Voices of Otolaryngology

Patients want to be heard, respected, and involved in their care—and they want physicians who can guide them with confidence and clarity. In this episode of Voices of Otolaryngology, host Rahul K. Shah, MD, MBA, welcomes Emily F. Boss, MD, MPH, director of pediatric otolaryngology and professor of otolaryngology–head and neck surgery at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, for a conversation about patient experience, trust, and shared decision-making. Drawing on her research into clinical conversations, Dr. Boss explores what helps patients and families feel empowered and why meaningful engagement is about more than the length of a visit. From the "Purell Moment," a brief reset before entering the exam room, to asking patients what matters most, she shares practical strategies for building trust, offering evidence-based recommendations, and aligning clinical expertise with patient priorities.

In this episode of Voices of Otolaryngology, Jonathan D. Cooper, MD, and Richard J. Vivero, MD, join host Rahul K. Shah, MD, MBA, to discuss how they grew South Florida ENT Associates into Elevate ENT, a physician-led organization built to help otolaryngologists stay independent, collaborative, and in control as the specialty consolidates. Drs. Cooper and Vivero trace Elevate ENT's evolution from its early days as a group practice to a data-driven, physician-led network. They explore how insurance rate cuts and the need for greater negotiating power sparked the group's formation and how legal structure, equity models, and a strong culture supported its growth. They also discuss how KPIs, benchmarking, and financial transparency have boosted practice productivity while preserving autonomy and quality of care. 

What's changing in pediatric allergy care, and what should otolaryngologists know? Host Rahul K. Shah, MD, MBA, is joined by Haidy Marzouk, MD, MBA, and Christine Franzese, MD, from the AAO-HNS committee on allergy, asthma and immunology, to explore emerging approaches to treating allergic disease in children. From sublingual immunotherapy and needle-free epinephrine to new options for food allergy and eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), they discuss how earlier intervention and less invasive therapies are expanding treatment options and transforming quality of life. The conversation also looks ahead at what's on the horizon and offers practical guidance for otolaryngologists interested in incorporating allergy care into their practice.

What happens when Medicare payment policy makes it harder for physicians to provide all the care a patient needs in a single visit? More than 80% of ENTs say a proposed CMS rule could force them to cut Medicare services or stop accepting Medicare entirely. AAO-HNS President Dr. Gene Brown joins CEO Dr. Rahul Shah to discuss the proposed CMS payment reduction for certain same-day services and physicians' concerns about patients' access to comprehensive, coordinated care. Dr. Brown shares real patient stories showing why same-day care matters—particularly for Medicare beneficiaries who may need multiple medically necessary services in one visit. "When the system is squeezed, patient access becomes the pressure valve," Dr. Brown says. Learn more and take action: https://www.ENTsCareForMedicare.org/

In this episode of Voices of Otolaryngology, Tali Lando, MD, a pediatric otolaryngologist at Maria Fareri Children's Hospital of Westchester Medical Center and author of Breathless: Surgical Tales from the Brink (and Back), joins host Rahul K. Shah, MD, MBA, for a candid conversation about writing honestly about medicine. Dr. Lando discusses the 16-case medical memoir's structure, built around both the technical arc of surgery and its personal aftermath, and how surviving Stage IIIC breast cancer as a practicing surgeon shaped her first book, Hell and Back. She covers the HIPAA and confidentiality questions that come with writing about real patients, the mentors and editors who helped her find the confidence to publish, and why she believes storytelling belongs alongside clinical skill as a tool for teaching the next generation of otolaryngologists. Dr. Lando's book: https://amzn.to/4f4ZaxG