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News -> July, 2001 News
Since it was originally founded in 1954, by Dr. Maurice H. Cottle, the American Rhinologic Society (ARS) has continued to assert a position of leadership in Rhinology. Your support of this society, through attendance at its semi-annual meetings and membership, will strengthen its ability to speak out on the behalf of all practicing Rhinologists.
Mission statement:
The American Rhinologic Society (ARS) maintains its tradition by promoting excellence in clinical care, investigation and education in the fields of Rhinology and Sinusology. The ARS is dedicated to providing communication and fellowship to its members through ongoing continuing medical education, economic and social programs. The ARS is the only professional organization that deals specifically with issues of sinus surgery, both conventional and endoscopic.
Why does membership make sense?
As part of its purpose, the ARS has focused intensely on the various socioeconomic problems in Rhinologic practice and explores every avenue to serve its membership as unpredictable changes in health care delivery systems continue to unfold. Most recently the ARS has helped clarify, on our behalf, the interpretation of CPTcode 61795 used for stereotaxic navigation during sinus surgery. Also, when in 1993 it became apparent that HCFA's proposed revision of CPT coding would have resulted in a approximately two-thirds cut in reimbursement to physicians, the ARS engaged the services of a prominent attorney to contest the revision. The bottom line: HCFA agreed to keep the old codes in place while reworking new ones!
Our society continues to seek out methods by which it can be proactive in the very critical socioeconomic issues confronting us during the current healthcare changes. Relationships between the ARS and the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery and the American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy continue to strengthen in the form of the Sinus and Allergy Health Partnership. Specifically, we are concurrently developing an integrated method of determining successful treatment outcomes in the management of rhinosinusitis.
The ARS has always been active in sponsoring major educational meetings in Rhinology. In this regard our society maintains its semi-annual, scientific meetings and offers three separate awards: The Resident Research Award, The Maurice H. Cottle Honor Award, and the Basic Science Award. Apart from its annual Fall and Spring meetings, this society has sponsored four major international symposia in the last 7 years. We are ardent supporters of resident education and have offered stipends and travel support to these meetings. With commercial support, our society is now able to issue significant research grants towards improving our understanding of diseases of the nose and paranasal sinuses.
In addition to the professional camaraderie, educational, research and socioeconomic benefits available, regular membership in the ARS also includes a subscription to the ARS newsletter which updates membership on the society's activities and a subscription to either the American Journal of Rhinology, the official publication of the Society, or the international journal - Rhinology. In summary, changes in health care have strengthened our society,s commitment and determination towards the betterment of our membership and the patients that we serve.
Donald R. Lanza, M.D.
First Vice President
American Rhinologic Society
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