Legacy of Excellence Digital Flipbook

Chapter 5: 2017 – 2021

offer to the international community, the international community has a lot to offer to us.” In 2019 even further enhancements were made to include the introduction of late-breaking scientific oral abstract presentations to the education program and the debut of the Young Physicians Pavilion, providing opportunities for residents and young physicians to receive mentorships from though-leaders. In 2020, the AAO-HNSF experienced a groundbreaking moment when the Annual Meeting & OTO Experience was hosted 100% in a virtual environment. The decision came when Boston, Massachusetts, officials notified the AAO-HNSF that the Annual Meeting could not be held as planned due to the COVID-19 pandemic. That news sprung the Annual Meeting Program Committee into action in June 2020. Led by Dr. Wax and Daniel C. Chelius, Jr., MD, Coordinator-Elect, and in collaboration with leadership and staff, the Academy quickly took the reins of the AAO-HNSF 2020 Annual Meeting & OTO Experience to transition it to one of a virtual experience for attendees from around the globe. “I’m very excited that the Academy has rallied at this time to explore what is really a new dimension in an academic enterprise. It’s going to make us stronger, and it’s moving us forward into the next dimension of education,” said Dr. Wax. This first-ever AAO-HNSF Virtual Annual Meeting & OTO Experience started on September 12 and spanned six-weeks with focused specialty-week programming, ending on October 25. During the Opening Ceremony, Dr. Denneny remarked to the virtual audience, “We have witnessed and continue to experience unparalleled collaboration and cooperation across all specialty societies in otolaryngology and across all regions in the world, as we shared experiences, vital information, and solutions freely and rapidly.” There were 5,095 individuals in total who registered with 3,149 coming through the bundled FLEX subscription offer and 1,946 solely Annual Meeting registrants. The program included over 200 on-demand education sessions for immediate access on September 13 and over 70 live education sessions, which were also available on-demand post live presentation. In the weeks leading up to the event, Dr. Chelius shared his perspective on the value of the Annual Meeting, whether virtual or live, “The number one thing

2018: President’s Reception at the AAO-HNSF 2018 Annual Meeting & OTO Experience in Atlanta, Georgia, at the Georgia Aquarium. And 2019: President’s Reception at the AAO-HNSF 2019 Annual Meeting & OTO Experience in New Orleans, Louisiana, at Mardi Gras World.

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