Legacy of Excellence Digital Flipbook

LEGACY OF EXCELLENCE

Our forefathers in otolaryngology–head and neck surgery realized that an assembly was essential for a medical society to be strong and effective. Consequently, that first gathering in 1896 in Kansas City set a precedent for your Academy, where, for four days a year, otolaryngologists come together, learn, and make important decisions about their specialty. One hundred and six years later, the challenges to our specialty are different and more complex. Never before has it been more important for Academy members to reserve four days and attend the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Foundation Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO. Your attendance is essential to maintaining the vitality of your practice and your specialty and preserving the venue for learning and the exchange of ideas.”

– K.J. Lee, 2001-2002 President, April 2002 Bulletin

ANNUAL MEETING 2002: San Diego, California, September 22-25 2003: Orlando, Florida, September 21-24 2004: New York, New York, September 19-22 2005: Los Angeles, California, September 25-28 2006: Toronto, Canada, September 17-20 ( For the first time in 74 years, the AAO-HNSF Annual Meeting convened outside of the United States .) Andrew Blitzer, MD, DDS Coordinator for Instruction Course Program, 2002-2008 Robert H. Maisel, MD Coordinator for Instruction Course Program, 1996-2002 Stephen G. Harner, MD Coordinator for Scientific Program, 2001-2008 In the aftermath of 9/11, the Academy leadership and staff implemented steps to incorporate security measures at the 2002 Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO in San Diego, California. In coordination with San Diego city and convention officials, actions included checking attendee badges at scientific session rooms in addition to the exhibit hall, requiring AAO-HNSF

Annual Meeting badges to enter the convention center, and ensuring meeting hotels have enhanced their own security requirements. Many technological enhancements were also added to the Annual Meeting during this timeframe, which included digital scientific poster production, the elimination of 35mm slides, and online registration. In addition, the debut of a Cyber Café allowed attendees to carry the entire meeting schedule of events on their personal data assistants (PDAs), such as Palm Pilots. INTERNATIONAL

Eugene N. Myers, MD, FRCS Edin (Hon) Coordinator for International Affairs, 1997-2003 K.J. Lee, MD Coordinator for International Affairs, 2003-2009

Connecting the global otolaryngology community continued during this timeframe with enhanced participation and the launch of new initiatives. With the membership increasing in the International Corresponding Societies, now more than 34 by end of 2006, the reach of the Academy was extending further.

Globalization has impacted our specialty in a number of areas. Internet technology, international conferences, and exchange programs have contributed to loosening borders, necessitating that we take action to guide the growth of the specialty as it evolves into a universal community.” – Robert H. Maisel, MD, 2004-2005 President, 2005 Annual Report

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