From Clinic to Capitol Hill: Essential Advocacy for ENT Physicians and Residents
Release Date: 07/08/2025
Building Global Bridges in Otolaryngology with Maria V. Suurna, MD
Voices of Otolaryngology
Join host Rahul K. Shah, MD, MBA, AAO-HNS/F Executive Vice President and CEO, as he chats with Maria V. Suurna, MD, AAO-HNSF Coordinator for International Affairs, about her journey from Estonia to leading global ENT initiatives. From quarterly Global Grand Rounds to joint meetings spanning continents, Dr. Suurna reveals how the Academy is strengthening international partnerships and expanding access to otolaryngology education worldwide. Resources: Global Grand Rounds: AAO-HNSF Volunteer Faculty Application Form: More Ways to Listen: Spotify: Apple...
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Sustainable ENT: Practical Strategies for the Practicing Otolaryngologist
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 Amanda Dilger, MD, and Neelima Tummala, MD, about practical sustainability strategies that otolaryngologists can implement to reduce environmental impact while maintaining excellent patient care and achieving significant cost savings. Resources: Reducing Glove Overuse in Outpatient Specialty Clinics: Cost Reduction and Environmental Benefit: More Ways to Listen: Spotify: Apple Podcasts: Connect the AAO-HNS: ...
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From Clinic to Capitol Hill: Essential Advocacy for ENT Physicians and Residents
Voices of Otolaryngology
Join Kayla Hicks, MD, and Harry DeCabo, AAO-HNS Director for Advocacy, for an essential discussion on advocacy in otolaryngology, exploring why physician and resident engagement in healthcare policy has never been more critical. This episode breaks down the key legislative priorities affecting otolaryngologists and their patients, with a special emphasis on why residents must be active participants in shaping their professional future. Whether you're a resident feeling unsure about advocacy or an established physician wanting to make a difference, this episode demonstrates how...
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Workforce Reality Check: What Every ENT Needs to Know About Our Specialty’s Future with Andrew J. Tompkins, MD, MBA
Voices of Otolaryngology
In this episode of Voices of Otolaryngology, Rahul K. Shah, MD, MBA, AAO-HNS/F EVP/CEO, talks with AJ "Workforce" Tompkins, MD, MBA, AAO-HNS/F Board member from Ohio ENT & Allergy about critical insights from the latest otolaryngology workforce survey. They discuss the dramatic rise in Advanced Practice Provider utilization, growing urban concentration of specialists, and compensation realities across different practice settings. Dr. Tompkins shares how workforce data helps with benchmarking, salary negotiations, and strategic decision-making, while highlighting the disconnect between...
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Building a Hearing Healthcare Team with Jeffrey S. Weingarten, MD
Voices of Otolaryngology
In this episode of Voices of Otolaryngology, Jeffrey S. Weingarten, MD, shares insights on creating a thriving otolaryngology practice that serves as a true "one-stop shop" for ENT care. Learn how his Detroit-area practice successfully integrates 11 physicians, 17 audiologists, and specially trained staff across six locations. Dr. Weingarten discusses the innovative Certificate Program for Otolaryngology Personnel (CPOP), which trains "OTO Techs" to perform hearing tests, maximizing efficiency while allowing audiologists to work at the top of their license. Discover the benefits of...
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The Surgeon-Scientist Model and the Future of Precision Cancer Care with Maie St. John, MD, PhD
Voices of Otolaryngology
In this episode of Voices of Otolaryngology, Maie St. John, MD, PhD, the Thomas A. Calcaterra, MD Endowed Chair at UCLA's Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, shares her extraordinary journey from a pivotal childhood moment in Egypt to becoming a world-renowned surgeon-scientist. Learn how she developed innovative intraoperative cancer detection systems and polymer delivery technologies that are transforming precision surgery. Discover her strategies for successful grant writing, building multidisciplinary cancer care teams, and leading UCLA's otolaryngology department to its...
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Building a Sustainable Practice: Succession Planning and Value-Based Care with Willard C. Harrill, MD, and David E. Melon, MD
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 Willard C. Harrill, MD, and David E. Melon, MD, in a conversation exploring succession planning and private practice evolution in otolaryngology. They share insights on leadership transition, building sustainable practice models, and navigating the shift to value-based care. The discussion covers recruitment strategies, practice diversification, and the unique challenges facing medium-sized ENT groups. They offer valuable guidance on dynamic scheduling, community...
