The AAO-HNSF 2025 Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO will offer opportunities for women in otolaryngology to attend groundbreaking education sessions and engage with leaders in the specialty. Explore the resources below and check back often for new information to help you make the most out of your experience at the Annual Meeting. We hope to see you there!
Key Sessions and Networking Events for Women in Otolaryngology
Advancing Gender Equity in Otolaryngology: Challenges and Opportunities Across Career Stages
Saturday, October 11 | 2:30 PM – 3:30 pm (ET)
Over the past several decades, the representation of women in medicine has steadily increased, particularly in medical school matriculants, residency programs, and leadership roles. Since 2017, women have outnumbered men in medical school matriculants, and by 2021, 47.3% of residents in AAMC-accredited specialty programs were female. Similarly, in Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery (OHNS), female residents have grown from 27.5% to 36.5% between 2008 and 2017. Despite this upward trend, gender disparities persist. In 2021, only 18.9% of active otolaryngologists in the United States were women, highlighting a significant underrepresentation in a specialty with an otherwise growing pool of female trainees.
This disparity is even more pronounced in leadership positions, where women occupy a small fraction of professorial and chair roles. Furthermore, in low—and middle-income countries (LMICs), structural and cultural barriers compound gender inequities in OHNS. As more women pursue academic otolaryngology careers, the field must adapt to address these disparities and foster an environment that promotes gender equity.
This panel features medical students, residents, and attending physicians at various career stages. It provides a comprehensive view of the challenges encountered and opportunities available at different stages of professional development. These diverse perspectives enrich the discussion by highlighting the unique barriers faced at each stage and strategies that can be implemented at both individual and institutional levels. Through personal narratives and data-driven insights, panelists will provide actionable recommendations for bridging the gender gap and advancing equity in OHNS globally.
The State of Research on Women Otolaryngologists: Impact on Surgeons and Our Patients
Saturday, October 11 | 2:30 PM – 3:30 pm (ET)
Research consistently demonstrates disparities in rank, retention, and leadership across the career trajectories of women in medicine. Emerging evidence is beginning to illustrate the driving factors for these differences, and even the impact this has on patients. Within the last few years, this has included prospective cohort studies on surgical residents, large healthcare database research into patient outcomes, and in-depth qualitative interviews of both men and women surgeons. Given the rapidly changing evidence base, this panel aims to review the most up-to-date data on gender equity in our field. This year, we will focus on the gendered experience in the surgical workplace and in training, and how this impacts the entry into, advancement through, and satisfaction with surgical careers. The panel will also share thought-provoking studies that suggest different patient outcomes based on physician gender. Updated evidence-based resources from Otolaryngology and other disciplines related to these topics will be provided. Participants will be challenged to take home actionable insights to implement and developing areas for further study following the conference.
Women in Private Practice: Transforming Challenges into Opportunities
Saturday, October 11 | 2:30 – 3:30 pm (ET)
In the evolving landscape of private practice, women face unique challenges that require innovative and sustainable solutions to thrive. This session, Women in Private Practice: Transforming Challenges into Opportunities, will feature panelists sharing real-life obstacles they’ve encountered and the strategies they implemented to overcome them. From navigating leadership roles and managing practice growth to balancing work-life demands, this session provides actionable insights tailored to otolaryngologists in private practice. Attendees will also have the opportunity to present their own challenges to the panel for live discussion, fostering an interactive and supportive environment. This session is designed to empower participants with practical tools, inspiration, and strategies to turn obstacles into stepping stones for personal and professional success.
Patient Satisfaction Scores in Otolaryngology Are Affected by Gender and Race Concordance
Sunday, October 12 | 1:06 PM – 1:12 pm (ET)
Patient satisfaction scores (PSS) are often used as a proxy to measure health care quality, which can impact hospital and provider reputation and be integrated into financial incentives, including reimbursement. While described as an objective metric, PSS are multifactorial and may be affected by unconscious bias. Previous work examining academic otolaryngology has suggested PSS are not impacted by provider demographics, however work in other fields suggests otherwise. This study aimed to determine whether patient and provider demographics impact PSS in Otolaryngology.
