Legacy of Excellence Digital Flipbook

Chapter 3: 2007 – 2011

Attendees of the Surgical Coalition meeting held during the 2010 Joint Surgical Advocacy Conference (JSAC)

Washington Advocacy Conference (WAC) and offered the opportunity for surgeons from multiple specialties to join together to voice common issues to Congress. The AAO-HNS served as a co-host of this meeting with the American College of Surgeons (ACS) and played a critical role in the planning and execution of the inaugural event. Attendees heard from Congressional and political scholars, as well as several high-ranking legislators, about the importance of advocacy. After being briefed on the priority issues impacting surgeons, JSAC participants converged on Capitol Hill as a powerful, unified voice to discuss such issues as Medicare physician payment, scope of practice, and research funding. In the February 2009 Bulletin, Dr. Kennedy encouraged members to attend the second annual event by saying, “From patient education to preventive medicine, outcomes, and improved care of chronic disorders, every role needs to be appropriately implemented. It is up to David R. Nielsen, MD, AAO-HNS/F EVP, Ronald B. Kuppersmith, MD, AAO-HNS/F President, and Gavin Setzen, MD, AAO-HNS Board of Governors Chair, attend the Surgical Coalition meeting held during the 2010 Joint Surgical Advocacy Conference (JSAC).

Surgical Coalition Starting in 2010, under the leadership of Dr. Kuppersmith, the AAO-HNS actively participated in the Surgical Coalition, a group of approximately 20 organizations representing over 240,000 surgeons and anesthesiologists. The Coalition emerged as a collective voice for America’s surgeons. It highlighted surgery’s priorities for healthcare reform, impacted the legislative process, launched a grassroots campaign, and jointly advocated for members. The Academy’s ongoing collaboration in the Coalition strengthened lobbying efforts and created a new voice on Capitol Hill. In addition, Coalition involvement enabled the Academy to do more with less. “It is more important than ever for the AAO-HNS and others within the surgical community to strengthen joint advocacy efforts and ensure that our collective voice is heard. In today’s political environment, it benefits us to come together and agree on shared principles and issues. All groups can benefit from combining resources by increasing political strength and maximizing the potential for legislative success. As healthcare reform legislation evolved, the Surgical Coalition emerged as a new “voice” in the debate. The Coalition’s ability to unite behind shared principles and coordinate our efforts helped to amplify our message regarding healthcare reform,” explained Dr. Kuppersmith in the June 2010 Bulletin . Joint Surgical Advocacy Conference In March 2008, nearly 350 attendees representing 16 organizations attended the first annual Joint Surgical Advocacy Conference (JSAC) in Washington, DC. This new event was held in place of the traditional

us to work together to improve healthcare in this country, to learn about proposed changes, ensure that our voice is heard, and thereby best serve otolaryngology, our patients, and our local communities.” The Academy continued to be involved in the planning and execution of the 2009, 2010, and 2011 JSAC, often with otolaryngology having one of the largest representations of all specialties. Proposed

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