Dear OSG Colleagues,
I am pleased to report that under the leadership of Dr. Doug Backous (our only two term president), we are in the process of planning the 83rd Otosclerosis Study Group meeting in Los Angeles. The “in-person” meeting will take place at 6 PM on Saturday, October 2nd, 2021. The entire Morton’s Steakhouse (735 S Figueroa St.) has been reserved for our meeting.
This has been a very difficult and trying year for all of us. Many have felt like they were being held prisoner in their own homes and offices, while others have felt like they’ve “been through the desert on a horse with no name” (lyrics courtesy of America). To commemorate what we have all been through, the OSG will be serving two special wines by Orin Swift: “The Prisoner” and “8 Years in the Desert.” We have negotiated a discounted price for the wines, but they will need to be procured in advance. To ensure that we have sufficient wine to accommodate our group, you will be receiving a separate Survey Monkey to confirm your attendance as well as your vaccination status. For the safety of you and your OSG colleagues, the OSG leadership would appreciate everyone being vaccinated prior to this meeting.
For those who are unable to physically attend, we will make the scientific program available via Zoom. You will be able to click on the following link to view the program. The same scientific program, “Hot Topics in Otosclerosis Management” that had been planned for Boston will be presented in Los Angeles. The panelists will include Drs. Matt Carlson, Brandon Isaacson, Liz Toh, Jennifer Maw, and Howard Francis. Prior to the panel, we will have the “OSG Doc’s Discussion” presentations. We have allocated 15 minutes for this portion of the program. If you have any interesting or unusual cases, please consider presenting them. Each case will be limited to three minutes. I will be glad to help with any video editing if needed. As in previous years, a $100 Visa Gift Card will be presented to the best presentation.
Despite the pandemic, we expect to have a large turnout for this year’s OSG meeting. New members from last year and this year will be introduced. If you have colleagues, who you feel warrant membership into the Otosclerosis Study Group, please have them download the application from the OSG website and submit two letters of recommendation. If their application is submitted by September 1st, we will be able to vote on them and invite them to the meeting.
This letter also serves as a formal notice for OSG dues. To attend the upcoming meeting in Los Angeles, all dues need to be up to date. The dues will remain at $50 per member and the charge for this year’s dinner will only be $75.00 per person. It is essential that membership dues and dinner charges be paid in advance of the meeting. Failure to do this, will delay us getting started. I have attached your dues invoice and registration forms for the meeting. Please indicate if you are bringing a guest. Plan on arriving at Morton’s by 5:45 PM. The business meeting will begin promptly at 6:00 PM, followed by the scientific session at 6:15 PM. While we are meeting, spouses will enjoy hors d’oeuvres and refreshments. Following the scientific session, we will join them while the restaurant staff sets up for the dinner seating at 8:00.
It is only through the generous support of our exhibitors that the Otosclerosis Study Group is able to hold such an enjoyable event each year. I am pleased to report that the following vendors have already signed up for the meeting in Los Angeles, Earlens, Cochlear Corporation, Grace Medical, Kurz Medical, Lumenis, Med-El, Oticon Medical, Acclarent, Karl Storz and Stryker. We may have space for a couple additional vendors for this event. If you have any vendors that you think would be interested in attending, have them contact my administrative assistant, Sadie Carpenter (scarpenter@carolinaear.us). Please do not take the vendor support for granted. Let them know how much you appreciate their support for our scientific and social activities.
I want to thank each of you for your continued support of the Otosclerosis Study Group. Please complete and return the enclosed registration/dues form as soon as possible. I look forward to seeing you in Los Angeles.
All the best,
John T. McElveen, Jr., M.D.