Gender Disparities in Research Leadership: Trending Female Representation in Otolaryngology Clinical Trials
Sunday, October 12 | 1:42 PM – 1:48 pm (ET)
Clinical trials are essential for advancing evidence-based care in otolaryngology, and principal investigator (PI) roles offer academic promotion opportunities. Although the number of female authors in the otolaryngology literature rose from 28.2% in 2000 to 39.9% in 2015, women remain underrepresented as PIs. This study evaluates trends in female PIs in otolaryngology clinical trials and identifies strategies to advance gender equity in research leadership.
Gender and Racial Diversity Within Academic Otolaryngology: An Update
Monday, October 13 | 8:06 AM – 8:12 am (ET)
Prior studies have demonstrated minimal increase in underrepresented minorities in surgical residency and academic careers over the past thirty years. This study sought to analyze demographic differences among academic otolaryngologists and potential associations with research productivity, academic rank, and departmental leadership positions.
State of the Otolaryngology Union-It’s Raining Men, Hold the Hallelujah Evaluating Sponsorship Opportunities by Gender
Monday, October 13 | 8:18 – 9:00 am (ET)
A relatively new term for a well-practiced phenomenon, sponsorship, is essential to career advancement, but recent studies suggest that opportunities are not equal between men and women in surgical fields. With funding from the 2024 AAO-HNSF Women in Otolaryngology Endowment Grant, we have quantified the state of sponsorship in otolaryngology by gender on the academic, national, and research levels, and identified areas lacking that merit discussion and intervention. The goal of this panel is to present our findings and explore opportunities for more equitable sponsorship within Otolaryngology at each level.
Pregnancy Disclosure Among Trainees: How to Create a Culture of Trust
Monday, October 13 | 9:30 AM – 10:30 am (ET)
Over the past decade, pregnancy discrimination in the US has been a significant issue, with more than 50,000 claims filed. This discrimination can lead to lower salaries and fewer promotions. In general surgery training, women face challenges including unmanageable work schedules, pregnancy stigma, inadequate maternity leave, insufficient childcare and lactation support, and lack of mentorship. A 2024 study found that 58% of female general surgery residents experienced pregnancy/parenthood-based mistreatment, leading to higher burnout rates and obstetric complications. Surgeons face obstetric complication rates of 25-82%, significantly higher than the general US population’s 5-15%.
Pregnancy disclosure can be stressful for trainees, potentially leading to extended residency, delayed fellowship, and graduation. This workshop will explore strategies for trainees disclosing pregnancy or childcare needs, and for program directors and department chairs handling these requests. We’ll discuss creating an open culture of trust and understanding to ease this process for both trainees and faculty. Additionally, we’ll address paternity and parental caregiver leave. Case based discussion will be performed and discussed as small groups.
Amplifying Your Research: From Study Design, Statistics & Scientific Writing to Social Media
Monday, October 13 | 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM (ET)
Publication and promotion of research can be time consuming and confusing. This panel aims to streamline the process to increase your research success. The presentation will include hypothesis generation tips, optimization of study design & statistics, and scientific writing pearls. The goal is to allow you to generate a compelling, evidence-based narrative– optimizing your data presentation. The Editor-in-Chief will provide an overview of the peer review process, highlighting common pitfalls leading to manuscript rejection. Contemporary topics to include Artificial Intelligence and research amplification via social media will be highlighted. This panel is geared towards attendees of all levels: from medical students and residents new to research and publication, to the seasoned attendee looking to become a stronger scientific writer and reviewer. Ultimately, it will maximize your research success by streamlining the publication process and highlighting opportunities to showcase your outstanding work via social media platforms.
Empowering Equality: AI and Gender Equity in Otolaryngology
Monday, October 13 | 4:00 PM – 5:00 pm (ET)
This session will address the critical issue of gender bias in artificial intelligence (AI) systems and its implications for the field of otolaryngology (ENT) as it relates to patient care and women practicing within the field. As AI technologies are increasingly integrated into healthcare, they hold significant potential to enhance diagnostic accuracy and treatment decision-making. Because AI is based off of pattern recognition, errors and biases in the training dataset are perpetuated into AI recommendations. This bias that results is referred to as algorithmic bias, which can result in systematic and unfair discrimination embedded in AI systems. These biases can lead to disparities in care, misdiagnoses, and unequal treatment recommendations.
