Skip to main content
AAO-HNSF 2025 Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO Main banner
Icon Legend
This session is not in your schedule.
This session is in your schedule. Click again to remove it.

Panel Presentations

Care Equity, Quality, and Safety

Improving LGBTQIA+ Patient Care in Otolaryngology

Tuesday, October 14, 2025
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM EDT
Location: 107-108
Disclosure(s):
Sarah M. Russel, MD, MPH:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Noriko Yoshikawa, MD:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

David R. Lee, MD:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: The LGBTQIA+ population in the United States continues to grow – recent estimates suggest that 15-20% of Generation Z identifies with some part of the LGBTQIA+ community. Although LGBTQIA+ people are becoming more visible, little medical education is devoted to preparing trainees and faculty for caring for their LGBTQIA+ patients. Indeed, multiple studies have demonstrated mistreatment of LGBTQIA+ patients in medical settings, indicating the importance of provider education in this area. As such, we aim to equip attendees with the tools needed to provide respectful care to their LGBTQIA+ patients. This includes actionable steps that participants can take to create a more inclusive and welcoming clinic. We will also provide an overview of health inequities facing LGBTQIA+ patients that are relevant otolaryngology, and we discuss the importance of queer representation among our workforce in ensuring optimal outcomes for our LGBTQIA+ patients. This interactive session is targeted at providers of all types and training levels and does not assume prior knowledge in this content area.

OUTCOME OBJECTIVE 1: 1) Apply best practices for respectful interactions with LGBTQIA+ patients and for creating an inclusive clinic

OUTCOME OBJECTIVE 2: 2) Identify health inequities that LGBTQIA+ patients face within otolaryngology

OUTCOME OBJECTIVE 3: 3) Understand the current state of LGBTQIA+ representation within otolaryngology and how this affects patient outcomes

BACKGROUND STATEMENT: This all-queer panel will draw on both evidence and lived experience to provide attendees with skills necessary to optimize care for LGBTQIA+ patients, a population which faces numerous health inequities and discrimination in health care.

Comprehensive Otolaryngology Track Statement :

    Panelist(s)

  • Sarah M. Russel, MD, MPH

    Resident Physician
    University of North Carolina Hospitals
    Chapel Hill, NC, United States

    Disclosure(s):

    faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

    • Moderator(s)

  • Noriko Yoshikawa, MD

    Senior Physician
    Kaiser Permanente
    Oakland, CA, United States

    Disclosure(s):

    faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

    • Panelist(s)

  • BN

    Brian A. Nuyen, MD

    Clinical Assistant Professor
    Stanford Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
    Palo Alto, CA, United States

    Disclosure information not submitted.

  • DL

    David R. Lee, MD

    Assistant Professor
    Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Division of Otolaryngology
    Philadelphia, PA, United States

    Disclosure(s):

    faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.