Special 125th Anniversary Issue – Bulletin

The AAO-HNS Community Responds to COVID-19 with Specialty Unity

Members of the Specialty Unity Societies (SUS) American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery American Broncho-Esophagological Association American Head and Neck Society American Laryngological Association American Neurotology Society American Otological Society American Rhinologic Society American Society of Geriatric Otolaryngology American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology ASCENT | Administrator Support Community for ENT Association of Academic Departments of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery Otolaryngology Program Directors Organization Society of University Otolaryngologists Triological Society conversation ranged broadly from training to workforce and how we might all collaborate on meetings, there was one decisive refrain that was heard around the table: ‘I am an otolaryngologist.’ No matter what subspecialty we represent or focus on, each of us is an otolaryngologist first. We are all tied together.” Since it was founded, the SUS traditionally met during the AAO-HNS/F Leadership Forum & BOG Spring Meeting and the AAO-HNSF Annual Meeting & OTO Experience. Prior to

Meeting of the Specialty Unity Summit (SUS) during the AAO-HNS/F 2018 Leadership Forum & BOG Spring Meeting on March 10, 2018, in Alexandria, VA.

A s 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. In 2020 the world was struck with the COVID-19 pandemic, impacting practices and patient care. Its arrival quickly revealed that it would have a significant impact on society in all facets and, specifically for the AAO-HNS/F, on otolaryngologists and their patients. As future generations look to lessons learned from the Academy’s leadership during COVID-19, what will be most notable is the ease with which the otolaryngology community jumped into action and came together to collaborate and coordinate—peer-to-peer. More than ever, We Are One demonstrated to be more than just a phrase—it became a notable representation of the years of investment in specialty unity so that when crisis occurred, ease of action was the result. As specialization within otolaryngology became more commonplace and specialty societies flourished, the need for unity within otolaryngology, a small specialty in of itself, was clearly needed. The first formal attempt to do that emanated from a specialty society summit meeting called by then President, James C. Denneny III, MD. The Specialty Society Advisory Council (SSAC) was formed

and represented by two voting members on the Board of Directors. J. Regan Thomas, MD, shared the value of specialty unity in his January 2011 Bulletin President’s column titled A Key Component of Success: Specialty Unity. “After a specialty summit meeting three years ago, the AAO-HNS convened the various otolaryngology groups to form the Specialty Society Advisory Council (SSAC), to enhance intraspecialty cooperation and collaboration. Realizing that many of the topics that affect one society affect us all, the SSAC serves as a conduit for information to and from the member groups, and as an advisory body on such issues to our AAO-HNS/F Boards of Directors.” Although the SSAC existed, it was largely ineffectual due to communication problems with specialty leadership. After several successful Specialty Unity Summit (SUS) meetings that involved the current leadership of each specialty society, the SSAC was sunsetted in 2017 in favor of the SUS. This immediately improved the interest in specialty communications and collaboration on a number of issues. That collaboration has extended far beyond the yearly meetings and has resulted in regular conferences on critical issues affecting the breadth of the specialty. After attending the SUS during the AAO HNS/F 2019 Leadership Forum & BOG Spring Meeting, Albert L. Merati, MD, wrote in his June 2019 Bulletin President’s column titled I Am an Otolaryngologist, “While the

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SPECIAL EDITION: 125TH ANNIVERSARY AAO-HNS BULLETIN ENTNET.ORG/BULLETIN