Legacy of Excellence Digital Flipbook

LEGACY OF EXCELLENCE

Strategic planning was especially essential in dealing with the constant barrage of changes thrown at the house of medicine and practicing physicians. Each updated plan not only looked at the priorities needed for the immediate action, but they also encompassed thoughtful consideration to prepare for the changes of the future in a proactive way. “As the Academy navigates the waters of change currently flowing through society, particularly healthcare, it is mandatory that leadership and staff adopt the ‘duty of foresight’ to thrive in the conditions that will emerge over the next three to five years. This societal transformation will end up affecting our specialty, association, and stakeholders including members and patients. We need to continue to ‘strategically learn’ about transforming factors, particularly those we may be unfamiliar with. How well we do may well be the differentiating factor in success for our members,” said Dr. Denneny in the April 2016 Bulletin . Another essential element of the strategic planning process was eliciting the efforts of all areas of the Academy in the name of quality patient care. By addressing priorities across programs and services, it created a more collective and unified approach—that resulted in greater impact. “The tendency to see the Academy services functioning in silos is being replaced by a greater understanding of the need to integrate all our programs. We take very seriously our ethical responsibility to advocate on behalf of the best interest of our patients, and we unite our efforts to continually focus on

journal; society relations; and superior IT, financial, and executive support for our mission. I applaud you, thank you, and commend you and all our members who work so hard after hours to give back to the specialty and the profession. Your dedication is the key to our success,” Dr. Netterville quoted Dr. Nielsen, in the 2013 Annual Report. A monumental moment in the Academy’s history was made at the AAO-HNSF 2015 Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO in Dallas, Texas, with the passing of the Presidential gavel for the first time between two females, outgoing President Galye E. Woodson, MD, and incoming President Sujana S. Chandrasekhar, MD. Dr. Nielsen noted in the April 2013 Bulletin . “I believe we ‘accomplish more with less’ than just about any other major medical society, in large part because of the tremendous spirit of volunteerism and the culture of contributing to the profession that characterizes otolaryngology-head and neck surgery.”

David R. Nielsen, MD, and James L. Netterville, MD, consult during a 2014 Board of Directors Meeting.

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