Expert Opinions: Dr. Roland D. Eavey, Guy M. Maness Professor and Chair, Department of Otolaryngology; Director, Vanderbilt Bill Wilkerson Center for Otolaryngology and Communication Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA

Expert Opinions: 

Dr. Roland D. Eavey, 

Guy M. Maness Professor and Chair,

Department of Otolaryngology; Director, Vanderbilt Bill Wilkerson

Center for Otolaryngology and Communication Sciences,

Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA

Dr. Eavey is doubly Board-certified in Otolaryngology and Pediatrics. He served his residencies at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary (Otolaryngology) and the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles (Pediatrics). He has published extensively in pediatric otology and other aspects of Pediatric Otolaryngology.

Read below, his very interesting answers  to 
                                      THE HEAD AND NECK BLOG!

1.  Dr. Eavey, why did you choose to specialize in Otolaryngology? What attracts you the most in Pediatric Otolaryngology?

Pediatric Otolaryngology chose me. Dr. Sylvan Stool gave a lecture to us medical students at Penn and I was captivated by his enthusiasm. At that time, practically no one was involved in pediatric ENT care, although I was unaware of how nascent the subspecialty was until a few years later.

2.  Can you briefly describe the week of an academic Pediatric ENT Surgeon?

It depends. For most of my career I cared for about 80 outpatients per week and operated 2 days per week. Academic time was primarily late at night and weekends. Fortunately, excellent collaboration with various researchers existed and our fellows and residents were outstanding. My current responsibilities require more administrative than surgical talent.

"An academic scholar requires

1) insatiable curiosity combined with

2) a heavy dose of persistence.

Those two characteristics overcome resource

(time, space, money) barriers"

3. You have outstanding contributions in the field of Otolaryngology and you have published both in basic and clinical science. How, in your opinion, could someone combine research activity and clinical practice? Do you believe it is important for academic surgeons to pursue clinical and or/basic research?

I have been fortunate to work with outstanding fellows and collegial researchers. That is one model of scholarly activity. An academic scholar requires 1) insatiable curiosity combined with 2) a heavy dose of persistence. Those two characteristics overcome resource (time, space, money) barriers. An academician needs to reflect on these two personal traits.

4. As the Chair of Vanderbilt’s Department of Otolaryngology, what in your opinion makes a competitive applicant? What would you advise a medical student, aspiring to pursue a career in Otolaryngology?

A competitive applicant is a good person and a team player who will make a good doctor. All applicants are intelligent and hardworking, so we evaluate for “fit” into our professional family. We value Emotional quotient (EQ) over intelligence quotient (IQ) during busy rotations and at the interview.

5.      What do you expect to change in academic Otolaryngology, in terms of resident training and clinical practice over the next decade?

We train for opportunities that have not yet been invented with our leadership program. We provide exposure to military leadership, public speaking, a micro-MBA and population health prevention over 4 years.

Thank you very much Dr. Eavey for sharing your experience with THE HEAD AND NECK BLOG. It is such a great honor to include you in the Expert Opinions Section!