I asked a few otolaryngology academic chairs and chiefs to share their reflections; I hope to increase our awareness and gratitude for those who continue to serve. Below are their authentic responses, edited for clarity and length.
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March 2022JW: What were your most difficult pandemic- or nonpandemic-related challenges?
Maie St. John, MD, PhD, chair, department of head and neck surgery, University of California, Los Angeles: In March 2020, when we didn’t know the full implications of COVID- 19, except the challenges from transmission and high mortality risks, I was faced with the realization that I wasn’t afraid of dying but afraid of leaving my three children motherless. I recall a conversation with my father about the uncertainty of my safety as reports of otolaryngologists dying from COVID-19 came to light. My father stated, “If you’re meant to go, you’ve done a lot of good.” Not having knowledge-based answers on how to protect our trainees and even my own children was difficult.
Partnering with chairs and chiefs across the country to gather and share accurate information critical to our department and helping people manage truth vs. narratives were challenging. I also didn’t want our people sitting around during the mandatory shutdown, so many were encouraged to write about their experience and be academically productive. Resource allocation was incredibly challenging, as personal protective equipment (PPE) was scarce. A grateful patient of mine who owned a huge toy company shifted his manufacturing to make powered air purifying respirators for our residents. We made sure our donors supported getting PPE for our residents, and I focused on making sure no one felt alone.
Gene Liu, MD, MMM, president, Cedars Sinai Medical Group: During the start of the pandemic, I served in several leadership roles: president of a 300+ provider multispecialty group including primary/ urgent care within a large health system, a member of the AAO-HNS Infectious Disease Committee; and program chair of a new residency program starting the inaugural class in July 2020. Once the pandemic hit, I also served as the surgical airway director for our 886-bed medical center. The number of decisions required in each of these areas seemed like full-time jobs in themselves. Trying to contribute effectively to each role felt impossible.
On the day the mandatory stayat- home order was implemented, I moved into an apartment to minimize the risk to my family as I worked in our COVID-19 clinic and set up urgent cares. PPE was sparse, safety protocols were just being developed, and very little was clear. Within a week, I fell ill with COVID-19, with moderate symptoms and remained in isolation for two weeks. Managing the physical symptoms and emotional and psychological fears about the unknown, while still assisting in the early pandemic response of our system, was definitely overwhelming.