In this compelling episode of Voices of Otolaryngology, host Rahul Shah, MD, MBA, talks with G. Lee Bryant, Jr., MD, a veteran private practice otolaryngologist based in Nashville and an innovator in in-office procedures. Dr. Bryant recounts his extraordinary personal journey as a melanoma survivor, including the self-biopsy that saved his life, and how that experience reshaped his approach to patient care.

Beyond his survival story, Dr. Bryant shares how he and his colleagues pioneered in-office rhinology and sinus surgery techniques. He explains the clinical, economic, and patient-centered benefits of shifting appropriate surgeries from the hospital to the office, while emphasizing safety, team-based care, and ongoing education for the next generation of ENT specialists.

Listeners will gain insights into the evolution of minimally invasive otolaryngology, strategies for building successful office-based surgical programs, and Dr. Bryant’s perspective on why this movement represents the future of patient care.

In this episode of Voices of Otolaryngology, host Dr. Rahul Shah sits down with Nora W. Perkins, MD, a private practice otolaryngologist with Albany ENT & Allergy Services, in New York, and liaison for advanced practice providers (APPs) in her group. Dr. Perkins shares how her practice grew from a single APP in the early 2000s to more than 20 today, creating a thriving model for expanding patient access, reducing physician burden, and maintaining high-quality care.

Dr. Perkins walks listeners through her group’s 24-week onboarding and training program, including eight to ten weeks of shadowing, structured educational resources, and gradual ramp-up to independent practice. She explains how her team balances APP autonomy with strong physician collaboration and fosters a culture where both physicians and APPs thrive without competing for patients.

The discussion also highlights strategies for building a collegial culture, retaining providers, and ensuring quality through oversight, education, and procedural training. Whether you’re a practice leader, a physician exploring APP integration, or an APP considering otolaryngology, this episode provides a practical, experience-driven roadmap for success.

Voices of Otolaryngology host, Rahul K. Shah, MD, MBA, AAO-HNS/F EVP/CEO, talks with David M. Yen, MD, about his practice, Specialty Physician Associates in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, has established a fully accredited residency program. The two discuss how the hybrid private-academic model represents the future of the specialty and how their program uniquely prepares residents to provide exceptional ENT care in community settings across the U.S. The conversation also explores the benefits and challenges of balancing education, workforce needs, patient care, and innovation.

Whether you’re a practicing otolaryngologist, a trainee considering your career path, or a physician leader navigating the business of medicine, this episode offers insights into the evolving landscape of otolaryngology and the power of embracing flexibility in training and practice.

Resources:

2023 Otolaryngology Workforce Report

https://www.entnet.org/business-of-medicine/workforce-survey/

"Privademics," published in the AAO-HNS Bulletin January 2024, authored by Dr. Yen:

https://bulletin.entnet.org/business-of-medicine-practice-management/article/22884170/privademics