#HeForShe: How To Be An Advocate For Your Female Colleagues
Tuesday, October 14 | 8:00 – 9:00 am (ET)
What do you do when you want to help but aren’t sure how to make a difference? What do you do when you recognize the problem but don’t know how to appropriately intervene? Despite significant progress in promoting gender equity in otolaryngology, women in the field continue to face pervasive discrimination and sexual harassment at every level—from medical students to attending physicians. These challenges can manifest in subtle but persistent ways, such as patients or colleagues addressing male medical students instead of female chief residents or attendings. At the other end of the spectrum are explicit incidents, including inappropriate comments and blatant sexual harassment.
Navigating Pregnancy and Parenthood During Otolaryngology Training and Beyond
Tuesday, October 14 | 11:00 AM – 12:00 pm (ET)
In a recently published systematic review, researchers highlighted significant challenges faced by pregnant surgical residents, including an increased risk of obstetrical complications compared to the general population. Key residency-related predictors of complications included: Working more than six overnight call shifts, and working over 60 hours per week.
The review also revealed a persistent issue within surgical training: negative attitudes and perceptions toward pregnant residents. These stigmas persist despite evidence showing that pregnant residents perform equally to their peers in areas such as attrition rates, caseload completion, and board exam success. Another study further underscored the strain, reporting that 39% of surveyed residents had strongly considered leaving surgical training due to pregnancy-related challenges, and nearly 30% discouraged female medical students from pursuing surgical specialties.
As we strive to enhance gender diversity in surgical fields, these findings underscore the urgent need to address both systemic barriers and cultural stigmas. This panel will explore ways to better support childbearing surgeons and foster a more inclusive surgical environment. Join Dr. Dana Crosby (Chair/Program Director, SIU), Dr. Tiffany Glazer (Program Director, UW-Madison), and Dr. Henya Sandhaus (Fellow, University of Utah) as they share insights on navigating pregnancy and parenthood during otolaryngology training. Discussions will include actionable steps and discussion of a proposed pregnancy protocol designed to improve safety, support, and equity for pregnant surgeons.
Explore the Full Education Program
View the full education program to start planning your schedule.
WIO General Assembly
Saturday, October 11 | 11:00 am (ET)
Celebrate the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the WIO Section, beginning with an opportunity to network while enjoying coffee, tea, and pastries. Women in Otolaryngology (WIO) award recipients will be recognized, the incoming WIO leadership will be introduced, and keynote Silvia Karlsson, P.E.,F.SWE, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineer, will discuss her part in development of the Cadillac Formula 1 Team which officially joins the F1A Formula One World Championship for the 2026 season.
Presidents’ Reception
Saturday, October 11 | 6:00 pm (ET)
The Presidents’ Reception is an unforgettable occasion affording attendees ample time to network and connect with colleagues from around the globe. The 2025 Presidents’ Reception will take place at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Additional Events
We also encourage you to attend the General Assemblies of the Sections for Residents and Fellows-in-Training, Young Physicians, and Otolaryngology Private Practice, participate as a guest in committee meetings of interest, and discover the most comprehensive display of the latest products and services in the OTO EXPO!
Childcare Program | Mini ENT Camp
Full-day and half-day programs for infants and children will be available during the 2025 Annual Meeting. Infants and toddlers will have separate play and rest areas, and will have access to toys and activities designed to let babies and toddlers explore, play and take in their surroundings as their age and interest level allows. Pre-school and school-aged children will be engaged through instructive play activities while fostering sharing and collaboration. Registration closes on September 11. Onsite registration will not be available. Learn more and register here.
Wellness Zone sponsored by Sanofi
Surgeons often prioritize patient care over their own wellbeing. This new experience in the OTO EXPO area is designed to help surgeons decompress and recharge. Chair massages, ergonomic consultations, and guided meditation sessions are just a few of the offerings. Tai Chi and yoga stretching sessions will also be offered in the mornings, as well as therapeutic mural painting. The Academy hopes that surgeons take some of these actionable strategies home to implement long-term to reduce stress.
