Legacy of Excellence Digital Flipbook

LEGACY OF EXCELLENCE

space modifications, protections for our staff, patients, and providers, and continuous cleaning and disinfecting of our office spaces, not to mention the personal health risks presented to ourselves and our staffs.” The reality of the COVID-19 pandemic forced some practices to close, and others had to partner with larger systems to remain financially viable. Most practices that remained solvent had to reduce or temporarily close office hours, rapidly incorporate telehealth options, and lay off and furlough loyal staff. Unplanned early retirements also ensued. The other side of that reality resulted in accelerated change and adjustment to patient care having long lasting positive impact. “The challenges of COVID-19 have forced us all to modify our workflows and our approaches and foster creative changes and improvements that have strengthened our practices. These adaptations can result in an improved future practice environment that will benefit all providers and shepherd the advancement and success of otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeons around the globe,” said Dr. Yanagisawa and Dr. Denneny. As the history of the AAO-HNS/F continues to be written beyond its 125th anniversary, there is no doubt that the response to the COVID-19 pandemic by the Academy and the global otolaryngology community will be highlighted further in our future history books—with the AAO-HNS/F specifically focused on supporting otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeons and their patients around the world during this unprecedented time. Throughout it all, it has been the exemplary and extraordinary actions of the healthcare community’s response to this pandemic that truly defined 2020 and 2021. In the spotlight of hope, the world united around the recognition of frontline healthcare workers as heroes for the unbelievable sacrifice made and the unwavering commitment to patient care in a rapidly changing and often unpredictable scenario. AAO-HNS/F Response In the 2020 Annual Report, Dr. Taylor and Dr. Denneny provided an overview of the Academy’s The Global Otolaryngology Community Responds to the COVID-19 Pandemic

COVID-19 response—a response, in the name of public health, that included resources and materials for members and nonmembers alike, domestic and international. They noted, “The collaborative network of the global otolaryngology community as well as the house of medicine has demonstrated extraordinary initiative and leadership in addressing the paramount COVID-19 challenges. It is our belief that this peer to-peer connection that transcends from organization to organization, practice to practice, and physician to physician, is the value that propels the healthcare community through crises such as this.” In addition to the traditional programs and services provided to the members, 2020 also thrust the Academy into action. Leadership from the Boards of Directors and committees rose to the challenge with expeditious responses, providing the international otolaryngology community access to timely information, resources, and guidance to deal with COVID-19 issues related to patient care and practice management. Many committees heeded the call of duty with the lion’s share of work falling on the following committees: Infectious Disease, Outcomes Research and Evidence-Based Medicine, Patient Safety and Quality Improvement, and Telemedicine. The Future of Otolaryngology Task Force working with specialty societies produced the “Return Throughout it all, it has been the exemplary and extraordinary ac tions of the healthcare commu nity’s response to this pandemic that truly defined 2020 and 2021. In the spotlight of hope, the world has united around the recognition of frontline healthcare workers as heroes for the unbelievable sacrifice made and the unwavering com mitment to patient care in a rapidly changing and often unpredictable scenario.

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