement resources.
• The American Society of Geriatric Otolaryngology (ASGO) applied to become part of the BOG and was approved by the BOG Executive Committee.

BOG Legislative Affairs Committee
Susan R. Cordes, MD, Chair

• The committee created two new taskforces—one focusing on ENT PAC participation and the second concentrating on legislative grassroots engagement—which convene via conference call on a quarterly basis.
• The committee continues to promote the State Tracker program and recruitment of volunteers for the In-district Grassroots Outreach (I-GO) program.

BOG Socioeconomic & Grassroots (SEGR) Committee
Ken Yanagisawa, MD, Chair

• The committee conducted two surveys to local, state, national, and specialty society members. The first survey topic was regarding alternative payment models and the latter discussed the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
• The Committee also worked to clarify its focus, namely (1) Insurance Issues, (2) Practice Management Issues, and (3) Public Relations Efforts.
• In addition, a tool kit is now available on ENTConnect for BOG Regional Representatives that includes contact information, a regional map, job descriptions, and an updated committee charge.

Section for Residents and Fellows-in-Training (SRF)
Meghan N. Wilson, MD, Chair

The Section for Residents and Fellows-in-Training (SRF) functions to facilitate communication regarding issues of interest to otolaryngology–head and neck surgery residents and fellows, as well as promote resident and fellow involvement in AAO-HNS/F activities.

Highlights of SRF activities this past year include:

• Increasing mentorship opportunities was a priority for the year. This was done successfully through SRF input during the design and launch of mENTorConnect, as well as in-person mentoring opportunities during the AAO-HNS/F Leadership Forum in March 2015.
• The 2015 SRF Annual Survey was completed in the spring, providing data on current residency training, as well as allowing us to evaluate trends of the past 13 years that the survey has been conducted.
• SRF liaisons have attended AMA, ACS, and SUO meetings, representing our section and otolaryngology trainees.
• The SRF had a well-attended General Assembly at the Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO^SM in Dallas. For the first time, the format included guest speakers. Barry M. Schaitkin, MD, and Richard A. Chole, MD, educated attendees on both avoiding and navigating medical malpractice lawsuits and Spencer C. Payne, MD, spoke on identifying and preventing burnout.
• The SRF, with additional panelists, hosted two Miniseminars, “From Best Evidence to Best Practice” and “Protect your Practice, Protect Yourself, and Protect your Family.”
• At the SRF General Assembly, the following new Governing Council officers were elected:
  • Meghan N. Wilson, MD, Chair
  • Peter M. Vila, MD, Vice Chair
  • Juliana Bonilla-Velez, MD, Member-at-Large
  • Kara S. Davis, MD, Information Officer
  • Sean Lewis, MD, BOG Governor
  • Carla V. Valenzuela, MD, BOG Legislative Representative
  • Claire M. Lawlor, MD, BOG SEGR Representative
  • Nikhila M. Raol, MD, MPH, continues as Immediate Past Chair

Women in Otolaryngology (WIO) Section

Christine B. Franzese, MD, Chair

The Women in Otolaryngology (WIO) Section seeks to support women otolaryngologists by identifying their needs, fostering their development, and promoting women as leaders in the specialty.

WIO Section Committees

• Each of the six WIO committees conducted committee meetings to plan and coordinate their activities for the year. The 2014-15 committee chairs were:
  • Awards, Valerie A. Flanary, MD
  • Communications, Erika A. Woodson, MD
  • Endowment, Pell Ann Wardrop, MD
  • Leadership Development and Mentorship, Carol R. Bradford, MD
  • Program, Suman Golla, MD
  • Research and Survey, Jamie R. Litvack, MD
• Section activities are open to all female Academy Members who are strongly encouraged to participate and apply for membership to WIO Committees or run for an elected office.

WIO Communications Committee
Erika A. Woodson, MD, Chair

• The Section’s Communications Committee connects WIO members via several media outlets including Bulletin articles, quarterly eNewsletters, and an active social media presence.
• The committee pushed its social media presence to 663 Facebook followers, and increased the “open” rate of its quarterly eNewsletter to 31 percent.

