Message from the Chair

“The secret to getting results that last is to never stop making improvements. It’s remarkable what you can build if you just don’t stop.” – James Clear

One of the tenets of our department is constant improvement in the pursuit of excellence. It is amazing to me what has been accomplished in the 21 years that we have been a department because of this focus. Many of these accomplishments are highlighted in this newsletter: residents consistently attaining 100% board pass rates and achieving among the best performances on the annual otolaryngology training exam, record publications, faculty awards and honors, continued success in obtaining research funding placing us in the upper ranks nationally, world class training labs, and national leadership in simulation training courses.

Our entire faculty, staff, and trainee group work together to successfully balance the goal of excelling in patient care, education, and discovery. Every day we challenge ourselves to be better than we were yesterday in some meaningful way. This results in outstanding customer service for our patients and referring colleagues, supportive and effective educational programs, and an advancement of new information and ideas. This has created an environment in which our team members feel like they have a purpose in what they do every day—improving the lives of others. An environment wherein we value input and new ideas and where concern for each other is evident, which has resulted in minimal turnover in our department over the years. In turn, we are able to provide outstanding service to you as we partner in the care of our common patients.

I was pleased over the last few weeks to hear many compliments from patients and colleagues about the friendly and efficient service they received in our department. A former student returned to visit and was amazed by the transformation of the department since her time here. It is gratifying when we hear compliments that indicate we are reaching our goal.

Thank you to learners who have chosen to train here and left us better than we were when you arrived, to our patients and referring providers who have trusted us to provide safe and compassionate care, and to everyone who has been a partner in making this department great. As we prepare to grow with new educational programs and new faculty members, I am excited to see what the future holds as we continually strive to improve every day! 

Scott P. Stringer

Professor and Chair
Sstringer@umc.edu
601.984.5167