University of California San Francisco
It is with great enthusiasm that I submit my application for the WIO Chair-Elect position. If elected as Chair-Elect/Chair, I have several goals I would like to accomplish:
1) Local WIO networking events: I would like to plan small, local WIO social/networking events. I previously planned biannual San Francisco Bay Area WIO dinners which were well attended. We learned from and supported each other in our professional and personal lives, and I left each of these dinners feeling very empowered as a female Otolaryngologist. My hope is to start similar events across the country so we can continue to empower, mentor, and support one another.
2) Shared resources for WIO members: I would aim to create shared resources around unique WIO needs/concerns such as fertility, operative ergonomics, negotiating skills, professional coaching, maternity leave, etc. By providing readily accessible information and connections, we can navigate these unique challenges with confidence and support.
2) Recognition of outstanding WIO members: I believe strongly in recognizing female Otolaryngologists so would like to expand the current WIO awards. I helped to develop the Exemplary Senior Trainee and He-For-She award, but I would also like to honor more outstanding female Otolaryngologists at the annual meeting – potentially an exceptional mentor award, outstanding teaching award, outstanding research award, etc.
4) Speaker database: My goal is to create a database of WIO speakers with expertise on various topics that would be available to meeting planning committees so we can increase the number of female panelists, visiting professors, consultants, invited speakers, etc.
It has been a pleasure to watch the WIO grow over the past 15 years. I have benefitted immensely from the women who served WIO in the past, and I have been blessed with amazing mentors and friends via the WIO who have helped me get to where I am today. I am deeply inspired by the incredible women in our field, and I am committed to giving back to this community that has given me so much. I would be honored to serve as the WIO Chair-Elect/Chair.
Relevant Experience: I have been actively involved in the AAO-HNS/F and the WIO Section since 2008, and it would be an honor to serve as section Chair-Elect/Chair. I previously served on the WIO governing council as member-at-large and as information officer and have worked with many WIO committees. Through these prior roles, I led the development of the WIO exemplary senior trainee and he-for-she annual awards. I received two WIO endowment grants which funded in-person and online negotiation training seminars for WIO members as well as a residency leadership training program. Outside of WIO, I have also held many leadership positions that would prepare me well for this position. I served as the OHNS residency program director at Kaiser Permanente until transitioning my practice to UCSF in 2022 where I now serve as the chief of OHNS at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and the UCSF OHNS Director of Quality. I also serve as an Associate Editor for the Laryngoscope. My leadership experience, prior WIO governing council roles and dedication to the WIO mission would prepare me well for this position.
