Kaiser Permanente, Oakland, California
Why are you interested in the YPS position? What do you hope to accomplish in this role?
I have always been excited about getting more involved with the Academy and have an active interest in exploring new roles. As an avid attendee and former resident presenter at multiple Academy meetings, I have always appreciated the role the AAO-HNS plays in our individual growth and ongoing education. As I transition into the role of a young faculty attending at our wonderful residency training program, now more than ever, do I understand the ever-important role of the many governing bodies within the Academy and how influential they can be to the ongoing education and growth of our young physicians and graduating residents/fellows. I hope through the Nominating Committee position to be able to continue this commitment to physician growth and education and to start the journey of further AAO-HNS involvement.
What in your background suggests you will be successful in this position?
I have previously been involved in the Academy as an active member, meeting attendee, presenter, and SRF liaison for our Kaiser Permanente Oakland Medical Center Residency Program. Through this last role, I was actively involved in keeping our residents attuned to opportunities offered by the Academy and stay connected with council members. It was through this connection where I was able to participate as a host during the International Young Physicians Forum for a group of visiting Brazilian resident and attending physicians and provide a positive meeting experience. I hope that my background as a young Latinx Otolaryngologist with language fluency in English, Spanish and Portuguese, will be useful in promoting and establishing lasting connections and mentorships. I am currently 2.5 years into my role as clinical faculty member at our Kaiser Permanente Oto-HNS Residency and am enjoying the wonders (and growing pains) of establishing a new practice, creating professional bonds with former co-residents, navigating office and business dynamics and fostering a collegial work environment. I am hopeful that these experiences of growth are the reason-to-be for the YPS and could prove useful in such a position on the council. I am hopeful you will consider my application for Nominating Committee.
What do you think this position can do to improve mentorship of Young Physicians in the AAO-HNS?
As a new member to the Young Physicians Section, I am hopeful that some of the established practices of continuous engagement and mentoring are already fruitful. I continuously appreciate the role of my mentors in my personal and professional growth and have always believed that we stand on the shoulders of the giants before us. This is especially true for me as a physician of color, where “seeing and hearing” someone who is “like me” was critical to my self validation and perceived success. While the YPS Model Mentor Award represents a culmination of what it can mean to be a good mentor, so many others may go unnoticed in their small but incredibly meaningful contributions. For this I would propose a “gratitude event” that attempts to capture these small moments. I am hopeful that these expressions of gratitude would continue to foster that flame of mentorship in those who have many conflicting callings (workload, administrative tasks, financial burdens, etc).
