Legacy of Excellence Digital Flipbook

Chapter 5: 2017 – 2021

FUTURE OF OTOLARYNGOLOGY AND WELLNESS In 2017, under the leadership of Dr. Randolph, the AAO-HNS created two new task forces, The Future of Otolaryngology Task Force, led by Dr. Setzen, and the Wellness Task Force, led by Dr. Taylor. Deliverables included “to acknowledge and recognize problems with data tracking and specialty outcome measures;

education resources such as articles published in Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery and OTO Open , webinars available on AcademyU/OTO Logic, and podcasts ranging from clinical topics to practice management. Also in 2019, a volunteer faculty database was developed that included U.S.-based members who were willing to provide support to scientific programs, panels, and presentations given at Joint Meetings around the globe. Following up on that, in 2020, an International Observership database was developed that included U.S.-based otolaryngology-head and neck surgery observership programs and opportunities. Offering further resources in the publishing arena of medicine, the Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Resident Reviewer Development Program, led by Deputy Editor Jennifer J. Shin, MD, SM, and in concert with members of the International Editorial Board, developed a curriculum in 2021 that focused on providing access to the tools, knowledge, and information to the global otolaryngology community regarding publishing with such topics as, “Introduction and Approach to Peer Review for Clinicians,” “International Perspective on Publishing and Avoiding Predatory Journals,” “Interactive Peer Review Workshop,” and “Key Concepts in Statistics.” “Our accomplishments are not ours alone; they are to be shared and celebrated by all who have laid the groundwork, past and present, and all who continue to give freely of their time in weaving the world of otolaryngology as we work together to achieve our goal of being recognized as a global collaborator in advancing the specialty,” said J. Pablo Stolovitzky, MD, in the October 2020 Bulletin . These efforts and more have demonstrated the AAO HNS/F manifested its strong commitment to global otolaryngology. International involvement enriched the value of the programs, services, and experiences provided through Academy engagement no matter where one calls home, and it was that first inaugural meeting of the IAB in 2017 that set in motion an unstoppable momentum that has achieved so much in a few short years.

to effectively communicate among stakeholders without negatively affecting physicians or patients; to mitigate causative factors, positively alter trigger factors, and to create and share wellness tools,” shared Dr. Randolph in the June 2017 Bulletin . The work of these Task Forces was reengaged in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Future of Otolaryngology Task Force led the comprehensive development, in collaboration with the specialty

2021: Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery achieved the highest impact factor in its history in 2021: 3.497 gave OTO Journal a ranking of 5 out of 44 in the “Otorhinolaryngology” category.

societies, of both parts of The Guidance to Return to Practice for Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, published in May 2020. Members of the Wellness Task Force contributed articles to the Bulletin throughout 2020 that inspired wellness techniques in the midst of the worldwide pandemic. Dr. Setzen as Chair of the Future of Otolaryngology Task Force contributed an article to the 125th Special issue of the Bulletin . “The Next 125 Years in Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery,” has been reproduced in Legacy of Excellence and features the viewpoint of Angela M. Powell, MD, and Carla V. Valenzuela, MD, MSCI. It can also be found on page 239 . As an offshoot of the Future of Otolaryngology Task Force, the 2021 Strategic Plan incorporated a new component, the Business of Medicine program. The purpose of this program was to raise awareness of the many resources that the Academy offered, to share instructive member experiences, to advocate for improvements and stability related to reimbursement issues, and to lessen administrative burdens. In a new series for the Bulletin in 2021 titled “Models of Otolaryngology,” Ken Yanagisawa, MD, 2021 President-Elect, covered myriad issues impacting the practice of otolaryngology–head and

Please see the special section on the COVID-19 pandemic to learn more about the international efforts during that unprecedented time for practice and patient care.

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