As we close out 2025, we asked leaders in otolaryngology what they’re looking forward to in 2026. Here, they share their hopes and anticipations for the year, focusing on advancements in clinical practice, technology, research, and professional advocacy.
Samuel H. Selesnick, MD, editor-in-chief, The Laryngoscope, surgeon and neurotologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and professor and vice chair of the department of otolaryngology and professor of otolaryngology in neurological surgery at the Weill Cornell Medical College, both in N.Y.
I am looking forward to the continued growth of The Laryngoscope. The work put in by our associate and section editors, the editorial board, and the reviewers result in important clinical and scientific communication that, I know, is very much appreciated by our readership.
Sujana S. Chandrasekhar, MD, partner at ENT and Allergy Associates, CEO of KivviMed, Inc., clinical professor of otolaryngology at the Zucker School of Medicine, Hofstra-Northwell in Hempstead, N.Y., clinical associate professor of otolaryngology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, co-host and co-executive producer for She’s On Call podcast, director of neurotology at James J Peters VA Medical Center, and staff physician at several hospitals in N.Y. and N.J.
I’m looking forward to my entrepreneurial journey.
My Triological Society thesis (Honorable Mention) was on intranasal surfactant for Eustachian tube dysfunction and otitis media. My co-founders and I at KivviMed have developed and refined our delivery system and the single synthetic surfactant in our device/drug. We added a CFO with great experience in securing funding and have made a lot of progress. I actually won a TiE NJ Women’s Pitch Competition in September and will be going to the TiE Global Semis and (hopefully) Finals in Jaipur, India, in early January. I also pitched on the NYC edition of Season 8 of Meet the Drapers (drapertv.com).
It’s been a wonderful way to take my experience and clinical questions as an otologist and otolaryngologist and try to make a real difference in the world— which is, after all, why I went to medical school in the first place. This journey has taught me a great deal about animal and clinical research, device engineering and formulation, how to speak with regulators and governmental agencies, the importance of intellectual property protection in the U.S. and abroad, and pitching, repitching, patience (!), and stick-to-it-iveness. I’ve essentially been in a mini-MBA masterclass this year and have learned the value of incubators and thoughtful mentors who have helped me hone my CEO skills. I have always thought of myself as a very good scientific presenter, but the skills needed to pitch to investors are different, and I’ve enjoyed learning those as well.
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.
G. Richard Holt, MD, D Bioethics, professor emeritus department of otolaryngology–head and neck surgery, faculty, The Center for Medical Humanities and Ethics, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, and faculty, The San Antonio Military Medical Center Fort Sam Houston in Texas
It is my hope that 2026 will bring a greater understanding of the appropriate use of artificial intelligence in patient care, with well-considered ethical guidelines and prospective inclusion of patient protections. The patient–physician relationship is a privileged contract and foundational to our duty as physicians to care for our patients.
Stephen S. Park, MD, G. Slaughter Fitz–Hugh professor and chair, department of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery, division of facial plastic surgery, at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Va.
By this time next year, December 2026, I look forward to seeing the daily impact of AI on everyday life. I believe growth in 12 months will be measurable.
Travis T. Tollefson, MD, MPH, editor-in-chief, Facial Plastic Surgery & Aesthetic Medicine, director, division of facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, director, AAFPRS UC Davis Fellowship, co-director, UC Davis Cleft and Craniofacial program, and professor in the department of otolaryngology at UC Davis Health in Sacramento, Calif.
I’m looking forward to the Fall 2026 American Board of Otolaryngology– Head and Neck Surgery oral exam, which embodies a meaningful culture shift for our specialty. The new structure—built on candidate-selected cases, peer review, and thoughtful examiner collaboration— advances our profession and ultimately benefits our patients and society.
Rahul K. Shah, MD, MBA, executive vice president and CEO of the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery and its Foundation
As we look toward 2026, I’m energized by the momentum we’ve built together as ONE unified voice in otolaryngology. I’m particularly excited about expanding our advocacy impact. With our strengthened ENT PAC, new health policy fellowship, and resident advocacy scholar’s program, we’re investing in sustained influence at all levels. Through Project 535, our new Capitol to Clinic campaign, and our state trackers, we’ll continue connecting members directly with legislators for fair payment as well as fight scope expansion, reduce administrative burdens, and protect patient safety. In 2026, we are bringing back Hill Day in March to further amplify our voice on Capitol Hill.
I also look forward to driving even greater member value through our clinical data registry. Reg-ent, now with 130 million patient encounters, will provide increasingly powerful data to support evidence-based practice and demonstrate our specialty’s quality outcomes. We’ll continue investing in the resources that strengthen our growing position as the authoritative voice in the specialty, such as the Otolaryngology Core Curriculum, clinical practice guidelines, Corporate Champions program, OTO Forum (save the date and join us March 20-21, in Louisville, Ky.), and new initiatives like ENT Innovation Connection and Innovation Park.
Most importantly, I’m excited to see our specialty’s unity continue to grow. When we speak with one voice, putting patients first, we achieve remarkable wins. Our collective strength makes the impossible possible.
The challenges ahead for those of us who chose a career in medicine and patient care are real. But I’ve learned this: when we believe in the power of ONE, when we stay FIRED UP and READY TO GO, there’s nothing we cannot accomplish for our patients and our specialty.
Let’s Go!
M. Boyd Gillespie, MD, MSc, professor and chair of the department of otolaryngology–head and neck surgery at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis
I am excited about the growth and development of the International Surgical Sleep Society and attending the upcoming international meeting in Mumbai, India, on February 20-22, 2026, to learn how sleep surgery colleagues from around the world are managing this complicated public health dilemma of sleep-disordered breathing.
Subinoy Das, MD, CEO and medical director for the U.S. Institute for Advanced Sinus Care and Research in Columbus, Ohio
Agentic AI!
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