Mission, Vision & Values

It is the mission of the UW Department of Otolaryngology - HNS to provide excellence and leadership in all aspects of otolaryngology.

The UW Department of Otolaryngology - HNS is at its best with broad diversity in race, ethnicity, gender and generational representation across faculty, trainees and staff. Diverse ideas and perspectives are encouraged and heard. These strengths are incorporated into our policies and strategic initiatives and all that we do.

Our Values: Empathy, Diversity, Integrity, Respect, Honesty, Cohesiveness, Collaboration, Equity, Excellence 

Our ideals:

• Acceptance and acknowledgement that we each have attitudes and biases that influence our understanding, actions and decisions
• Cordiality, collegiality and professionalism in all our interactions
• Freedom from fear of judgement or retaliation
• Openness to discussion and the free exchange of ideas, including disagreements
• Transparency and collaboration
• Consistency and timeliness with responding to requests
• We strive to discover facts and not make assumptions

Our values in action:

• We commit to self-awareness and empathy as a means to eliminate bias.
• We assume positive intent.
• We listen to understand vs. listening to react. We don’t become defensive.
• We give, receive and proactively ask for feedback
• We engage in dialogue to create action steps both formally (e.g. standing items on staff, research and faculty meetings) and informally.
• We identify and allocate resources for ongoing training and education.
• We agree to zero tolerance for the following behaviors, and we agree to always address perceived and actual instances of these behaviors.

1. - Discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability or socio-economic status
2. - Uninvited or unwanted touching
3. - Intimidating, aggressive, demeaning communication

• We find fulfillment and enjoyment in being part of UW Otolaryngology-HNS.