Published: April 3, 2018

Board of Governors: “I wish somebody would have told me … someday, these will be the good old days”

I might be the first Board of Governors (BOG) Executive Committee member to quote a rap artist in a Bulletin post, but these lyrics from the Macklemore/Kesha song capture my thoughts perfectly. The song is a nostalgic recollection of the artists’ memories and a wish that someone could have reminded them to enjoy “the magic of the good old days” as it was happening.

I might be the first Board of Governors (BOG) Executive Committee member to quote a rap artist in a Bulletin post, but these lyrics from the Macklemore/Kesha song capture my thoughts perfectly. The song is a nostalgic recollection of the artists’ memories and a wish that someone could have reminded them to enjoy “the magic of the good old days” as it was happening. As the daily chaos of work continues, I sometimes catch myself stopping to reflect on what I am doing. Every day we are asked to give just a little more, whether it is serving on a task force, participating in a research project, or joining a committee. Adding one more thing to our schedules means there is less time for ourselves and the potential of missing the moment or the good old days.

Samantha Anne, MD BOG SecretarySamantha Anne, MD
BOG Secretary

I choose my work commitments and how I spend my time carefully. So why did I choose to serve on the BOG? Why do I serve on committees? Why did I attend the AAO-HNS/F 2018 Leadership Forum & BOG Spring Meeting? Why do I focus my career and research on pediatric hearing loss and speech delay? At the end of the day, the answer is simple: It matters to me.

Being on the BOG affords me the opportunity to learn, to influence the decisions that shape the Academy, and to benefit from a wealth of knowledge, experience, and mentorship of people around me. The BOG Spring Meeting serves the same purpose but with personal one-on-one interactions in a small meeting setting. I had the opportunity to hear from the candidates for President-Elect and ask them their thoughts on the vision for the Academy. I was able to participate in committee meetings, and I learned about the latest legislative and regulatory issues. Lastly, I was able to reconnect with friends and colleagues from across the country.

As we look forward to May and the arrival of spring, I am very excited for May’s Better Hearing and Speech Month. For me, here is another opportunity to do something meaningful and to make a difference in patients’ lives. The month is dedicated to “rais(ing) awareness about communication disorders and available treatment options that can improve the quality of life for those who experience problems speaking, understanding, or hearing.” There are many ways to support efforts, including speaking to local media about noise protection, meeting local pediatricians and/or schools to raise awareness about detection of hearing and speech disorders, or simply posting brochures (available on the AAO-HNS website: www.entnet.org/content/patient-health) in your clinic.

We all have choices regarding how we spend our time at work. I personally elect to spend my time participating in activities and advocating for issues that matter most to me. So when I look back, I know that I will have spent my time valuing what I do and cherishing these “good old days.”

More from April 2018 – Vol. 37, No. 3
Aao Hns
Candidate Statements
This month’s Bulletin highlights the exceptional work of the Nominating Committee, chaired by Gregory W. Randolph, MD, in selecting the group of outstanding candidates for office that you will see in the subsequent pages. The Boards of Directors have just approved a new Strategic Plan that will guide us over the next three to five years, as well as the new theme and logo seen on our cover this month.
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Annual Meeting International Guests of Honor Series: Ear, Nose and Throat Society of South Africa
As President of the AAO-HNS/F, it is my great honor and privilege to welcome the delegation from the Ear, Nose and Throat, Head and Neck Society of South Africa to the AAO-HNSF 2018 Annual Meeting & OTO Experience in Atlanta, GA, in October.
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The AAO-HNSF 2018 Annual Meeting & OTO Experience is coming!
Mark your calendars now for the preeminent global meeting devoted to sharing new advances in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery, October 7-10, 2018, in the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, GA. Registration opens next month in May.
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We are one: Otolaryngology united for ENT patient care
As the Academy and Foundation move forward as contemporary organizations under the guidance of our updated Strategic Plan and vision for the future, it is only fitting that we update our theme and professional logo.
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Advocacy win: Anthem rescinds Modifier 25 policy
In the fall of 2017, Anthem announced its plan to reimburse Evaluation and Management (E/M) services at a 50 percent rate when a significant, separately identifiable E/M service (appended with the 25 modifier) and surgery/diagnostic procedural service were performed on the same day.
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Community service activity at the AAO-HNSF 2018 Annual Meeting & OTO Experience—Making global impacts a reality
With an emphasis on improving the quality of life of people, communities, and healthcare facilities and hospitals in low-resource areas around the globe, the AAO-HNSF is proud to be partnering with MedShare, a 501c(3) humanitarian aid organization.
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Call for action: Setting the pace for humanitarian efforts
It was the first time they met, but the room was filled with mutual admiration and respect as Eugene N. Myers, MD, and Vlora Çitaku, Ambassador of the Republic of Kosovo, sat down together to discuss Dr. Myers’ efforts to supply medical equipment to the ENT Head and Neck Clinic at the University Clinical Center of Kosovo in Pristina, the capital city.
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Humanitarian service: Sustainable hearing screening pilot in Kenya
Asitha Jayawardena, MD, MPH, and Charissa N. Kahue, MD, traveled to Malindi, Kenya, in October 2017 with the support of the Academy Humanitarian Travel Grant with Jim Netterville, MD, and his More than Medicine annual head and neck mission trip based out of the Tawfiq Muslim Hospital.
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Academy Advantage Premium Partner: The Doctors Company | Doctors examine injury risks with malpractice closed claims
Taking a close look at research into real-life malpractice claims and incorporating some of the findings into their practices is one way physicians are reducing risks of adverse events.
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Member resource: AAO-HNS releases two new Position Statements
Position Statements are used to designate a statement, policy, or declaration of the AAO-HNS/F on a particular topic or set of topics. Two new Position Statements recently were approved for use in state and federal advocacy efforts, or to clarify the AAO-HNS/F approval or disapproval of certain practices in medicine.
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Practice profile: Raise your hand
Kathleen L. Yaremchuk, MD, MSA, is the Chair of the Henry Ford Hospital’s Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, a personal accomplishment for her. She talked with Bulletin staff regarding gender disparity in opportunities for leadership roles across the country and academic settings.
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ABOto announces new executive director
The Board of Directors of the American Board of Otolaryngology (ABOto) is pleased to announce that Brian Nussenbaum, MD, has assumed the role of Executive Director effective January 1, 2018.
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“We are one”
This year, the Academy has selected “We Are One” as our Annual Meeting & OTO Experience theme and new organizational brand. This is who we are and what we represent across all areas of our membership.
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Leadership, mentorship, and resilience
We are entering another election cycle at AAO-HNS, and it is gratifying and reassuring to reflect on the well-qualified slate of candidates for leadership positions in our Academy.