Looking Forward— Otolaryngologists’ Visions for 2026

That’s a lot of words to say that I hope in 2026 to secure the funding to take ET Clear to and through FDA Phase I and IIA clinical trials.

Dave Eisele, MD, professor of otolaryngology–head and neck surgery at Johns Hopkins Medicine in Baltimore

In 2026, I look forward to a wonderful celebration of the 250th birthday of the United States.

Eric Gantweker, MD, MSc, MS, pediatric otolaryngologist at Cohen Children’s Hospital at Northwell Health in New Hyde Park, N.Y.

Our institution is going to Epic, so I am excited about a more streamlined and user-friendly electronic health record that will enable more efficient documentation, better research ability, and better communication among HCPs in our system.

Amber Luong, MD, PhD, professor of otorhinolaryngology–head and neck surgery and vice chair of academic affairs in the department of otorhinolaryngology–head and neck surgery at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston in Texas

I am going to Korea for the first time next year with my 12-year-old twins and looking forward to my first K-pop concert.

Romaine Johnson, MD, MPH, editor-in-chief of Laryngoscope Investigative Otolaryngology, pediatric otolaryngologist at Children’s Health, and professor in the department of otolaryngology–head and neck surgery at UT Southwestern Medical Center, both in Dallas

In 2026, I’m looking forward to seeing how large language models mature from being tools to true co-creators in the research and editorial space. We’re entering a phase where AI doesn’t just help us write faster—it helps us think differently, revealing patterns and questions we might have missed. The challenge for editors and investigators alike will be to harness that creativity responsibly, ensuring that human judgment and scientific rigor remain the core of discovery.

Dana Mara Thompson, MD, MS, MBA, professor of otolaryngology– head and neck surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, the Lauren D Holinger Chair in Pediatric Otolaryngology, division head, otolaryngology, head and neck surgery, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, and assistant executive vice president of The Triological Society

As we look ahead to 2026, I’m hopeful about the transformative potential of AI and digital innovation to reshape how we deliver care—not just with greater precision, but with greater purpose. In ENT and across surgical disciplines, we’re beginning to see how intelligent systems can support clinical decision making, streamline workflows, and personalize treatment in ways that improve outcomes and reduce waste. I’m particularly optimistic about how these tools can help us expand access to rural and underserved populations, close equity gaps, and deliver fiscally responsible care in an increasingly strained healthcare environment. The challenge will be to harness this technology thoughtfully— ensuring it complements clinical judgment, respects patient dignity, and aligns with the values that brought us into medicine in the first place.