The Road Less Traveled—at Least by Otolaryngologists

Pursuits To Enhance, Not Replace, Clinical Practice

Bradley B. Block, MD, otolaryngologist–head and neck surgeon at ENT and Allergy Associates, in Garden City, N.Y., hosts a podcast, “Physician’s Guide to Doctoring.”

“The tagline for the podcast is ‘everything we should have been learning while we were memorizing the Krebs cycle.’ It is a personal and professional development show that helps physicians be their best versions in and out of the exam room.

“I started podcasting because I wanted to learn how to communicate with my patients in an effective, yet still efficient, way.

“Since the podcast addresses my questions about life and medicine, both personally and professionally, my life has improved inordinately. I am a better spouse, parent, boss, partner, physician, investor, communicator, networker, entrepreneur, and overall person because of the advice that I have received.”

William Reisacher, MD, a professor in the department of otolaryngology–head and neck surgery and director of allergy services at Weill Cornell Medical College, New York–Presbyterian Hospital, is the co-founder of three biopharmaceutical companies: Intrommune Therapeutics, currently in clinical trials with an allergy immunotherapy toothpaste containing peanut protein; Immunovent, which developed the LAMB-Dx assay for allergy testing; and Allovate Therapeutics/Easily Healthcare, providing allergy immunotherapy via the toothpaste vehicle for airborne allergies.

Being involved with these companies has enhanced my love and appreciation for clinical practice. It’s a common misconception that physicians become entrepreneurs to escape the difficulties of clinical practice when, for many, it brings them much closer to it. —William Reisacher, MD

“Being involved with these companies has enhanced my love and appreciation for clinical practice. It’s a common misconception that physicians become entrepreneurs to escape the difficulties of clinical practice when, for many, it brings them much closer to it.

“Most of my ideas and innovations came directly from difficulties that either I was having in clinical practice or that patients were having in their lives.

“Physicians are naturally innovative and creative people. We make great leaders, as well as team players, and that is a great fit for entrepreneurship.”