Identifying Immunodeficiencies in Otolaryngology Practice
Release Date: 05/13/2025
The AAO-HNSF Journal: Breaking New Ground with Dr. Schmalbach
Voices of Otolaryngology
In this special Voices of Otolaryngology episode, recorded live in Indianapolis at the AAO-HNSF 2025 Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO, host Rahul K. Shah, MD, MBA, AAO-HNS/F EVP and CEO, sits down with Cecelia E. Schmalbach, MD, MSc, Editor in Chief of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery and OTO Open. Together, they explore the evolving landscape of academic publishing, from peer review innovation and global collaboration to the integration of artificial intelligence in research and publishing. Dr. Schmalbach shares insights into bringing the journals' editorial operations back in-house,...
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Inside the RUC: Why 30 Survey Responses Aren't Enough
Voices of Otolaryngology
In this engaging floor-recorded conversation from the AAO-HNSF 2025 Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO, host Rahul K. Shah, MD, MBA, AAO-HNS/F EVP and CEO, sits down with R. Peter Manes, MD, associate professor of surgery (otolaryngology) at Yale School of Medicine as well as AAO-HNS/F Board member and Chair of the Academy’s Physician Payment Policy (3P) Workgroup. Together they demystify the alphabet soup of CPT, RUC, and RVUs, explaining how every otolaryngologist—academic or private—can influence reimbursement simply by completing the necessary surveys. Dr....
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Precision Head and Neck Surgery: 3D Models and Real-time Imaging
Voices of Otolaryngology
In this episode of Voices of Otolaryngology, host Rahul K. Shah, MD, MBA, AAO-HNS/F EVP and CEO, talks with Michael C. Topf, MD, MSCI, a head and neck surgical oncologist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Dr. Topf shares his groundbreaking work in precision head and neck surgery, including 3D scanning of resected cancer specimens to improve communication among multidisciplinary cancer care teams. The conversation explores his innovative research on specimen-based margin assessment, the development of custom software for annotating 3D models, and his team's pioneering work with...
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Hat Trick: Global Outreach, Research, and Clinical Care
Voices of Otolaryngology
In this on-site conversation from the AAO-HNSF 2025 Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO in Indianapolis, host Rahul K. Shah, MD, MBA, AAO-HNS/F EVP and CEO, sits down with Gregory J. Basura, MD, PhD, Chair of the AAO-HNSF Humanitarian Efforts Committee. They explore the intersection of neuroscience, clinical innovation, and global humanitarian outreach—from Dr. Basura’s NIH-funded research in tinnitus neuroimaging to his transformative fellowship and capacity-building work across Africa and beyond. Listeners will hear how early mentorship inspired his lifelong commitment to global...
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The Setzens: Family, Service, and Private Practice Success
Voices of Otolaryngology
In this episode of Voices of Otolaryngology, host Rahul K. Shah, MD, MBA, AAO-HNS/F EVP and CEO, sits down with brothers Michael Setzen, MD, and Gavin Setzen, MD, two private practice otolaryngologists who have shaped the specialty through decades of leadership and advocacy. Both Hall of Distinction Living Legends, the Setzen brothers share their journey from South Africa to building world-renowned practices in New York. Dr. Michael Setzen reveals an unconventional approach to work-life balance: never working Fridays and dedicating that time to golf, family, and Academy service. Dr....
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Environmental Health and Otolaryngology
Voices of Otolaryngology
In this episode of Voices of Otolaryngology, host Rahul K. Shah, MD, MBA, AAO-HNS/F EVP and CEO, continues the conversation with Amanda Dilger, MD, and Neelima Tummala, MD, from the AAO-HNS Sustainability Task Force. Moving beyond general sustainability practices, this episode focuses on how climate change is directly affecting ENT patients—from air pollution's link to head and neck cancer, to extended pollen seasons causing more severe allergic rhinitis and wildfire smoke impacting chronic rhinosinusitis. The physicians discuss practical ways to integrate environmental health screening into...
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Research Is Incremental: Lessons from BEST ENT to Reg-ent
Voices of Otolaryngology
In this episode of Voices of Otolaryngology, Rahul K. Shah, MD, MBA, AAO-HNS/F Executive Vice President and CEO, talks with David Witsell, MD, about the evolution of practice-based research in otolaryngology. Dr. Witsell shares the origins of BEST ENT and the CHEER network, honoring the visionary leadership of Maureen Hannley, MD, which laid the foundation for today's Reg-ent platform. The conversation explores why collaboration and standardized data are critical to advancing research and quality and presents a compelling vision for future partnerships between Reg-ent and the National...
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The Evolution of Sleep Surgery: From Tracheotomy to Precision Medicine
Voices of Otolaryngology
Join host Rahul K. Shah, MD, MBA, AAO-HNS EVP and CEO, for a historic conversation with two pioneers of surgical sleep medicine, Kathleen Yaremchuk, MD, MSA and B. Tucker Woodson, MD. Both were at Henry Ford Health in the early 1980s—the epicenter of American surgical sleep medicine—where they witnessed the birth of modern sleep apnea treatment. In this episode, discover how sleep apnea went from an unrecognized condition treated only with tracheotomy to a field with multiple treatment modalities. Dr. Yaremchuk and Dr. Woodson share firsthand accounts of working with Dr. Shiro...
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From Frustration to Influence: How The ENT PAC Amplifies Your Voice
Voices of Otolaryngology
In this episode of Voices of Otolaryngology, host Rahul K. Shah, MD, MBA, AAO-HNS EVP and CEO, talks with Matthew D. Scarlett, MD, a private practice otolaryngologist in Charleston, South Carolina, and current Chair of the Academy’s ENT Political Action Committee (PAC) Board. Dr. Scarlett breaks down how ENT PAC amplifies the voices of otolaryngologists on Capitol Hill, from securing meetings with lawmakers to advancing bills on prior authorization reform, Medicare reimbursement, and newborn CMV screening. Dr. Scarlett shares his personal journey into advocacy—sparked by frustration with...
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Thriving as a Subspecialist in Private Practice
Voices of Otolaryngology
In this episode of Voices of Otolaryngology, host Rahul K. Shah, MD, MBA, AAO-HNS/F EVP and CEO, sits down with Douglas D. Reh, MD, a fellowship-trained rhinologist and former academic leader at Johns Hopkins, who now practices as part of ENT Specialty Partners. Dr. Reh reflects on his journey from academia to private practice, exploring how subspecialists can succeed outside academic institutions while still meeting the broad needs of their communities. The conversation covers Dr. Reh’s experience building a thriving rhinology-focused practice, the challenges and strategies for balancing...
info_outlineIn this special episode of Voices of Otolaryngology, developed on behalf of the AAO-HNS Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Committee, Matthew W. Ryan, MD, talks with Antoine Azar, MD, about how otolaryngologists often see immunodeficiency patients first through recurring infections. Learn about screening techniques, key warning signs, and treatment approaches for conditions affecting up to 23% of chronic sinusitis patients. Discover why collaboration between otolaryngology and immunology specialists is crucial for optimal patient outcomes.