Gavin Setzen entered the practice of medicine with a single overriding purpose…to improve the lives and access of those who need care. That meant not only ensuring medical care was provided to the best of his abilities, but also to identify ways to improve how his chosen specialty was being practiced, so that patients and practitioners alike would benefit from enhancements, innovations, and leadership.
Dr. Setzen initially earned his medical degree from the University of Witwatersrand in his native South Africa, then emigrated to the States and spent 2.5 years in general surgery at North Shore University Hospital, Cornell University Medical College. He then completed a five-year residency in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at Albany Medical Center, Albany NY. It is where he chose to put down roots, raise a family, and become a full-fledged contributing member of the Capital Region.
His practice of treating adult and pediatric disorders of the ear, nose, throat, and related head and neck structures is comprehensive, and his focus on continually improving the tools, techniques, and protocols available to him and his colleagues motivated him to seek-and be elected-to the presidency of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS). During the term of his leadership, the organization advanced along several meaningful lines.
Since that time, Dr. Setzen has remained active with the AAO-HNS and has been honored with its highest awards (President’s Award and Inaugural inductee into the Hall of Distinction). He has also actively pursued resident teaching, clinical research and serves as a member of several local and national medical and non-medical organizations. He stands as a Clinical Associate Professor of Otolaryngology at Albany Medical Center, and a Fellow of the American Academy of Otolaryngologic Allergy, the American College of Surgeons, the American Rhinologic Society, the American Head & Neck Society, and as a Diplomat of the American Board of Otolaryngology.
His experience over the years, coupled with leadership skills and proximity to cutting-edge thinking and technology in the medical space, has uniquely positioned him to recognize, prepare for and manage the myriad changes the field is continually undergoing, and to view matters on a forward basis. As President of Albany ENT and Allergy Service (40+ medical professionals), he is currently leading that practice in the creation of an MSO that best serves physician and community needs. He is also heading the charge toward establishing a network of ENT specific urgent care centers that provide the immediate access many patients and prospects require in the calendar cluttered world in which we all live. He remains focused on improving patient access, the patient journey, and patient outcomes, while lowering the cost of care.
It is Gavin Setzen’s underlying belief that getting in front of change and helping to direct it to best meet the needs of providers and patients, is what we must all do. Today and tomorrow…