Otolaryngology
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|| Top of Page || INTRODUCTIONThe residency training program in Otolaryngology was established at the University of Texas Medical Branch in 1940. In its early years, the program was directed by part-time faculty otolaryngologists from Houston who gave their time and effort to create a high quality program in our specialty. In 1968, Dr. Byron J. Bailey was appointed Wiess Professor and Chairman. In 2003, Dr. Shawn Newlands was named the second Wiess Professor and Chairman of the department. The residency training program in Otolaryngology is fully approved by the Residency Review Committee for Otolaryngology sponsored by the Council on Medical Education of the American Medical Association, the American College of Surgeons, and the American Board of Otolaryngology. The purpose of our training program is to prepare residents to be successful in whatever practice venue they choose. In order to implement our purpose, we have designed a residency training program in otolaryngology that is both extensive and intensive, with an emphasis on breadth of experience. The philosophy of the educational component of the training program is that strength in clinical skills is based upon a thorough knowledge of basic science information. We feel that resident involvement in research activities and publications, while secondary to the development of clinical expertise, is extremely important. Another key word in characterizing our training program is "balance." We seek to provide a balance between individual resident responsibility and resident supervision. Similarly, we seek to provide a balanced experience in terms of the emphasis which is placed upon the medical aspects of our specialty with the surgical aspects. The scope of our residency program includes all aspects of otolaryngology, including otology, audiology and speech pathology, rhinology, laryngology, endoscopy, maxillofacial trauma, plastic and reconstructive surgery of the head and neck, pediatric otolaryngology, head and neck oncology, and otolaryngic allergy. Most of the surgical procedures are performed by residents under supervision of full-time faculty members. All clinics are staffed by faculty members. The resident plays an active and important role in the training of medical students, residents in other specialties, and other residents in otolaryngology. Periodically, the residents are given the primary responsibility of presentations at Grand Rounds, Journal Clubs, and other seminars. || Top of Page || APPLICATION PROCEDURE updated 08/29/2005Each year, three residents are accepted into the program. Beginning in 2005, the Otolaryngology residency program match will be handled through the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP). NRMP's website is http://www.nrmp.org. Students may register with the NRMP beginning in June. See 2007 Main Match Schedule at http://www.nrmp.org/res_match/yearly.html. Students applying to our program will also need to register with ERAS (Electronic Residency Application Service). Residency applications, recommendation letters, transcripts, etc., will be sent to our program through ERAS. The ERAS website is http://www.aamc.org/audienceeras.htm. A complete application will include: CAF, three recommendation letters, personal statement, medical school transcript. USMLE Step 1 transcript and Step 2 transcript (if available). Applications must be complete by October 15 (though Dean's letters may arrive later.) We will inform applicants via email when their application is complete. Invitations to interview will be sent after October 1st. Beginning in 2005, residents will spend all 5 years under the auspices of the Otolaryngology program. There is no need to register with the NRMP for a General Surgery-Preliminary position. Personal Interviews: Our Resident Program Committee reviews applications and offers interviews to select candidates. We schedule the interviews during the months of December and January. || Top of Page || CHRONOLOGICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE TRAINING PROGRAMFirst year (PGY-1): This year is very similar to the traditional general surgery internship, though first year residents are also exposed to emergency medicine, critical care, anesthesia, and neurosurgery. Other surgical rotations provide the basic education and experience necessary for the eventual care of head and neck surgery patients. Two months of this year are spent rotating on the Otolaryngology service. Second year (PGY-2): During the first full year of Otolaryngology training, we emphasize the development of a high level of diagnostic skills and early exposure to operative techniques. During the first three months of the second year, the new residents participate in a series of one to two hour conferences per day which are entitled "The Basic Introduction to Otolaryngology." These sessions provide an overview of the specialty and serve as a springboard for in-depth training. At the present time, the second year resident is a part of a larger team on a specific service for four months. These services provide care for private and non-private patients at John Sealy Hospital and Children's Hospital. During this time, the second year resident works under the direct supervision of a senior resident. Emphasis is placed on out-patient diagnostic and therapeutic skills, preoperative evaluation, assistance with more complex otolaryngologic surgical procedures, audiology and speech pathology, and mastering minor surgical procedures. The second year resident also begins to develop a research plan to be executed during the third year. Third year (PGY-3): During this year, there is are required rotations. There is a 4-month research rotation during which the resident participates in an independent scientific project under the direction of faculty. This rotation is fully supported financially and logistically by the department's research resources. Tthis year is spent working with an eight person otolaryngology group practice in Houston. This rotation is affiliated with Memorial Hospital System of Houston and provides an excellent opportunity for the resident to view and participate in the private practice of our specialty on a very high level. (This group consists of individuals who have special areas of expertise and interests that