Medical Student Education

Medical student education is a top priority for the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. We are committed to promoting diversity, equity and inclusion in our educational programs. We participate in several programs that provide funded opportunities for medical students from underrepresented minorities and those interested in health equity to visit our department for clinical rotations. 

More information about these programs are available through the following resources:

• American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
• American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology
• U-M Health Equity Visiting Clerkship

Medical students are exposed to the diagnosis and management of ear, nose and throat problems across the spectrum through participation in outpatient clinics, inpatient rounds and operative procedures. Students are expected to adequately prepare for these activities through the appropriate use of medical literature and other learning experiences.

All clinical electives can be tailored to fit the interests of the student and students should reach out to the medical student director and coordinator if a schedule different from the below is desired.

• Exploratory: A two-week elective spent on our Blue (head and neck) and Maize (combined general ENT/laryngology/rhinology/facial plastics) services. This course is designed to expose the student to the breadth of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery. Students will be exposed to all aspects of the field, including both the clinic and the operating room.
• General: A four-week elective spent on our Blue (Head and Neck), Maize (combined general ENT/laryngology/rhinology/facial plastics), otology, and pediatric otolaryngology services. A comprehensive clinical and operative experience with exposure to diagnosis and management of a spectrum of problems (from simple to complex) in the field of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery. The rotation also offers the opportunity to concentrate in a particular subspecialty (e.g. head and neck surgery, pediatric otolaryngology, facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, laryngology, rhinology/sinus surgery, anterior skull base surgery, otology/neurotology) for the entire rotation. In addition to those students preparing for a career in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery, this immersion might also be useful for future dermatologists (a whole month focusing on facial plastics and reconstructive surgery), neurosurgeons (skull base surgery), pediatricians/family practice (pediatric otolaryngology), and general surgeons (head and neck surgery and endocrine surgery).
• Primary care: This four-week elective will cater to those students whose interests are in family medicine, pediatrics, and/or internal medicine and will provide both clinical exposure to, and didactic lectures on, common ear, nose, and throat concerns. The elective will concentrate on those problems that would be commonly seen in a primary care practice and emphasis will be placed on outpatient clinic exposure to these diseases.

For medical students looking for a more in-depth experience to prepare themselves for residency, the department offers a subinternship in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery. This four-week elective is typically spent on our Blue (head and neck), Maize (combined general ENT/laryngology/rhinology/facial plastics), otology, and pediatric otolaryngology services.

Students should expect to do a case or other assigned presentation while on service and attend the didactic and case conferences of their assigned service. Students should also expect to take call twice during the rotation.

The subinternship is open to both U-M medical students and visiting medical students.

• Research: In this two- or four-week research elective, time will be spent thinking critically about a specific area of interest in otolaryngology and developing a research question in collaboration with a research mentor. Students will perform pertinent medical literature reviews, formulate a hypothesis and appropriate study design, and analyze data. Students will develop skills in manuscript composition as well as poster and oral presentations.
• Hearing loss in children: A two-week online course that addresses current gaps in medical school curricula about pediatric hearing loss and gives learners the foundational knowledge that can be applied to a broad range of health and educational settings.

• Head and Neck Anatomy Teaching Assistant Course: The Head and Neck Anatomy Teaching Assistant Course is designed for third- and fourth-year medical students to advance their understanding of head and neck anatomy and its clinical applications. This course is particularly suited for students planning to pursue residency training in otolaryngology, ophthalmology, neurology, neurosurgery, and plastic surgery. 

  This can be taken as both a 2- or 4-week elective. Students will meet with Drs. David Brzezinski and Mary Orczykowski to review the structure and objectives of the course. 

  • During the first (and third) week(s) of the rotation, students will assume the role of teaching assistant to help guide M2 students through 2-3 anatomical donor dissections during the Applied Sciences portion of their surgery clerkships.

  • The second (and fourth) week(s) of the course will consist of independent study time using a variety of multimedia resources within Canvas to review basic head and neck anatomy. 

  • At the conclusion of the course, students will give an oral presentation or create a video project on a clinical head and neck topic of their choice. 

The department sponsors an ENT Interest Group (ENTIG) for University of Michigan medical students. The group meets frequently, providing students with the opportunity to hear from faculty speakers and participate in a question and answer session during a department-funded lunch or dinner.

Dr. Bohm is available to meet with U-M students to discuss otolaryngology careers, how to match, CV review and more. Please email our education administrator at education-oto@med.umich.edu for more information.