Program Rotations

PGY-1 residents are assigned to twelve, one-month rotations. Residents spend six months on rotations outside of the department, primarily rotating with general surgery services as well as with neurosurgery. The remainder of the year is spent in the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.

Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Rotation (six months)

PGY-1 residents spend six months working in the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. During this time, they rotate through our Peds, Consult, and Blue services. During this time, PGY-1 residents also spend Thursdays with our otology Service, corresponding with the otology conference and temporal bone drilling.

This rotation structure exposes residents to otolaryngologic scenarios across the spectrum, providing a balance of clinic, inpatient, consultation and operative experience, resulting in an abundance of learning opportunities. Through numerous conferences, rounds and lectures offered throughout the year, the PGY-1 residents are also introduced to the department's academic endeavors.

Perhaps one of the most unique aspects of the PGY-1 year is the Otolaryngology Clinical Skills Period. During this one-month focused educational rotation, the entire PGY-1 class spends two weeks with the head and neck anesthesia team and two weeks focusing on ear, nose and throat skills development. Activities include simulation, didactics and dedicated clinical experiences.

PGY-2 residents spend their time on the Maize, Peds, Blue, and Otology services. These rotations afford PGY-2 residents the opportunity to obtain a strong base of knowledge and experience upon which to build. There is a balance between the clinic and operative experience and a strong emphasis on developing and acquiring the skills and knowledge required to care for patients. System-based practice and the concepts of patient-based learning are also emphasized. Residents have the opportunity to enhance their written and verbal communication skills when communicating with other clinicians and presenting during teaching rounds and conferences. PYG-2 residents take call with senior resident backup.

PGY-3 residents spend their time on the Blue, V.A., Maize, and Wolverine services. PGY-3 residents are expected to take on more responsibility for patient care, teaching and organization under the supervision of faculty and senior residents. They make significant progress in the area of medical knowledge and offer more substantial contributions to case discussions at rounds and conferences. With the assistance of faculty, PGY-3 residents select a research project and complete a research proposal for presentation to the Research Committee and at the Charles J. Krause, M.D., Lectureship. PGY-3 residents continue to take call with senior resident backup.

PGY-4 residents spend time on the Peds and Otology services, assuming chief resident responsibilities during these months. They also have built in elective time, where they will be able to focus on a special interest, research, and/or other learning opportunities. This is also a great time to take advantage of our standing clinical elective at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi, Ghana. The remaining months are spent completing a research project. This work is presented during the Charles J. Krause, M.D., Lectureship and submitted for publication.

The structure of the PGY-4 year gives residents the opportunity to develop and improve their leadership, organizational and communication skills. PGY-4 residents have increased responsibility for supervising and teaching junior residents and students and organizing rotations to ensure work is distributed fairly and appropriately among the service team members. They are expected to develop, communicate and carry out complete treatment plans under faculty supervision. PGY-4 residents contribute substantially during case discussions, rounds and conferences. They also take back-up senior call.

Additionally, our residents participate in a week long temporal bone course in the PGY-3 or PGY-4 year, at no cost to them, in order to gain more otologic experience and hone their surgical skills.

PGY-5 residents are the chief residents on the Blue, Maize, Adult Consult, and V.A. services. These rotations demand excellent organizational, communication and leadership skills. Junior residents and students are assigned to these services, so PGY-5 residents have an excellent opportunity to hone their teaching skills. In addition, they are expected to lead discussions at rounds and conferences. PGY-5 residents perform complex procedures under the supervision of faculty, and supervise junior residents performing less-complex procedures. They have the opportunity to act as consultants, developing and communicating diagnostic and treatment plans to consulting services with faculty supervision. PGY-5 residents provide back-up senior call.