From the “Sub-Sterile”
A message from the Chair: Bill Collins
The end of summer can be a bittersweet time. Vacations are over, schools are starting again, and we all start to settle back into a normal busy routine of work, school, and activities. For some the weather will start to cool, and football season is right around the corner here in Gainesville. But this is also a great time for reunions. Friends reunite as a new school year starts. Some start new jobs, and forge new friendships. In Otolaryngology, we have our annual meeting of the American Academy of Otolaryngology meeting every September, and for the first time since COVID made its appearance, we are holding a UF ENT Alumni Reunion at this year’s meeting in Philadelphia. There is much to celebrate in our department as we continue to grow and expand into new clinical areas and further bolster our scholarly work. We hope you can join us on Monday, September 12, 2022 from 6:30-8:30pm at Bank & Bourbon in the Lowe’s Hotel in Philadelphia. E-invitations will be forthcoming. It will be a great time to reminisce with “war stories” from residency, celebrate each others’ company, and look forward to even greater things in our department’s future.
All the best,
US News and World Report Ranking:
With the recent release of the 2022 US News and World Report (USNWR) hospital rankings, we again find ourselves among the leaders in the state of Florida and the nation. This year University of Florida Otolaryngology is ranked 40th in the nation, and 2nd in the state of Florida among “Ear, Nose, & Throat” programs. (UF Health Shands hospitals nationally ranked in 10 adult, pediatric medical specialties | UF Health, University of Florida Health.) The ranking is continued recognition of the hard work put in by our physicians, advanced practice practitioners, and staff every single day. We thank all of those that voted for us in the USNWR survey, and will continue to strive hard to improve even more in next year’s rankings. Full rankings for Otolaryngology are here: Best Hospitals for Ear, Nose & Throat | Rankings & Ratings | US News Best Hospitals
HHT (Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia) Center of Excellence:
The University of Florida was recently notified that they were awarded certification by the Cure HHT Foundation as the first HHT Center of Excellence in the state of Florida (UF Health designated Center of Excellence for rare inherited condition involving blood vessels | UF Health, University of Florida Health.) Co-director Dr. Jeb Justice is our division chief for our Division of Advanced Rhinology, and is often among the first to see these patients due to the common presenting symptom of epistaxis. Offering the latest cutting edge for this potentially debilitating disease, as the first HHT center in Florida we will be able to provide care to the more than 200 patients who already live in Florida with this condition. This multi-disciplinary collaboration is possible due to the great working relationships among the clinical departments at UF. If you have patients that may benefit from an evaluation, please feel free to reach out at (352) 273-5199 and we can help facilitate a referral.
AAO Meeting in Philadelphia:
We hope to see you all in Philadelphia at the 2022 AAO Meeting. If you have time in your schedule, please come out to support your fellow ENT Gators at their respective talks, panels, and presentations.
Sunday, September 11th – Panel Presentation: 9:15AM-10:15AM. “Complications of Otologic Surgery”. Dr. Rex Haberman, Dr. Patrick Antonelli, and Dr. Si Chen.
Sunday, September 11th– Lunch with the Clinical Experts 1: 12:00PM-1:00PM. “Chronic Ear Disease (Roundtable #3)”. Dr. Rex Haberman.
Sunday, September 11th– Poster: Display- 9:00AM-5:15PM; Rapid Presentations-12:00PM-1:00PM; Meet the Authors- 2:15PM-3:15PM. “Using ECMO to Perform Urgent Tracheostomy for Airway Tumor in COVID+ Patient”. Dr. Adrian Chow, Dr. Neil Chheda, and Dr. Brian Hughley.
Sunday, September 11th– Scientiific Oral Presentations 2: 5:15PM-6:15PM. “Scientific Oral Presentations 2- Otology/Neurotology”. Dr. Rex Haberman.
Monday, September 12th– Meet the Scientific Poster Authors: 2:45PM-3:30PM. “Ototoxicity of Next Science Middle Ear Wash™ in guinea pigs with otitis media”. Dr. Carolyn Dirain and Dr. Patrick Antonelli.
Monday, September 12th– Panel Presentation: 5:00PM-6:00PM. “Work-life Integration: Awareness, Accountability, and Actions to Live in Alignment with your Core Values”. Dr. William Collins.
Tuesday, September 13th– Panel Presentation: 9:15AM-10:15AM. “An Evidence-based Approach to the Treatment of Superior Canal Dehiscence Syndrom”. Dr. Rex Haberman.
Tuesday, September 13th– Panel Presentation: 2:15PM-3:15PM. “Conductive Hearing Loss- Not Always Otosclerosis”. Dr. Rex Haberman.
Tuesday, September 13th– Scientific Oral Presentation: 5:00PM-6:00PM. “Scientific Oral Presentations 6- Otology/Neurotology”. Dr. Rex Haberman.
If you are going to be in Philadelphia, we would love to see you in person at our UF Gator Alumni Reception, on Mon. September 12, 2022, from 6:30p – 8:30p at Bank & Bourbon | Dining in Philadelphia, PA (bankandbourbon.com). Please RSVP to christina.sanford@ent.ufl.edu to let us know you are coming. We hope to see you all there to share some food, drink, and great memories about your Gainesville days!
In Memoriam:
It is with great sadness that we report on the passing of one of our own. Dr. Michael Wheeler (UF Otolaryngology residency class of 1981) passed away on August 3, 2022. Dr. Wheeler practiced Otolaryngology in Delray Beach, FL until his retirement in 2015. Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers. Michael Wheeler Obituary (1950 – 2022) – Rockledge, FL – Legacy Remembers
Let us know what’s new in your life!
We would love to know what is new in your life: job promotions, leadership positions, new children or grandchildren, or any other exciting life updates. Please send these updates to william.collins@ent.ufl.edu or nichole.haring@ent.ufl.edu and we can include them in future newsletters.
If you are interested in learning more about giving back to the department, please click the link here.