WIO Endowment Committee
Pell Ann Wardrop, MD, Chair

• The WIO Endowment Committee continues to oversee and implement fundraising strategies to increase the endowment.
• The endowment had contributions of $21K during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015.
• Increased communication about use of the Endowment and how it serves to meet the goals of the WIO Section are planned for the upcoming year.

WIO General Assembly

• At the AAO-HNSF 2015 Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO^SM, the Program Committee kicked off the session with a panel presentation entitled “Do we Still Need General Otolaryngologists?”
• The Awards Committee presented the Helen F. Krause, MD Trailblazer Award to Sukgi S. Choi, MD.
• The WIO Nominating Committee (Mona M. Abaza, MD, chair; Elizabeth A. Blair MD, and Mary E. Gorman, MD) reviewed several applications and nominations for the 2015 elections. Elections were conducted during the WIO General Assembly with the following results:
  • Ayesha N. Khalid, MD, Chair-Elect
  • Samantha Anne, MD, Member-at-Large
  • Kristina Hart, MD, Historian.
• Via roundtable discussions, General Assembly attendees had the opportunity to network with their colleagues and learn more about WIO Section committees and AAO-HNS leadership opportunities.
• The Section recognized the graduating group of WIO leaders enrolled in the inaugural Women’s Leadership course and discussed plans to continue the program in the future.

WIO Program Committee
Suman Golla, MD, Chair

• The Program Committee submitted a jointly-sponsored Miniseminar, “Negotiate, Resonate, & Participate,” that was well-received.

Young Physicians Section (YPS)
Larry M. Simon, MD, Chair

The YPS had a successful inaugural year with numerous accomplishments including:

• Strengthened relationship with AMA-YPS. Our delegate submitted two written reports and was appointed to the AMA Council for MOC/MOL.
• Worked with BOG to produce mentorship program at Spring Leadership Forum.
• Coordinated with WIO, SRF, BOG, and BOD to launch mENTorConnect.
• Worked with Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery to both continue “Reflections,” with three published this year, and to produce the special 40 under 40 edition featuring over 60 publications by young physicians.
• Held the first YPS General Assembly and presented our feature Miniseminar, “Getting Started: Conquering Challenges in the First Years of Practice.”
• Established three taskforces for the upcoming year: Programming, Recruitment, and Communications.

YPS is actively seeking your involvement in the taskforces and other positions. Please visit ENTConnect or the YPS Facebook page for further details.

Advisory Committees, Workgroups, & Task Forces

Ad Hoc Payment Model Workgroup
Jane T. Dillon, MD, MBA, Co-Chair
Robert Lorenz, MD, MBA, Co-Chair

• Alternative Payment Models Experience: In collaboration with BOG, developed a survey to BOG SEGR members to gather information for review and disseminated to membership via ENTConnect postings. These experiences were expanded upon during a 2015 Annual Meeting and OTO EXPO^SM Miniseminar, “New Payment Models: Effects on Otolaryngology Reimbursement”
• MarketScan Data Analysis: Initiated a utilization review analysis of Medicare and commercial data on PQRS Measure #333: Computerized Tomography for Acute Sinusitis (Overuse) to identify a possible way for otolaryngologists to contribute to the new value-based payment system.
• GAO Physician-Focused Payment Model Technical Advisory Committee (PTAC): AAO-HNS signed onto a Surgical Coalition letter for the committee to include a surgeon, an otolaryngologist, and Academy Member, Jeffrey Bailet, MD, was appointed to the committee.

