Legacy of Excellence Digital Flipbook

LEGACY OF EXCELLENCE

Truly amazing how our field continues to expand in the most fascinating directions, fueled, of course, by the influx of the brightest young minds in medicine who are irresistibly attracted to our field. This evolution did not occur by serendipity, but rather is the result of the vision, dedication, and incredibly hard work of our leaders and practitioners of barely a generation ago. It is on the shoulders of these giants that we have been able to achieve so much today,” said Dr. Gluckman in the January 2001 Bulletin . This truth was repeatedly interwoven in the Academy’s history. The advancement of the specialty and the Academy was and is in direct correlation to the unwavering commitment of countless volunteer members contributing time, resources, knowledge, and expertise—all after hours of patient care and the administrative burdens of practice. “The strength of our organization lies in the rank-and-file members, and I have been consistently impressed with our colleagues. Leadership, both elected and appointed, have provided the necessary guidance, decision making, and a steady hand on the tiller of the ship of otolaryngology,” said Dr. Maves in the September 1999 Bulletin .

CONCLUDING THOUGHTS This timeframe created opportunities for which the Academy was able to capitalize, and the end result created a future path for the Academy that could more strongly support members with value in products and services as well as establish recognition as the trusted source in patient information. By adopting technology and innovation in all program and service areas, filling the gaps of knowledge to help create a more fully informed patient base, growing the value and voice of advocacy and health policy, embracing the global otolaryngology community, and investing in the future of evidence-based outcomes, the AAO-HNS/F built upon its existing strong foundation for which to continue its relevancy. Expanding the reach of this relevancy further solidified the strength of the Academy in its endeavors to serve not only members but public health in general. “In a comparatively short period, we have evolved from ‘nose pickers’ to endoscopic sinus and rhinoplastic surgeons; from mastoidectomists to skull base surgeons; from endoscopists to head and neck surgeons; from tonsillectomists to molecular scientists!

The strength of our organization lies in the rank-and-file members, and I have been consistently impressed with our colleagues. Leadership, both elected and appointed, have provided the necessary guidance, decision-making, and a steady hand on the tiller of the ship of otolaryngology.”

– Michael D. Maves , MD, MBA, EVP

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