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April 2016 - Vol. 35, No. 03
Informing your vote
It’s a big election year nationally, with a presidential contest that has captured well-warranted attention. In midst of the sound bites and partisan rhetoric, we ask you to take a moment from politics to focus your attention on the important election season for the American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery.
Leading Edge
Opportunities abound
The recently concluded AAO-HNS/F Leadership Forum & BOG Spring Meeting, hosted in Alexandria, VA, was one of the most comprehensive gatherings I’ve attended in some time. The meeting was highlighted by the Specialty Unity Summit, the Boards of Directors planning meeting, the Board of Governors assembly, and the unveiling of the recently renovated Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery History exhibit at Academy headquarters.
Great slate of candidates
In this issue of the Bulletin, our future leaders get the chance to tell us about themselves. Each candidate is competing against colleagues and friends. Many have worked together on Academy projects. I remember agonizing about what to write for my statement.
Antimicrobial stewardship in otolaryngology
It is an oft-touted statistic that about half of all antibiotics are used inappropriately—a statistic garnered from inpatient and outpatient surveys of antibiotic usage rates, compared against specific diagnosis codes, and in some instances with a degree of “expert opinion” thrown in for good measure. What, after all, should be considered inappropriate usage?
BETTER HEARING AND SPEECH MONTHToning down noise-induced hearing lossExpanded from the print edition
The American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) Hearing Committee works together with its Members and allied organizations to raise awareness, promote public policy, and advocate for hearing health in the U.S. May is the Better Hearing and Speech Month and as part of that campaign the AAO-HNS would like to draw attention to the important issue of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL).
CANDIDATE STATEMENTS | NOMINATING COMMITTEE: PRIVATE PRACTICE | VOTE FOR TWO PER PRACTICE TYPE OF FOUR Daniel L. Wohl, MD
We are in a transformational time in medicine where the need to promote the strengths of our subspecialty through the ongoing development of educational tools while still promoting a balanced political advocacy profile has become an increasingly challenging process.
CANDIDATE STATEMENTS | NOMINATING COMMITTEE: PRIVATE PRACTICE | VOTE FOR TWO PER PRACTICE TYPE OF FOUR Brian J. McKinnon, MD, MBA
Our Academy shapes the arguments that advocate for our patients and our profession. This advocacy requires a leadership that is varied in background and experience, has an interest in listening to different perspectives, can weave together the common elements to build support for our patients and colleagues, and then can effectively persuade those in the public and private sectors to join in our Academy’s efforts for our patients and profession.
CANDIDATE STATEMENTS | NOMINATING COMMITTEE: PRIVATE PRACTICE | VOTE FOR TWO PER PRACTICE TYPE OF FOUR Catherine R. Lintzenich, MD
I am honored to be considered for the Nominating Committee, which shapes the future of the Academy of Otolaryngology Head—Neck Surgery. The nominating committee is responsible for selecting and vetting candidates for leadership positions within the AAO-HNS.
CANDIDATE STATEMENTS | NOMINATING COMMITTEE: PRIVATE PRACTICE | VOTE FOR TWO PER PRACTICE TYPE OF FOURSeilesh Babu, MD
Our leaders must exemplify in-depth knowledge and passion for issues that impact our Academy’s mission and possess empathy, accountability, and insurmountable energy. They must be able to identify and articulate salient issues that impact our daily professional lives and prepare the organization for future challenges.
CANDIDATE STATEMENTS | NOMINATING COMMITTEE: ACADEMIC | VOTE FOR TWO PER PRACTICE TYPE OF FOUR Mark E. Zafereo, Jr., MD
The Academy should continue to expect leaders with commitment to service within and beyond the specialty: diverse servant leaders of varying age, gender, ethnicity, practice setting, subspecialty, and geography who embody common qualities of both servant and leader: integrity, humility, vision, grace, and strength of character.
CANDIDATE STATEMENTS | NOMINATING COMMITTEE: ACADEMIC | VOTE FOR TWO PER PRACTICE TYPE OF FOUR Cherie-Ann O. Nathan, MD
While all our Members have the desired qualities of leadership such as integrity, courage, humility, and fairness, the major prerequisite for the incoming Academy leaders will be the ability to adapt successfully to the upheavals currently occurring in healthcare.
CANDIDATE STATEMENTS | NOMINATING COMMITTEE: ACADEMIC | VOTE FOR TWO PER PRACTICE TYPE OF FOUR Earl H. Harley, MD
Running for the nominating committee is a serious undertaking as the ongoing viability and strength of our organization rests with those we elect to lead us. Our leaders must be visionary and transformative individuals with bold ideas who are willing to push the envelope and think outside the box.
CANDIDATE STATEMENTS | NOMINATING COMMITTEE: ACADEMIC | VOTE FOR TWO PER PRACTICE TYPE OF FOUR Christine B. Franzese, MD
Continued progress forward is critical to our Academy’s success, the impetus of which comes from our leadership.
CANDIDATE STATEMENTS | AUDIT COMMITTEE | UNOPPOSED Jerome W. Thompson, MD, MBA
The experience that I bring to the Audit Committee is that I have served on the committee for a total of four years.
