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To explore challenges and opportunities for supporting midcareer women otolaryngologists in the areas of negotiation and sponsorship.Qualitative approach using semistructured interviews.Online multi-institutional interviews.This study was performed from June to August 2021. Women otolaryngologists representing diverse subspecialties, training, and practice environments were recruited via a purposive criterion-based sampling approach. Semistructured interviews were transcribed, coded, and analyzed via an inductive-deductive approach to produce a thematic content analysis.Among the 12 women interviewees, who represented 7 subspecialties, the majority were Caucasian (58%) and in academic practice (50%). The median residency graduation year was 2002 (range, 1982-2013). Participants expressed several challenges that women otolaryngologists face with respect to negotiation, including the absence of systematic formal negotiation training, gendered expectations that women experience during negotiations, and a perceived lack of power in negotiations. Obstacles to effective sponsorship included difficulty in the identification of sponsors and the influence of gender and related systemic biases that hindered sponsorship opportunities.Notable gender disparities exist for negotiation and sponsorship in the midcareer stage for women otolaryngologists. Women start at a disadvantage due to a lack of negotiation training and access to sponsors, which is exacerbated by systemic gender bias and power differentials as women advance in their careers. This study highlights opportunities to improve negotiation and sponsorship for women, with the goal of promoting a more diverse workforce.

Academic medical centers striving to implement diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and antiracism initiatives often ask faculty to volunteer substantial time to committee work, recruitment, mentoring, community, and administrative responsibilities. These requests are not in lieu of current workload and seldom count toward scholarship; the service may go unrecognized, unrewarded, and uncompensated. URiM faculty (underrepresented in medicine) providing such service thus pay a minority tax when precious time is syphoned away from career-advancing activities and personal growth. The resulting strain on available resources has social, psychological, and monetary ramifications that can undermine the long-term objectives of DEI initiatives. We examine the facets of the minority tax, consider the current state of diversity, and present a roadmap to redistribute, reform, and reduce URiM taxation through shared engagement in DEI initiatives. Key interventions include ascribing value to DEI efforts, implementing evidence-based policies to reduce bias, and promoting mentorship, sponsorship, and allyship.

(1) Identify the time required for completion, submission, and acceptance of a Triological Thesis and trends for thesis acceptance. (2) Determine the current Triological Society demographics and identify variances based on separated age groups of the current membership.Retrospective review of The Triological Society database and survey of candidates and fellows.Data from the records of all candidates and fellows of the Triological Society were reviewed to determine the number of years from candidate to active fellow status for all members inducted into the Triological Society from 1990 to 2018. In addition, all current candidates, active and senior fellows were surveyed online to capture demographic data and opinions regarding the Triological Society.Since 1990, there has been a steady increase in the number of candidates and theses accepted. Of candidates successfully completing theses, 73% did so within 3 years and 90% within 5 years. Based on the 514 of 809 (64%) active and senior fellows responding to the survey, 83% reported being male and 15% female. Also, 73% reported as Caucasian, 12% Asian, 2% Hispanic, 2% Black, 0% Native American, and 2% Mixed Race. Of the 93 of 178 (52%) active candidates (those authorized to prepare a thesis) responding to the survey, 70% reported as male, 28% female, 58% Caucasian, 17% Asian, 6% Hispanic, 5% Black, 0% Native American, and 3% Mixed Race.The Triological Society continues to grow, and its membership is becoming more diverse, including more women and wider ethnic diversity. Candidates should plan for submitting their thesis as early as possible as data demonstrates the greatest likelihood of success if done within 3 years.NA Laryngoscope, 133:73-78, 2023.

Background: Severe laryngomalacia, characterized by apnea, hypoxia, and feeding difficulties, is an uncommon diagnosis that often requires surgical intervention with supraglottoplasty. Children who require surgery at a young age and those with additional comorbidities pose a special challenge and may require further surgical interventions. Posterior displacement of the epiglottis has been noted in some infants with congenital stridor and is commonly treated with epiglottopexy. The goal of our study is to review the outcomes of epiglottopexy combined with supraglottoplasty in our cohort of infants younger than 6 months old with severe laryngomalacia. Methods: A retrospective chart review of infants younger than 6 months old who underwent epiglottopexy combined with supraglottoplasty for severe laryngomalacia from January 2018 to July 2021 at a tertiary care children’s hospital. Results: 13 patients (age 1.3 week-5.2 months) underwent supraglottoplasty and epiglottopexy for severe laryngomalacia and epiglottis retroflection. The patients were admitted to the intensive care unit and remained intubated for at least one night. All patients demonstrated subjective and objective improvement in upper airway respiratory signs and symptoms. Ten patients demonstrated aspiration immediately postoperatively, despite 4 of them having no concern for aspiration at preoperative evaluation. On follow-up, 1 patient required revision supraglottoplasty and epiglottopexy for persistent laryngomalacia, and 2 patients required tracheostomy tube placement due to cardiopulmonary comorbidities. Conclusion: Infants younger than 6 months old with medical comorbidities undergoing epiglottopexy with supraglottoplasty may demonstrate significant improvement in respiratory symptoms. Worsening dysphagia may complicate the postoperative period, particularly among children with medical comorbidities.