About the OPPS Spirit of Private Practice Award
The “Spirit of Private Practice” award is an annual honor given by the OPPS to a member who has made significant contributions to private practice otolaryngology. This award recognizes the role of private practice otolaryngology in comprehensive ENT care and encourages exemplary community service, collegiality, and cross-discipline outreach. The recipient should demonstrate business acumen, leadership, and dedication to the sustainability of independent practices.
2025 OPPS Spirit of Private Practice Award Recipient
This year’s recipient of the Otolaryngology Private Practice Section (OPPS) Spirit of Private Practice Award is William Blythe, MD. A general otolaryngologist and owner/partner at East Alabama Ear, Nose and Throat, PC in Auburn/Opelika, Alabama, Dr. Blythe earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. He completed his medical degree at the University of Alabama School of Medicine in Birmingham, Alabama and his residency at University of North Carolina Hospitals in Chapel Hill.
As a member-at-large of the AAO-HNS Board of Directors, Dr. Blythe has been an outspoken advocate for independent practices as well as through Bulletin articles and insightful comments, postings, and replies on the ENTConnect platform. He has served on multiple AAO-HNS committees, including the Annual Meeting Program Committee and the Reg-ENT Executive Committee over Sinus and Allergy, where he continues to serve.
Dr. Blythe leads by example through his involvement in his local community. He is the president of Alabama Society of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, as well as alternate governor. He is the past chief of staff of East Alabama Health System and has served as program chairman for the Gulf States Regional Otolaryngology Meeting for 14 years.
Dr. Blythe mentors and encourages young leaders within his private practice and the Academy, and he has published numerous articles promoting physician leadership.
Eligibility:
The nominee must be an OPPS member primarily engaged in private practice.
Criteria:
The nominee must have contributed in at least 3 of the following areas:
- Practice Growth and Stability
- Community Engagement
- Advocacy for Independent Practices
- Innovative Technology Integration
- Quality of Patient Care
- Financial Management
- Collaboration and Partnerships
- Staff Development and Satisfaction
- Ethical Business Practices, and
- Recognition and Awards
Nomination Process:
Individuals can be nominated by others; self-nomination is also permitted.
This Award will follow the same cycle as all others in the annual AAO-HNS Awards cycle. The nomination process opens early January and closes mid-March.
Each nomination must include a statement on why the nominator feels the candidate is deserving of the award, including specific examples.
Presentation:
The award is presented by the OPPS Chair at the OPPS General Assembly during the AAO-HNSF Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO℠.
Previous Recipients:
2024: James C. Denneny III, MD and Eugene G. Brown III, MD, RPh