CANDIDATE STATEMENTS | DIRECTOR AT LARGE: PRIVATE PRACTICE | VOTE FOR ONE EACH TYPE OF TWO Pell Ann Wardrop, MD
A multi-pronged approach with further enhancement of Member services and expanded stable revenue is vital to successfully addressing the current threats to otolaryngology and increasing Member engagement.
CANDIDATE STATEMENTS | DIRECTOR AT LARGE: PRIVATE PRACTICE | VOTE FOR ONE EACH TYPE OF TWO Peter J. Abramson, MD
There is power in the grassroots organization. During my tenure as Chair of the Board of Governors, the grassroots arm of the Academy, we worked diligently with our societies developing the regional plan so that any socioeconomic and legislative challenges could be quickly identified and addressed.
CANDIDATE STATEMENTS | DIRECTOR AT LARGE: ACADEMIC | VOTE FOR ONE EACH TYPE OF TWO Sonya Malekzadeh, MD
Effective legislation demands a strong and unified voice. Although the Academy boasts a solid grassroots foundation, increasing Member support is critical to ongoing successful advocacy.
CANDIDATE STATEMENTS | DIRECTOR AT LARGE: ACADEMIC | VOTE FOR ONE EACH TYPE OF TWODenis C. Lafreniere, MD
The current era of healthcare reform with its ever changing demands on our practices makes the need for grassroots participation all the more important as we deal with reaction on both the state and national levels. If elected, I would aim to continue the work that I had the privilege to help initiate while I was the Chairman of the Board of Governors.
CANDIDATE STATEMENTS | PRESIDENT-ELECT | VOTE FOR ONE OF TWO Gavin Setzen, MD
Since immigrating to the United States from South Africa 25 years ago, I have experienced numerous life lessons in my career, through my training, education, medical practice, patients, and varied leadership experiences within the Academy, other medical organizations, and community service roles.
CANDIDATE STATEMENTS | PRESIDENT-ELECT | VOTE FOR ONE OF TWO James A. Hadley, MD
It is truly a distinct honor to be nominated as a candidate for President-Elect of our esteemed Academy. I am grateful for the previous opportunities in this profession that have offered me the opportunity to share in the advancement of education that is one of the tenets of our Academy.
Our presidential election
The Democratic and Republican National Conventions are just a couple of months away, and many of us have been riveted by the campaigns, debates, caucuses, and primary elections as the candidates declare who they are and what they can do for us and our country.
Correctly coding CPT 69209
For 2016, Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®) code 69209 Removal impacted cerumen using irrigation/lavage, unilateral was created. In order to help otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeons correctly code, the Academy helped the American Medical Association (AMA) draft a CPT Assistant article on the removal of impacted cerumen.
Restoring hearing in American Samoa Expanded from the print edition
In August 2015, I travelled to American Samoa with Richard Wagner, MD, of Global ENT Outreach (GEO). American Samoa is a group of six Polynesian islands in the South Pacific and is the United States’ southernmost territory.
Web portal puts Members’ humanitarian activity on the map
With great fanfare online as well as on Academy social media channels, the Humanitarian Efforts Committee and the Membership and IT Business Unit have launched a Humanitarian Efforts Map now ready for viewing on our website.
CPT Assistant:
drug-eluting sinus implant (CPT 0406T, 0407T)
For 2016, Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®) codes 0406T Nasal endoscopy, surgical, ethmoid sinus, placement of drug eluting implant; and 0407T with biopsy, polypectomy or debridement were created. In order to help otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeons correctly code, the Academy’s CPT team helped the American Medical Association (AMA) draft a CPT Assistant article on the placement of a drug-eluting implant into the ethmoid sinus.
Counting down to the Annual Meeting
Building on the success of last fall’s AAO-HNSF 2015 Annual Meeting & OTO EXPOSM in Dallas, TX, the 2016 Annual Meeting & OTO EXPOSM scheduled for September 18-21 in San Diego, CA, will be bigger, bolder, and feature more of the latest technology to enrich our attendees’ experience.
On the road
Whether inspired by Willie Nelson, Jack Kerouac, or Bob Hope and Bing Crosby, sometimes we are just called to go “on the road” for parts unknown. Perhaps it is the cold New England weather or just my nature, but this time of year always makes me long for faraway (and warmer) places. The international relationships of our Academy provide unique ways to explore the world of otolaryngology.
What to expect from Congress
With lawmakers having convened the second session of the 114th Congress in early January, questions remain regarding what’s in store for a potentially unpredictable 2016. While it may be too soon to determine who will win the White House, and if Republicans will retain their slim majority in the U.S. Senate, a few things are certain. Read on to learn more about what we know, what we don’t, and ways AAO-HNS Members can stay informed and get involved.
2016 federal legislative priorities for AAO-HNS
The American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) is committed to the enactment of legislation that will strengthen the delivery of, and access to, quality healthcare. To that end, the AAO-HNS urges Congress to take the following actions in 2016.
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO ACADEMY BYLAWS Academy Bylaws: Proposed amendments
The proposed amendments to the Nominating Committee are to extend the term of service from two years to three years for all elected Nominating Committee Members, and to add four more elected members (two each Academic and Private Practice) to allow for staggered terms and easier transition of new Members as each learns how to become a productive member of the committee (i.e. four roll off each year); this would increase the number of elected Members from eight to 12.
