Published: May 29, 2019

NIH names AAO-HNS Member, Debara L. Tucci, MD, MS, MBA, director of the NIDCD

Debara L. Tucci, MD, MS, MBA, has been selected to lead the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) as its new director. Dr. Tucci is currently the professor of surgery and director of the cochlear implant program in the Division of Head and Neck Surgery & Communication Sciences at Duke University in Durham, NC.

Debara L. Tucci, MD, MS, MBA
Debara L. Tucci, MD, MS, MBA, has been selected to lead the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) as its new director. Dr. Tucci is currently the professor of surgery and director of the cochlear implant program in the Division of Head and Neck Surgery & Communication Sciences at Duke University in Durham, NC. A long-time and active member of the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS), she is the recipient of the AAO-HNS Distinguished Service Award and Jerome C. Goldstein, MD Public Service Award. Dr. Tucci also served on the AAO-HNS Research Advisory Board, Board of Directors, Executive Committee, and numerous subcommittees. She is expected to join NIH on September 3, 2019.

https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/nih-names-dr-debara-l-tucci-next-director-national-institute-deafness-other-communication-disorders

More from June 2019 – Vol. 38, No. 5

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Advocacy highlights from the AAO-HNS/F 2019 Leadership Forum & BOG Spring Meeting

Following the success of the third annual State OTO Society Roundtable, the AAO-HNS/F 2019 Leadership Forum & BOG Spring Meeting, held April 26-28 in Alexandria, VA, included several advocacy-related sessions in which attendees learned about the importance of making their voices heard at the state and federal levels.

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Making connections through coalitions

One of the most effective ways the Academy advocates on behalf of the specialty is through ongoing participation in a number of coalitions. The collective advocacy from organizations on shared issues further strengthens the Academy’s ability to advance federal and state legislative policy and regulatory priorities.

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What I-GO is all about

As an otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeon, you know all too well the challenges faced in the day-to-day practice of medicine. Increased liability premiums, a challenging reimbursement environment, and burdensome government regulations continue to threaten the viability of your practice and can hinder your ability to provide patients with the highest quality care.

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ENT PAC launches “ResidenTen” program for resident physicians

Did you know that ENT PAC, the Academy’s nonpartisan, issue-driven, political action committee, recently launched a new campaign for AAO-HNS physician residents? The “ResidenTen” initative aims to underscore the importance of the Academy’s political programs with the next generation of Academy members.

Increased payer coverage

Advocacy staff constantly monitors improvements and updates to private payer policy decisions. We are happy to announce the following increases in coverage:

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Tackling private payer denials

The Academy diligently advocates for full and appropriate reimbursement for procedures performed by otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeons and the patients they treat. Since last June’s annual Advocacy issue of the Bulletin, the Health Policy Advocacy Team tackled detrimental national policies and local payer denials and gaps in coverage.

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Get to know New Orleans

Imagine meeting in a city where cultures collide in a brilliant explosion of flavors, emotions, and sounds. New Orleans is the birthplace of jazz, home to Creole cuisine, and rich with history and culture. It is centrally located with a walkable downtown and world-class convention facilities.

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Our town: The Big Easy

What do you love most about New Orleans?

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10 Tips for converging with the specialty’s leading experts at #OTOMTG19

New Orleans serves as the intersection where there’s no wrong turn, from groundbreaking education sessions to networking events with the global ENT community to the OTO Experience. While you’re absorbing the latest science and new clinical approaches, take advantage of the many events available to expand your professional network and tap the minds of leaders.

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Trauma Symposium: On eve of Annual Meeting

The AAO-HNS Trauma Committee and the Society of Military Otolaryngologists’ Trauma Symposium will present “Modern Management of H&N Trauma: Nonvascularized Grafts and Trauma Care in the Developing World” at 5:00 pm, Saturday, September 14, at the AAO-HNSF 2019 Annual Meeting & OTO Experience in New Orleans, LA.

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Preconference Workshops

This one-day course addresses current advances in minimally invasive salivary gland surgery. The morning features didactic lectures by leaders in this cutting-edge field.

Annual Meeting Program Spotlight: How to thrive in otolaryngology practice

Learn about alternatives and opportunities to enhance your ability to participate in evolving payment models through advanced practice structure and networking, adopting state-of-the-art office-based diagnostic and therapeutic technology, and validating treatment outcomes.

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#OTOMTG19 honorary guest lecturers

Presented in order of appearance.

P. Daniel Ward, MD.

PRACTICE PROFILE: Face-to-face with patients

Prior to starting his private practice, Dr. Ward was a full-time faculty member at the University of Utah. This was the starting point of his career after completing his fellowship and residency at the University of Michigan.

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Proposed fiscal year 2020 (FY20) combined budget

The Executive Committees (ECs) of the AAO-HNS/F Boards of Directors (BODs) were presented with the Financial and Investment Subcommittee (FISC) proposed budget for the next fiscal year, July 1, 2019 – June 30, 2020 (FY20), and endorsed it for approval by the BODs. During their April meeting, the BODs reviewed and conditionally approved the FY20 budget that is presented here to the membership.

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American Neurotology Society Report: ANS on the move

Barry Hirsch, MD, President of the American Neurotology Society (ANS), Craig A. Buchman, MD, Education Director, and Howard W. Francis, MD, Education Director-Elect, along with the ANS Scientific Program Committee, assembled a lively, up-to-the-minute program at this year’s Combined Otolaryngology Spring Meetings (COSM).

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International Advisory Board (IAB) Chair-Elect election

The AAO-HNS call for nominees for Chair-Elect of the International Advisory Board (IAB) was highly successful and resulted in the submission of several highly qualified candidates for the position. The IAB Executive Committee selected Sheng-Po Hao, MD, Taipei, Taiwan, and Karl Hoermann, MD, Mannheim, Germany, as the candidates for Chair-Elect. The election will be held at the AAO-HNSF 2019 Annual Meeting & OTO Experience in New Orleans, Louisiana.

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Board of Governors: TEAM = Together Everyone Achieves More

I am often asked why I love being a member of the Board of Governors (BOG). The BOG is a grassroots network within the Academy that is composed of local, state, regional, and specialty societies from around the United States.

James C. Denneny III, MD AAO-HNS/F EVP/CEO

Healthcare’s crushing storm

Meaningful healthcare reform at the federal level may be on the way. After treading water while the Affordable Care Act has been debated, public intolerance has forced both political parties to address a worsening situation.

Albert L. Merati, MD AAO-HNS/F Past President

“I am an otolaryngologist”

On April 27, 2019, I had the great privilege of presiding over the annual Specialty Unity Summit convened by the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery and comprised of all the major organizations in our field. Physician and administrative leaders from an otolaryngology alphabet soup were in attendance.