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.
The 2025 nomination cycle is now closed. Award recipients will be announced in June 2025.
2024 Inaugural Winners
James C. Denneny III, MD and Eugene G. Brown III, MD, RPh, were the first Spirit of Private Practice Award winners at the AAO-HNSF 2024 Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO℠ OPPS General Assembly. Dr. Denneny and Dr. Brown’s exemplary leadership and unwavering dedication to growing otolaryngology-head and neck surgery private practice and the Academy’s newest Section made it too difficult to choose between them. Therefore, OPPS marked the inaugural year of the award by honoring them both.
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℠.
