#HeForShe: How To Be An Advocate For Your Female Colleagues

Tuesday, October 14, 2025

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM EDT

Location: 139

Disclosure(s):

Noor-E-Seher Ali, MD:

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

Dana L. Crosby, MD, MPH:

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

Daniel C. Chelius, MD, Jr.:

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

Joseph E. Kerschner, MD:

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

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: What do you do when you want to help but aren’t sure how to make a difference? What do you do when you recognize the problem but don’t know how to appropriately intervene? Despite significant progress in promoting gender equity in otolaryngology, women in the field continue to face pervasive discrimination and sexual harassment at every level—from medical students to attending physicians. These challenges can manifest in subtle but persistent ways, such as patients or colleagues addressing male medical students instead of female chief residents or attendings. At the other end of the spectrum are explicit incidents, including inappropriate comments and blatant sexual harassment.
Women from minority backgrounds often encounter an additional layer of discrimination, compounding the challenges they face in their daily professional lives. While progress to date has been driven by strong female leaders and male allies working in unison to address these inequities, much work remains. Achieving true equity requires a concerted effort by all otolaryngologists to identify and combat these injustices as they occur.
This panel will equip participants with the tools to recognize, address, and ultimately mitigate gender-based discrimination and harassment in otolaryngology. By fostering allyship and promoting actionable strategies, we aim to create a more inclusive and respectful work environment for all.

OUTCOME OBJECTIVE 1: Gain an understanding of the current state of gender disparities in otolaryngology.

OUTCOME OBJECTIVE 2: Identify real-world examples of discrimination faced by women otolaryngologists.

OUTCOME OBJECTIVE 3: Develop practical strategies to intervene effectively in situations of inequity.

BACKGROUND STATEMENT: Women in otolaryngology face challenges that undermine their contributions, while many male colleagues seek to be allies, they lack guidance. This panel equips ENT professionals with insights and skills to foster equity, creating a more inclusive and supportive workplace.

Comprehensive Otolaryngology Track Statement :

Moderator(s)

Noor-E-Seher Ali, MD

Resident
Southern Illinois University School of Medicine
Springfield, Illinois, United States

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

Panelist(s)

Dana L. Crosby, MD, MPH

Chair, Residency Program Director, and Professor
Southern Illinois University
Springfield, IL, United States

Disclosure(s):
faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.
Daniel C. Chelius, Jr., MD

Associate Professor
Baylor College of Medicine / Texas Children's Hospital
Houston, TX, United States

Disclosure(s):
faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.
Joseph E. Kerschner, MD

Senior Partner
Chartis Consulting
Menomonee Falls, WI, United States

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