Centralized Otolaryngology Research Efforts (CORE) Study Section
Christine G. Gourin, MD, Chair, Head & Neck Surgery
David R. Friedland, MD, PhD, Chair, Otology
Rodney J. Schlosser, MD, Chair, General Otolaryngology

• This year the CORE Study Section reviewed 163 applications seeking $2,539,225 in research funding. The 2015 CORE leadership (including the boards and councils of all participating societies) approved a portfolio of 35 grants totaling $519,006 ($278,751 specifically awarded by AAO-HNSF and its sponsors including Alcon, Cook Medical, and Oticon).
• Instruction Course presented at the 2015 Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO^SMin Dallas
  • “Winning Grants from CORE, NIH, and More” (Cherie-Ann O. Nathan, MD; Robert L. Ferris, MD, PhD; Alan G. Cheng, MD; Andrew P. Lane, MD)

Instruction Course Advisory Committee
Sukgi S. Choi, MD, Chair

• After several years of examination, the Program Advisory Committee and Instruction Course Advisory Committee Chairs redesigned the schedule and opportunities presented during the Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO^SM. This newly redesigned program was launched at the 2015 Annual Meeting in September.
• Inclusive of the redesign, Instruction Courses were included in the regular Annual Meeting registration fee.
• Seven Instruction Course Review Courses were presented throughout the meeting:“Facial Plastic Surgery,” “General Otolaryngology,” ”Head and Neck Surgery,” “Laryngology/Bronchoesophagology,” “Pediatric,” Otology and Neurotology,” and “Rhinology and Allergy.” These extended courses, two-hours long, were designed to help members prepare for the MOC Part III cognitive exam.

Performance Measures Task Force
Richard M. Rosenfeld, MD, MPH, Chair

• Held first in person meeting in February 2015 and subsequent conference calls to assure alignment in measures development strategy.
• Secured National Quality Forum Endorsement for the AAO-HNSF Acute Otitis Externa and Otitis Media with Effusion measures.

Physician Payment Policy (3P) Work Group
Jane T. Dillon, MD, MBA, Co-Chair
Robert Lorenz, MD, MBA, Co-Chair

• Developed process for prioritization of general and payer requests
• Six meetings with private payers: UHC regarding Balloon Sinus Ostial Dilation, collaboration on Alternative Payment Models (APMs), and Premium Designation Program; Anthem regarding transparency in their policy review process and their Myringotomy and Tympanostomy Tube policy; and Superior Health regarding their allergy policy
• Reviewed and approved the joint statement on CBCT technology
• Worked with laryngology subspecialties to develop laryngoplasty code change proposal; presented to AMA CPT Editorial Panel
• RUC surveyed Flexible Laryngoscopy Family of codes for the October RUC meeting.
• Reviewed two Position Statements (Biomaterials and Ototoxicity) and two Clinical Indicators (Tracheostomy and Parotidectomy).
• Supported two Annual Meeting submissions
• Served as Clinical Practice Guideline External Reviewers for Otitis Media, Adult Sinusitis, Rhinoplasty, and BPPV

Program Advisory Committee
Eben L. Rosenthal, MD, Scientific Program Coordinator

• After several years of examination, the Program Advisory Committee and Instruction Course Advisory Committee Chairs redesigned the schedule and opportunities presented during the Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO^SM. This newly redesigned program was launched at the 2015 Annual Meeting in September.
• The redesigned meeting allowed Miniseminar, Scientific Oral Presentations, and Instruction Courses to be scheduled concurrently Sunday through Wednesday.
• The Annual Meeting Scientific Program included two Masters of Surgery Video Presentations sessions.
• A “Best of Orals” 80-minute session was held during the Annual Meeting on Sunday morning at 10:00 am. The session includes 12 of the highest-rated oral submissions representing all the subspecialties topics.

Registry Task Force
Lisa E. Ishii, MD, MHS, Chair

• Met with Avalere Health to gain an understanding of registry functions to inform AAO-HNSF registry strategy.
• Discussed different approaches to a clinical data registry and which disease state(s) should be considered in a registry for the specialty.
• Provided feedback to staff work including environmental scan; the clinical data registry approach; and participated in registry vendor educational summit and regular Task Force calls to assure alignment.
• Approved the selection of two final registry vendors and proceeding with the RFI/RFP processes
• A Regent Miniseminar entitled, “The Power of Data: Creating a Data Registry for Otolaryngology” was held at Annual Meeting 2015