Georgetown University Hospital
My intention in serving as Chair-Elect of the Women in Otolaryngology General Council would be to increase the diversity of participation and support of women in our Academy, especially among younger voices and women in our field. The women who have forged the paths we are fortifying are now becoming chair(wo)men, deans of departments, CEOs of companies, and entrepreneurs. Many of these women are my own mentors who have paved the road for me by founding, and serving, WIO. They taught me by example that the best way to address matters facing women in our specialty is to participate in leadership.
As Chair-Elect I hope to improve the circumstances for women in Otolaryngology by both championing the endeavors already underway within our council, as well as spotlighting and helping implement solutions to issues we still face. During my two-year term as Information Secretary on the WIO General Council, I learned first-hand how one of WIO’s great strengths is that it purposefully seeks to include women from both private and academic practices. This form of diversity expands the thoughts and experiences guiding our society. Using a recent grant awarded to me by the Women in Otolaryngology Endowment Committee, together with a group of women physicians in our field, I studied “Evaluating Trends in Medicare Reimbursements between Male and Female Otolaryngologists from 2013-2018.” We determined that reimbursement rates for women in Otolaryngology are consistently and notably less than those of our male counterparts. Yet, as you know, the care we provide is of comparable value and quality. We must help women in our field learn how to improve their billing practices to improve the reimbursements afforded to us for the services we provide.
Webinars that demystify effective billing and coding strategies available to all WIO members would serve each one of us, regardless of practice type and stage of career. And having a forum where we can ask questions about salary, contract negotiation, fee reimbursement, and billing practices would improve the transparency needed to begin closing the gender pay gap in Otolaryngology. Through the power of our WIO community we can effectively keep forging the gender equality we deserve and desire for ourselves as well as those who follow in our footsteps.
It is with this energy and motivation that I hope to further my service to the Academy through the role of WIO Chair Elect. I sincerely hope I earn your vote and this opportunity to serve.
Previous/Relevant Experience: Information Secretary, WIO Governing Council, 2021-2023; Women In Otolaryngology Leadership Development and Mentorship Committee, Non-voting member, 2021-2022; Women in Otolaryngology Research & Survey Committee – Resident member, 2018-2019; Board Member and quarterly columnist, ENTtoday; Veterans Health Administration National Surgery Advisory Board for Gender Affirming Care, Board Member, 2022-Present; American Laryngological Association Post-Graduate Membership Steering Committee, Secretary (Elected Position), 2023-Present
