Program Description
The Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery offers a five year accredited residency training program accepting three residents at each level and provides training in all aspects of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery.
Program Schedule
PGY-1 year carries 6 months of OTO, plus one month each of Neurosurgery, Neuroradiology/Radiation Oncology, Thoracic surgery, and a critical care unit, plus 2 months of General Surgery, per the Otolaryngology RRC requirements
By the end of your internship year you will be comfortable managing common inpatient care issues. The last month of internship is your transition month into the Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery Department. You will participate in clinic and in the operating room, in addition to taking call with more senior residents.
As a second year resident, you will spend 3 months each on Head and Neck Oncology, Sinus/Otology, and Facial Platics/Laryngology Services. You will spend 2 months on the Pediatrics service. During this year, you will develop a foundation for higher learning in Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, beginning with a focused head and neck examination, making diagnoses, and participating in the treatment plan. Operative exposure begins with procedures such as tonsillectomies, adenoidectomies, myringotomy & tube placement, adult & pediatric tracheostomies, direct laryngoscopy, esophagoscopies, etc.
As a third year resident, you spend two-month rotations on Head and Neck Oncology, Sinus/Otology, Facial Platics/Laryngology, and Pediatrics Services. You will be directly involved with more advanced procedures such as mastoidectomy, septoplasty, neck dissections, & free-flap harvests. During this year, there is also a four-month research block. This block is to be used for a scientific project of your choice and is normally very productive, leading to one or more publications and national presentations.
As a fourth year, you spend rotations on Head and Neck Oncology, Sinus/Otology, and Facial Platics/Laryngology Services. You will be exposed to the full spectrum of operative experiences within the specialty. You will also have 4 protected months for private practice experience. It is an opportunity to fine tune your surgical and clinical skills in preparation for your chief resident year.
This is your chief resident year, spending four consecutive months each on Head and Neck Oncology, Sinus/Otology, and Facial Platics/Laryngology Services allowing for excellent continuity of care and a more in-depth clinical and operative experience. This is a year in which all the previous experiences come together as you function as the leader of a clinical team, preparing you for success after residency – whether that entails private practice, fellowship, or academic medicine.
Didactics/Teaching
Weekly schedule
- Grand Rounds: Wednesday morning. Formal lectures by faculty, guest speakers, and residents on a variety of related topics.
- Head and Neck Tumor Board: Thursday afternoon. A multidisciplinary session where all new oncology patients are discussed and related topics reviewed.
Monthly schedule
- Morbidity and Mortality Conference
- Neuroradiology Film Conference
- Journal Club – Residents choose, present, and critique articles from Otolaryngology literature. Presenters are assessed by fellow residents on analytical and presentation skills.
- Case Conference – resident-led presentation of core and/or relevant teaching cases within each discipline of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery.
Other Conferences
- Annual Fitz-Hugh Symposium, early June – Two-day seminar with four nationally “renown” guest speakers. This event includes the graduation ceremony for chief residents.
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Jahrsdoerfer Visiting Lectureship in Otology/Neurotology (biannual) – Residents spend the full day with the visiting professor in otology, including an evening dinner lecture.
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Visiting Professor Series (2-3 guest lecturers per year) – national leaders in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery provide a full day of lecture and activities. Residents are excused from all clinical responsibilities on visiting professor days.
- Mock Oral Boards- Faculty led simulation of the American Board of Otolaryngology oral examination. Designed to prepare residents for the format and content of the actual licensing exam following completion of the residency training.
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Plating/ Maxillofacial Trauma Workshop- a sponsored one-day workshop includes lectures from internal and external leaders in the field on issues related to head and neck trauma, and a hands-on plating course (once per year).
Training Facilities
- A state-of-the-art skull-base and temporal bone lab was opened in 2012, fully equipped with teaching stations, computer image guidance, and overhead monitors. This space is available to residents 24 hours a day to further develop their technical skills.
- A dedicated cadaver surgical training facility was opened in 2015. Faculty proctored resident dissection provides the opportunity to perform rare and complex surgeries earlier during residency training, developing the skillset required for outstanding surgical care of the otolaryngology patient.