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Beyond the Lecture Hall: Revolutionizing Medical Education Through Innovation with Vince Loffredo, EdD
Voices of Otolaryngology
In this episode of Voices of Otolaryngology, Rahul K. Shah, MD, MBA, AAO-HNS/F EVP/CEO, talks with Vince Loffredo, EdD, Chief Learning Officer at the American Society for Anesthesiology, about the future of medical education, providing advice to lecturers on how to engage audiences. They discuss how technology has accelerated changes in medical learning, moving from traditional lectures toward micro-learning, interactive formats, and personalized education. Dr. Loffredo shares insights on engaging learners through gamification, virtual reality, social media platforms, and continuous...
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Hearing Every Child: Rural Healthcare Innovation with Matthew Bush, MD, PhD
Voices of Otolaryngology
In this episode of Voices of Otolaryngology, Matthew Bush, MD, PhD, MBA, AAO-HNSF Coordinator-Elect, Research and Quality, joins Rahul K. Shah, MD, MBA, AAO-HNS/F Executive Vice President and CEO, as they explore how interventions are impacting healthcare delivery for vulnerable populations. Dr. Bush shares insights on innovative approaches to hearing healthcare in rural communities from his groundbreaking patient navigation model that dramatically improved follow-up care rates for pediatric hearing patients. Helpful Resources: Reg-ent: AAO-HNSF Clinical Practice...
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Pathways to Excellence with Dana M. Thompson, MD, MS, MBA
Voices of Otolaryngology
In this episode of Voices of Otolaryngology, join Rahul K. Shah, MD, MBA, AAO-HNS/F Executive Vice President and CEO as he interviews Dana M. Thompson, MD, MS, MBA, AAO-HNS 2024 Hall of Distinction inductee and Division Head of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and the Lauren D. Holinger Professor and Chair of Pediatric Otolaryngology at the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago and Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, about transforming "pipelines" into "pathways" for diversity in medicine. Discover her five guiding values and learn how...
info_outlineJoin Kayla Hicks, MD, and Harry DeCabo, AAO-HNS Director for Advocacy, for an essential discussion on advocacy in otolaryngology, exploring why physician and resident engagement in healthcare policy has never been more critical. This episode breaks down the key legislative priorities affecting otolaryngologists and their patients, with a special emphasis on why residents must be active participants in shaping their professional future. Whether you're a resident feeling unsure about advocacy or an established physician wanting to make a difference, this episode demonstrates how otolaryngologists can effectively bridge clinical expertise with legislative decision-making to ensure policies truly serve patients and physicians alike.
Resources:
- ENT Advocacy Network: https://www.entnet.org/the-ent-advocacy-network/
- Project 535: https://www.entnet.org/project535
- State Tracker Program: https://www.entnet.org/state-trackers
- ENT PAC: https://www.entpac.org
More Ways to Listen:
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3UeVLtFdLHDnWnULUPoiin
- Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/voice-of-otolaryngology/id1506655333
Connect the AAO-HNS:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aaohns
- X (Twitter): https://x.com/AAOHNS
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AAOHNS
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/american-academy-of-otolaryngology/
- Website: https://www.entnet.org
Shop AAO-HNS Merchandise: https://www.otostore.org
Help Us Improve Future Episodes: Share your feedback and topic suggestions at https://forms.office.com/r/0XpA83XNBQ
Subscribe to Voices of Otolaryngology for more insights from leading voices in ENT. New episodes released every Tuesday.
Note: Contributions to ENT PAC are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes. Contributions are voluntary, and all members of the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery have the right to refuse to contribution without reprisal. Federal law prohibits ENT PAC from accepting contributions from foreign nationals. By law, if your contributions are made using a personal check or credit card, ENT PAC may use your contribution only to support candidates in federal elections. All corporate contributions to ENT PAC will be used for educational and administrative fees of ENT PAC, and other activities permissible under federal law. Federal law requires ENT PAC use its best efforts to collect and report the name, mailing address, occupation, and the name of the employer of individuals whose contributions exceed $200 in a calendar year. ENT PAC is a program of the AAO-HNS which is exempt from federal income tax under section 501 (c) (6) of the Internal Revenue Code.