“Inclusive excellence means preserving a high standard of achievement while broadening access to the opportunities, mentorship, and networks through which excellence can be developed, demonstrated, and recognized,” said Dana M. Thompson, MD, MS, MBA, the Triological Society’s associate executive vice president, and executive sponsor and co-founder of the Society’s new mentoring program, LAUNCH-ENT, formerly ELEVATE-ENT.
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October 2026LAUNCH-ENT preserves the aspirational and forward-looking spirit of ELEVATE while offering a distinctive framework that reflects the program’s purpose: leadership development; access to opportunity; understanding the specialty and residency pathway; networks across the pathway; clinical, research, and professional exposure; and hands-on learning and career preparation.
LAUNCH-ENT, which debuted at the Triological Society Combined Sections Meeting in January, was developed by TRIO and the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) to connect with medical students who may have limited access to otolaryngology mentorship in an effort to cast a wider net and improve an inclusive otolaryngology workforce.
Core TRIO members worked collaboratively to design and implement the program. They include Dr. Thompson, Jeffrey P. Simons, MD, MMM, TRIO’s education coordinator; Gina D. Jefferson, MD, LAUNCH-ENT pathway architect; Michael Hoa, MD, LAUNCH-ENT pathway architect; Michael Hoffer, MD, LAUNCH-ENT advisor; and Angel Alcazar, MBA, TRIO’s membership and program specialist.
Inclusive Excellence
Dr. Simons used the term “inclusive excellence” to describe the program’s central aim: to broaden representation and strengthen the future of otolaryngology by identifying and supporting talented medical students who have limited access to specialty-specific mentorship, advising, professional networks, or a home otolaryngology program.
The program aims to broaden participation in the field of otolaryngology by reaching students who might not otherwise see it as a viable or accessible career option. By doing so, it seeks to cultivate excellence among future physicians from a diverse range of institutions, communities, and life experiences.
The willingness of practicing otolaryngologists, educators, and leaders to invest their time and expertise in mentoring these students is essential to the program’s success. Fostering a sense of belonging within the otolaryngology community and establishing meaningful relationships between mentors and mentees are essential components of the program. The goal is to ensure that talented medical students, regardless of their institutional resources or geographic location, are introduced to and nurtured within the culture and practice of otolaryngology.
Two other key roles in the program are held by Mr. Alcazar, who manages the program from an operational and administrative perspective, and Beth Faubel, TRIO’s executive director, who provides strategic leadership to navigate the program’s moving pieces and ensure program goals are met.
How It Works
The program pairs an otolaryngologist mentor—pathway navigator—with a medical student mentee—pathway scholar. Pathway navigators are Triological Society Fellows and members of AAO-HNS Foundation. Pathway scholars are chosen to participate in the program through a competitive application process.
The program is open to medical students enrolled at accredited medical schools who are interested in pursuing a career in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery. Applicants complete an online application that includes their medical school transcript or proof of good standing (i.e., unofficial transcripts are accepted), and a letter of interest that describes how their educational environment, institutional resources, financial circumstances, background, or life experiences have influenced or limited their access to opportunities in otolaryngology–head and neck surgery.
Once accepted into LAUNCH-ENT, pathway scholars are asked to sign a commitment statement attesting to their willingness to participate in all the required activities (described below) and undergo program assessment throughout the year.
The mentor–mentee relationship is structured as a 12-month experience that combines one-on-one mentorship with hands-on skills laboratories at national meetings, technical skills development, residency application preparation, professional networking, and career-development programming. Each pathway scholar receives financial support for travel, lodging, and registration for designated national meetings. This support is made possible through a financial commitment from the TRIO, matched by the AAO-HNS Foundation, reflecting both organizations’ shared investment in expanding access to mentorship and developing the next generation of otolaryngologists.
The inaugural cohort of the program kicked off in January, and 13 pathway scholars were matched with 13 pathway navigators. The pairs met in person for the first time, and the mentee had the opportunity to shadow the mentor, meet and network with otolaryngologists, attend hands-on, skill-building workshops, and gain exposure to the field.
After the initial meeting in January, mentees attended the Combined Otolaryngology Spring Meetings (COSM) in April, which featured residency application preparation (i.e., navigating the Electronic Residency Application Service [ERAS], advice on personal statements, and help with interviewing) and professional development. In October, mentees will attend the AAO-HNS annual meeting with programming focused on research. The program ends in December with a virtual celebration. The program also includes (at least) quarterly check-ins.
Although the program is officially structured for 12 months, the goal is for mentees to develop meaningful relationships with their mentors and other otolaryngologists. The program is designed to foster authentic mentoring relationships that continue through residency and evolve into lasting professional connections throughout a scholar’s career.
A major goal of the program is to strengthen the pipeline of talented future otolaryngologists by providing specialty-specific mentorship to students whose educational experiences, institutional resources, or individual circumstances may otherwise limit their exposure to the field.
Midpoint Results
Now a little more than halfway through the program, the data on the inaugural cohort show positive results. All pathway scholars reported gaining mentorship and peer support and feeling a strong sense of belonging in otolaryngology. Nearly all (92%) reported increased confidence in navigating ENT-related opportunities, and 90% felt more prepared for completing the residency application process. Most (85%) reported gaining an increased understanding of the pathway to becoming an ENT resident, and 77% reported a reduction in impostor syndrome.
When reporting on the effects of attending skills labs, all pathway scholars rated their experience as excellent or good and agreed that the station-based format enhanced engagement, that the labs felt welcoming and supportive, and that they gained hands-on exposure to ENT skills they had not experienced. Nearly all (85%) strongly agreed that interacting with volunteers at different career stages enhanced learning, and that they felt comfortable asking questions.
Looking Ahead
The program’s success so far highlights the important role mentorship plays in expanding the otolaryngologic workforce, particularly by including students who might otherwise not have the opportunity to consider otolaryngology as a profession. Going forward, the aim is to grow the program while maintaining the one-on-one mentorship model that is central to the program’s success.
The long-term vision is to expand future cohorts to reach students nationwide and extend TRIO’s reach upstream to high school and undergraduate students through collaborative efforts, such as skills labs. Dr. Thompson commented that early exposure will create early curiosity in otolaryngology, creating a pathway for future scholars. Long-term growth and sustainability will rely on the availability of mentors willing to give their time to the program and co-sponsored collaboration with institutions and other subspecialty societies in otolaryngology to support skills labs and other experiential learning opportunities.
Triological Fellows who want to get involved can contact Angel Alcazar at angel@triological.org. Involvement can include acting as a mentor, serving on panels, facilitating a skills lab, and helping with scholar programming. Learn more about LAUNCH-ENT.
Mary Beth Nierengarten is a freelance medical writer based in Minnesota.
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