Legacy of Excellence Digital Flipbook

LEGACY OF EXCELLENCE: GAVIN SETZEN, MD PRESIDENT FROM 2017 – 2018

G avin Setzen, MD, was born and raised in South Africa to a family with a deep interest in medicine. His father aspired to become a physician, but circumstances prevented him from realizing his dream. His two older brothers also developed an early interest in and passion for medicine and all three brothers eventually went on to become doctors. “I grew up in a medically oriented family and that certainly had an influence on my direction by virtue of those exposures. My older brother, Michael, is an otolaryngologist and has been involved in Academy life and gave me a preview of what otolaryngology was all about.” Dr. Setzen explained. “My middle brother is a gynecological oncologist. “I was in middle school and recall visiting Michael during his otolaryngology residency in St. Louis. I always knew that I was surgically inclined, and otolaryngology seemed to offer the most interesting and diverse path. I was drawn to the fact that half [of the practice] is medicine and half of it is surgery; you can treat infants through octogenarians in the same clinic, and just the tremendous diversity of the anatomy and pathology [was appealing].” Dr. Setzen completed medical school in Johannesburg, South Africa, and spent a year trying to obtain a green card so he could practice medicine abroad. At the time, his country was still under apartheid rule and many of his letters of application for residency went unanswered, or if he did receive an answer, he was often denied due to the political climate. Dr. Setzen made it to North America, landing in Moosomin, Saskatchewan, Canada, approximately 60 miles north of North Dakota. “I worked in a family practice for several months while I waited my green

card,” he said. “I then transitioned to North Shore Hospital and New York Hospital in New York City as a general surgery resident. For me, it was all a meaningful process that made the end result much more significant.” Considering how he became involved in the AAO HNS, he described having an interest in more than just the clinical side of medicine—including administrative, legislative, and organizational activities. “For me, having a diversified exposure and approach to healthcare makes the pursuit more meaningful, as opposed to focusing on only one particular aspect of the job. While I love clinical patient care and surgery, the Academy and other activities provide important balance for me.”

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