Jeffrey Dudley
Sacramento Ear, Nose and Throat Surgical and Medical Group, Inc.

What do you see as the biggest issues facing the AOA today?
Maintaining and improving membership levels in a changing environment.

If elected, how would you address those issues and challenges?
Continue to support the new membership levels established this year. Continue to develop the Business of Medicine program that proves the value of AOA membership to physicians so they realize they cannot afford to pass on AOA membership.

What do you think are the biggest issues facing the members today?
The uncertainty in the healthcare environment, changing technology and pressure to consolidate into hospital systems, larger groups or multi-specialty groups are three major issues we all face. Because of these three, I see staff retention develop as another major issue in the future.

If elected, how would you address the member issues?
Continue to foster a strong advocacy relationship with the AAO-HNS in order to impress our will on the payers and regulators that have an impact on the financial well being of our practices. I would have the AOA office provide timely and relevant resources/information to our members that focus on these issues. I would also direct the leadership council to seek out new programs/relationships and avenues to assist our members in dealing with these issues.

James Benson
Northern Lights Clinic

What do you see as the biggest issues facing the AOA today?
As practice size and structures change, the AOA will be challenged to develop new programs and services that meet a broad level of needs.

If elected, how would you address those issues and challenges?
As Treasurer, it will be my responsibility to manage financial resources in a way that will provide value to our members while establishing stability for the long term. This will be accomplished through maintaining current reporting tools while evaluating other metrics of success for the association.

What do you think are the biggest issues facing the members today?
Members are asked to do and know more with fewer resources and less time.

If elected, how would you address the member issues?
My focus will be to evaluate how the association creates additional access to colleagues and affordable resources as a way to provides value to our membership.

Shawn Shanklin
St. John’s Clinic – Ear, Nose and Throat

What do you see as the biggest issues facing the AOA today?
With the current economy, membership and conference attendance are declining. As a result, organizations need to find means of attracting new/retaining current members and to develop alternative venues to provide valuable education.

If elected, how would you address those issues and challenges?
The AOA currently does a great job; however, how do we encourage our members to take advantage of well-crafted webinars, website material, etc. while managing a very busy medical office with its daily demands? Can regional leadership develop closer relationships with local ENT practice administrators to encourage membership and/or work with local members to promote e-learning and to identify desired learning topics?

What do you think are the biggest issues facing the members today?
Declining reimbursements create declining physician compensation, which creates dissatisfied providers resulting in frustrated administrators.

If elected, how would you address the member issues?
Continue to research and present topics addressing: 1) new strategic business growth options (ie., products, services, etc.) and 2) new methods of doing “more for less” (whether through technology, realigning staffing responsibilities, etc.).

Marguerite Wood
ENT of Oklahoma

What do you see as the biggest issues facing the AOA today?
The two biggest factors are: attracting and maintaining quality, connected members; and creating an environment with profound interaction and personal involvement for the betterment of our global profession and personal careers

If elected, how would you address those issues and challenges?
If elected I would focus on increasing membership and creating a collaborative, inclusive environment where everyone felt that their presence and contributions were recognized and central to our organization’s purpose.

What do you think are the biggest issues facing the members today?

• EMR/EHR and it’s evolutionary role in our practices
• New healthcare model and the impact on attracting quality leaders
• Declining reimbursement’s impact on employee retention and work environment

If elected, how would you address the member issues?
First, I would look at reinstating regional groups for strengthening our base membership, empowering our group through local community, and closer peer networks.

Second, I would continue the initiative to procure ways to maximize our membership benefits. Lastly, I would promote our organization through the AAO-HNS and encourage greater physician partnership opportunities.

Lilli Simmons-Byrnes
ENT & Allergy Associates

What do you see as the biggest issues facing the AOA today?
Ensuring that members are getting the educational/informational products and are making the desired professional connections they expect from their membership with the AOA. We need to move forward consistently and be proactive in staying ahead of the curve on issues and technology that affect our specialty.

If elected, how would you address those issues and challenges?
I would look to maintain and foster regular, effective and productive communication among the AOA committees, and between committees and membership. Active involvement and awareness in all areas of the AOA will be important to the growth of the organization and its ability and effectiveness to provide what’s valuable. This type of involvement will help ensure that we deliver what we promise to make available to the general membership.

What do you think are the biggest issues facing the members today?
I believe staying informed and getting the right information to make the right choices is a major concern with the volatile healthcare system facing us in the coming years, particularly with specialty practices. The acquisition of timely and accurate data will be essential to keep their practice progressive and successful.

If elected, how would you address the member issues?
It will be increasingly important to be available and responsive to the needs of members.

Successfully increasing and maintaining networking within the core and extending that throughout the membership should be an active process on all committees. The AOA will be an increasingly needed “go-to” group for members to stay informed and receive assistance. Successfully maintaining and updating our services and products will be essential to providing what is needed by members for success in their practices. A unified, knowledgeable organization is the best way to face and address the challenges facing practices in current time and the future of healthcare. My goal is to be an active facilitator of this thought process and be energetic in maintaining this approach.