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Why do we attend? Why do we join? Why do we serve? For most organizations, these questions are usually a pleading for involvement, justifying decisions and admonishing members for lack of support. But not for your American Rhinologic Society. Our society is filled with activity, education and interested members.
The ARS has become a premier specialty society recognized by rhinologists not only in the United States but worldwide. We are admired for educational programs, research support, international involvement, fiscal responsibility and strength. We have the respect not only from otolaryngologists, but also the major industries supporting and serving the rhinology community. We can be proud of our over 50 year heritage, and our future young leaders.
Our over 1000 members use the ARS as their source of rhinology education through semiannual meetings, the American Journal of Rhinology, and the ARS website. Its sixteen committees are hard working managing such issues as fellowship education, socioeconomics, membership, and pediatric rhinology, to highlight a few.
Our well attended semiannual meetings (spring and fall) are outstanding programs. The Fall 2006 Toronto meeting provided nearly 300 of you (20% increase over the previous year's meeting) an educational program highlighted by over 30 papers in clinical rhinology and basic science chosen from nearly 100 blindly scored outstanding abstracts. The meeting also featured M. Eugene (Gene) Tardy, MD, the 2006 Annual Kennedy lecturer. Dr. Tardy presented a uniquely entertaining educational discussion of the relationship of the nose to classical composers. Each who attended will not be able to hear or think again of classical music or composers without thinking about the nose.
Another Fall meeting highlight was an international panel coordinated by Jan Gospath, MD, Germany. He and his international colleagues amazed us with their surgical prowess demonstrating advanced endoscopic skull base techniques. While only a few may ever consider undertaking such challenges, we are all proud to see our specialty's future.
Each ARS meeting features a report from the Socioeconomic Committee chaired by Michael Setzen, MD. This committee presents information and controversies about coding and reimbursement. For those unable to attend, find this valuable information on the Members Only section of the ARS website.
The Fall meeting was also an opportunity to acknowledge and honor outstanding researchers. Awards were given to Alexander Chiu, MD, "Efficacy of topical lactoferrin and antibiotics in an animal model of sinusitis". Amber Luong, MD, "The role of non-IgE inflammatory pathway in allergic fungal rhinosinusitis", Sumana Johi, MD, "The electro-olfactogram (EOG) in the diagnosis of olfactory dysfunction", Bei Chen, MD, "Reversal of chronic rhinosinusitis associated sinonasal ciliary dysfunction"
All of us in medicine are hearing about how "pay for performance" will impact our practices. Drs. Andrew Goldberg and Rodney Schlosser were ARS representatives at Translating Research into Cross Specialty Measures (TRISCM) conference sponsored by AAO-HNS. TRISCM will develop evidence based guidelines and ultimately translate these into quality based measures. This CMS and administration initiative will tie quality performance to reimbursement. Rhinology codes will have a 15% (!) decrease in 2008. Michael Sillers, MD, Immediate Past President, represents us at the CPT/RVU meetings - a difficult yet important task.
Our Education Committee, chaired by Todd Kingdom, MD, has organized and coordinated the successful Rhinology Fellowship Match, the result of several years work. Sixteen participating programs filled 15 positions. Our future rests with these young fellows. Balloon Sinuplasty is a new tool that many rhinologists have added to their surgical armamentarium. The ARS Board has reviewed its present role and has a position statement on its website about this technology.
The Board will continue to monitor developments and modify this statement as more data becomes available. It is impossible to highlight every activity and achievement of your American Rhinologic Society. I encourage each of you to use our resources. Experience your society. Come to a board meeting. Be involved in a committee. Use the ARS website (www.American-Rhinologic.org) as your source for information. Plan to attend 2007 COSM Spring meeting in San Diego, April 26-27 (www.COSM.md) and the Fall meeting in Washington, DC, September 15. Look for details at the website and in journals. You will come away proud of your specialty!
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