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From Clinic to Capitol Hill: Essential Advocacy for ENT Physicians and Residents

Voices of Otolaryngology

Release Date: 07/08/2025

The AAO-HNSF Journal: Breaking New Ground with Dr. Schmalbach show art 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,...

info_outline Inside the RUC: Why 30 Survey Responses Aren't Enough show art 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....

info_outline Precision Head and Neck Surgery: 3D Models and Real-time Imaging show art 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...

info_outline Hat Trick: Global Outreach, Research, and Clinical Care show art 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...

info_outline The Setzens: Family, Service, and Private Practice Success show art 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....

info_outline Environmental Health and Otolaryngology show art 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...

info_outline Research Is Incremental: Lessons from BEST ENT to Reg-ent show art 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...

info_outline The Evolution of Sleep Surgery: From Tracheotomy to Precision Medicine show art 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...

info_outline From Frustration to Influence: How The ENT PAC Amplifies Your Voice show art 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...

info_outline Thriving as a Subspecialist in Private Practice show art 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...

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More Episodes

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 otolaryngologists can effectively bridge clinical expertise with legislative decision-making to ensure policies truly serve patients and physicians alike.

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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.