Indigenous Newcastle ENT surgeon Professor Kelvin Kong AM has received the prestigious John Conley, MD Lecture on Medical Ethics award in front of more than 7,000 of the world’s leading otolaryngology experts.
The American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF) president Dr Douglas Backous presented the award to Prof Kong at the AAO-HNSF 2024 annual meeting and Oto Expo in Miami, Florida from 28 September to 2 October.
The award is named after Dr Conley, an esteemed leader in the specialty, and is based on his passion for head and neck surgery and belief in the professionalism of the practice of medicine.
A recording-breaking 7,000+ attendees including more than 1,900 international delegates from over 90 countries heard Prof Kong deliver the lecture during the opening ceremony on 28 September.
He spoke about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ear health in Australia from an Indigenous perspective and the disparity in health outcomes between Indigenous and non-Indigenous children with ear disease.
“Equitable access to quality healthcare is one of the most pressing global challenges,” Prof Kong said. “As healthcare becomes more advanced, complex, and costly in an increasingly fast-paced world, it can sometimes feel impersonal. While the medical breakthroughs we celebrate are remarkable, the true measure of our progress lies in how accessible care is to all populations.”
Prof Kong said he was thrilled to receive the award.
“This is a real recognition of the fight against ear disease that we are experiencing in Australia,” he said. “I’m honoured to receive such an opportunity but simultaneously saddened to receive it on the back of my community suffering from the effects of otitis media.
“Our privilege and responsibility as caregivers should not be underestimated.”
Prof Kong, an otolaryngologist and head and neck surgeon in Newcastle on Awabakal and Worimi Country is also a professor at the University of Newcastle’s School of Medicine and Public Health, an honorary professor at Macquarie University and an associate professor at UNSW. He is the senior examiner of the ORL mini court for the Royal Australian College of Surgeons and a member of the National Ear and Hearing Health Partnership Committee.
As one of only five Indigenous surgeons in Australia, each year he spends a portion of his time working in, and for, remote Australian communities providing access to quality healthcare that would otherwise be limited or unavailable.
“When I was growing up, my family and the community used to come to our house to receive medical assistance,” he told the AAO-HNSF.
“My sisters and I used to help our mother with an array of care and treatment but it wasn’t until I was in until high school and had a more mature realisation that there was a disparity in healthcare access among my people.
“My non-Indigenous friends were not seeking this kind of help. I knew I really wanted to give back so I was fortunate to attend medical school and gain an early exposure to otolaryngology, which has such a strong community focus.”
Prof Kong said ENT care provided a breadth of practice that was also intimately exposed in Indigenous communities.
“It’s a wonderful feeling to be able to help,” he said.
“The clinical science, anatomy and physiology of hearing is so beautiful. As intriguing as it is to offer patient care through ENT medicine, the impact we can have on a growing child is priceless.”
Pro Kong offered insights into the challenges of managing otitis media and the dichotomy of ear disease in Australia and discussed the complex interplay of socioeconomic factors, cultural nuances and healthcare access contributing to the high prevalence of ear disease in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
He said healthcare professionals in Australia faced unique challenges in diagnosing, treating and managing ear disease within these communities, including cultural sensitivities and historical trauma.
But there were promising interventions and initiatives which aimed to improve ear health outcomes and fostering community-led solutions. These highlighted the importance of culturally competent healthcare delivery and holistic approaches to wellness, he added.
“We recently hosted the OMOZ (Otitis Media Australia) 2024 conference in my hometown. It was inspiring to see so many Indigenous researchers, presenters, and community members leading discussions and demonstrating how far we’ve come from traditional medical models,” Prof Kong said.
“I hope attendees walk away with a deep appreciation for the impact we can have as healthcare professionals. It’s important to recognise that with our privilege comes the responsibility to uplift and support those who are less fortunate. By working together, we can truly make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.”