Legacy of Excellence Digital Flipbook

LEGACY OF EXCELLENCE

2000 Bulletin column, Dr. Campbell explained, “One of the most exciting projects we are undertaking this year involves the Academy’s presence on the internet. Neil O. Ward, MD, MALS, has led the search for the most appropriate and financially responsible avenue to follow. Those of us treating patients are not surprised by the 1999 findings of Intel researchers.” These findings included physicians feeling a sense of powerlessness in control of their practices, with increased administrative requirements that ultimately were reducing their time with patients and impacting quality. In addition, physicians felt they were lacking access to the information and resources they needed in this time-constrained environment. Dr. Campbell further noted, “There are new possibilities available in technology to address these concerns and even opportunities to improve the quality of patient care. Increasing numbers of these service offerings are available on the internet. But it does require that we participate. The AAO-HNS Board of Directors believes otolaryngologists will be best served by the internet if we preserve and protect our assets instead of turning them over to someone else to manage.” This led to the creation of ENTLink, a subscription based, members-only website. “ENTLink is not a static website,” Dr. Campbell wrote. “ENTLink is interactive and will offer subscribers a brand name portal or gateway to browsing the internet. It will link otolaryngologists to the public and to the profession. It is an active communication channel to and from the AAO-HNS. Its applicability to methods beneficial to the profession will be limited only by our imagination.” Patient information and education were also substantially expanded using the Academy’s public website www.entnet.org. For instance, in promoting the February 2000 Sinus Pain Awareness Month, Dr. Campbell reminded members that “it is imperative that the public, media, employers, insurance companies, and payers all be reminded of the special skill and experience that otolaryngologists provide to sinus sufferers. Thirty seven million Americans need to hear that medical and surgical relief is available for their chronic sinus pain… AAO-HNS has produced campaign messages in many forms to help spread the news.” While President, Dr. Campbell oversaw several additional AAO-HNS/F initiatives, such as efficacy and outcomes studies, helping members learn efficient office practices through workshops and seminars,

supporting advocacy through the ENT PAC, expanding international membership, and building up financial reserves through a focused development program. Dr. Campbell recalled that each summer his father took his family to a grandparents’ farm where he “found time to reflect, to ask questions about purpose, to plan the next year’s agenda, and to ask what he was really trying to accomplish with his ministry and his life.” Equally contemplative, Dr. Campbell suggested to members in his July 2000 Bulletin column that “it is good to put forth one’s best effort, follow a course of lifelong learning, give something back to your profession, and know that your example counts. In addition, you can be a hero to a child, a mentor to a student, and a purveyor of hope to a patient.” Writing in his final Bulletin column he reflected on his past year as President: “It has been my privilege to share some thoughts and reflections over the past 12 months on this page. Before I pass the baton to Jack L. Gluckman, MD, I thank each of you for this opportunity. I have sought to focus on opening our eyes, ears, and hearts to enable us to keep the promise of our calling, to avoid walking to the tune of our selfish interest, to seek to live our lives in a disciplined way so that we can be the finest examples possible for others.” Dr. Campbell retired from private practice in 2005. He continued to serve the specialty and his community as an elder and trustee of First Presbyterian Church of Tulsa and as a member of the Board of Trustees of Westminster College. He passed away in December 2008 at the age of 68.

It is good to put forth one’s best effort, follow a course

of lifelong learning, give something back to your profession, and know that your example counts. In addition, you can be a hero to a child, a mentor to a student, and a purveyor of hope to a patient.”

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