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Michael J. Sillers, M.D., F.A.C.S.
President, American Rhinologic Society
I hope everyone has enjoyed their summer and is looking forward to our fall program in Toronto. Many of you attended COSM in Chicago and were pleased with the quality of the free paper presentations and panel discussions. Howard Levine and the Program Committee did an outstanding job of organizing this effort. I would like to recognize and congratulate the CORE research award winners announced at COSM:
ARS New Investigator Award-$ 25 K
Alexander Chiu, M.D., University of Pennsylvania
Efficacy of Topical Lactoferrin and Antibiotics in an Animal Model of Sinusitis
Resident Research Grant Award-$ 8 K
Amber Luong, M.D., University of Texas Southwestern
The Role of Non-IgE Inflammatory Pathway in Allergic Fungal Rhinosinusitis
Sumana Jothi, M.D., UCSC
The Electro-olfactogram in the Diagnosis of Olfactory Dysfunction
The fall meeting plans to be another excellent CME event with Eugene Tardy presenting the second annual David Kennedy lecture. Merck will support a breakfast symposium on the comprehensive management of the patient with nasal polyposis and the program will also include numerous high quality free papers and informative panels. The Corporate Affiliates Committee of the ARS has worked very hard along with our faithful supporters over the years to enable the society to host these events for attendees.
For those of you who practice rhinology and are not members of the American Rhinologic Society, I would like to encourage you to join the ARS for several reasons. First and foremost is our dedication to patient care. By attending our biannual meetings and reading the American Journal of Rhinology you will be presented with the most current understanding of the pathophysiology and treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis and other nasal and sinus disorders. This is paramount as our specialty will be asked to define outcomes and quality care measures as we are faced with pay-for-performance mandates. The ARS is actively involved in this area through participation in our Academy's TRICSM. As this process evolves membership input will be invaluable.
Second is our commitment to patient advocacy. There are numerous health care access issues that we face on a daily basis. The ARS Patient Advocacy Committee, chaired by Michael Setzen, has had recent success in overturning policy of a major payor with regard to surgical navigation. Previously considered "experimental" based on level of evidence, surgical navigation is now recognized by that payor as a valuable, proven technology that is good for our patients. This represents a tangible benefit that the ARS has provided for practitioners. There is also still hope that as CMS changes their methodology for approving procedures for ambulatory surgical centers (ASC's), surgical navigation will be considered. Balloon sinuplasty has been another example of technology recently introduced into our specialty. The ARS has taken a proactive position in evaluating its current status by convening a well-rounded Ad Hoc committee to present guidelines to physicians and patients. The ARS is also working closely with one of the largest agencies in the U.S. contracted by payors to oversee precertification for CT scanning.
Third is the camaraderie associated with a subspecialty society. The practice of rhinology is an important part of many otolaryngologic practices. There is a tremendous amount of "learning" that occurs through discussion between free papers and during the breaks at our meetings. There are opportunities for informal case presentations/consultations with the numerous willing experts in our field. Not only does this lead to improved patient care but it fosters friendships and working relationships that would otherwise not occur.
In a time where economic pressures continue to increase, one must critically evaluate membership in "another society". Membership in the American Rhinologic Society is one of the best values today and I would strongly encourage you to join. I look forward to seeing you in Toronto.
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