Triological Society Gathers in Coronado

by Thomas R. Collins •

Audience members watch a presentation at the Triological Society Combined Sections Meeting.

Audience members watch a presentation at the Triological Society Combined Sections Meeting. © Robert Bruni, Ambience Photography

CORONADO, Calif.—Otolaryngologists from around the country and the world recently gathered at the Hotel Del Coronado to present new research, talk about the issues of the day, and catch up with friends and colleagues at the Triological Society Combined Sections Meeting, held January 24–26, 2019.

Topics ranged from ototoxicity to smartphone apps for sleep apnea to the benefits and drawbacks of academic medical center mergers. More than 600 physicians, medical students, allied health professionals, and others attended, Triological Society officials said.

Charles Tesar, MD, who works at the Sharp Rees-Stealy group otolaryngology practice in San Diego, said he enjoys the meeting mostly for the new research presented. He said he often learns of findings and advances he can take back to the practice and share with colleagues.

“I want to pick up on what’s current and what’s on the horizon,” he said, mentioning a poster he had recently seen on optimal imaging of the nasal valve. He said he also likes the “How I Do It” sessions in which presenters share videos of their surgical work.

Presidential Address Focuses on Getting Involved

Trio President Sigsbee Duck, RPh, MD

Trio President Sigsbee Duck, RPh, MD. © Robert Bruni, Ambience Photography

Triological Society President Sigsbee Duck, RPh, MD, who is in private practice in Rock Springs, Wyo., used his Presidential Address to emphasize that otolaryngologists appreciate the big picture of their profession and should be active in education, in their communities and in helping shape the healthcare landscape as academic practitioners.

He offered these words of advice:

  • “Everybody wants to be a doctor, but nobody wants to go to medical school, so we have an ethical obligation to protect our patients with the best possible care and training we can offer as otolaryngologists.”
  • Whether a resident, attending physician, a private practitioner, or academician, he said, “each of us has to find the inner drive and self-discipline to always be searching for the positive answers to the daily quagmires that we find ourselves in.”
  • The Triological Society has been essential for helping him stay current with pertinent continuing education. At the same time, through interaction with his colleagues, the Triological Society helped keep him aware of national concerns and offered lessons he was able to put to use locally, although in a different context, as a small-town rural practitioner.
  • “Always find a way to take the time to teach a student, a resident, a fellow colleague.”
  • “I cannot overemphasize how very important it is to participate in local and state community affairs; this is an extraordinarily important attribute to possess, as local participation opens a door that enables an individual to integrate into his or her community with other business leaders and indirectly promote otolaryngology and healthcare concerns by demonstrating interest in all facets of the community in which you live. We must all be proactive and involved to be sure that we try our very best to leave our profession better off than we found it for our future otolaryngologists and, most importantly, for the care of our patients.”

UCSD wins Resident Bowl

A team of University of California–San Diego, residents won the coveted Resident Bowl trophy at this year’s Triological Society Combined Sections Meeting, beating 17 other teams from around the country.