include neuro-otology, otolaryngic allergy, head and neck cancer surgery, and facial plastic and reconstructive surgery.) The general office practice of otolaryngology is emphasized during this rotation. At the same institution, there is interaction with residents in a Family Practice training program, and residents provide consultation for the patients on that service. This rotation is supervised by G. Walter McReynolds, M.D. Fourth year (PGY-4): The fourth year of the residency program begins the phase of training which is comparable to the senior resident year in most otolaryngology programs. This is the year with the heaviest concentration of surgical activities. There are also major responsibilities for the care of in-patients as well as the out-patient clinic. It is our goal that by the time the resident completes this year of training, he or she should be thoroughly grounded in all aspects of otolaryngology and capable of functioning independently as a general otolaryngologist. One important feature of this year is a 2 month rotation at the Alaska Native Medical Center (ANMC), in Anchorage. The ANMC rotation was developed to give PGY 4 residents extensive exposure to the diagnosis and surgical treatment of middle ear disease. It is expected that during this rotation the resident will gain significant experience with tympanoplasty, ossicular chain reconstruction, and mastoid surgery. In addition the resident will be exposed to general otolaryngology conditions and maxillofacial trauma. Fifth year (PGY-5): This year completes the final portion of the senior resident experience and is designed to permit the resident some flexibility to pursue areas of special interest. We feel that this year often eliminates the need for a post-residency fellowship and permits the graduating resident to enter either an academic environment or a private practice situation with the necessary preparation to function at a high level of expertise. Residents rotate on 3 different services and function as the chief, with responsibilities for patient care and teaching. The residents in this year will share the responsibility for the coordination of teaching conferences and for the selection of some of the topics to be discussed. || Top of Page || FACILITIESThe University of Texas Medical Branch UTMB is the oldest medical training facility in Texas. It was established in 1881 by a vote of the people of Texas and has a long and rich tradition of high quality medical education. The UTMB research enterprise has enjoyed a period of rapid growth and development during the past decade, due to the generous support of the state legislature, private foundations, and successful competition for federal research funds. In fiscal year 2003, UTMB was ranked 19th in NIH funding out of all US medical schools. UTMB is the only state supported general hospital in Texas and, as such, serves as the primary referral hospital for many of the indigent patients in the state who are not residents of one of the four major metropolitan communities. Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery Out-Patient Clinic The building that houses University Hospital Clinics (UHC) was opened July, 1983 and provides a major expansion of our out-patient clinical care activities and teaching. All private and non-private patients are seen in this clinic. Within the 7200 square feet, there are twelve examining rooms, three audiometric suites, a minor operating room, and several teaching areas. The John Sealy Hospital This facility provides the otolaryngology service with up to sixteen beds, each located in a private room. The otolaryngology beds are located on the ninth floor and are closely adjacent to departmental offices. The Children's Hospital This facility contains an otolaryngology clinic which meets 5 days a week. There are six examining rooms, a minor surgery room, a suite for audiological testing, and an office/conference room. Shriner’s Burns Hospital This hospital, which is directly connected to the Children’s Hospital, is a major referral center for the southern United States and Latin America for children with burns and/or craniofacial deformities. At the Shriner’s Hospital residents participate in a weekly craniofacial clinic and consult on patients with Otolaryngologic disease. The surgical correction of difficult airway problems is a large portion of this activity. Texas Department of Criminal Justice Hospital (UTMB-TDCJ) This facility is a general acute
care facility accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care
Organizations (JCAHO). The Center for Audiology and Speech Pathology The center is a comprehensive regional facility for the diagnosis and rehabilitation of patients with communicative disorders. Administratively, it is a Division of the Department of Otolaryngology. The Center includes areas for teaching and research as well as a broad range of diagnostic and rehabilitative facilities for hearing and speech disorders. Temporal Bone Lab This lab is supervised by Tomoko Makshima, MD. It is a 6-station temporal bone lab complete with microscopes, drills, suction, irrigation, and instruments available for resident use. Cadaver temporal bones are readily available through our anatomy department. Computer Science Lab This lab is supervised by Francis B. Quinn, M.D., Professor of Otolaryngology and Pathology. Microvascular Lab This lab is supervised by Vicente Resto, MD, PhD.. Microvascular surgery is performed by our residents. This facility provides opportunities for residents to hone their skills in microvascular anastomosis in preparation for free flap reconstruction cases. Surgical Skills Lab This lab is supervised by Matthew Ryan, M.D. This facility is our very own “anatomy lab.” Residents perform anatomic dissections as well as simulated surgical procedures during their training. An important philosophy of our training program, developed by Dr. Bailey, is that knowledge and ability, not pre-determined timelines, should dictate the operative responsibilities given the residents. Expert anatomic knowledge, a pre-requisite for this approach, is obtained in the surgical skills lab. Molecular Biology Lab This lab is supervised by Tomoko Makishima, M.D. This facility, which is immediately adjacent to the departmental offices, is a state-of-the-art, multipurpose wet lab, developed through a generous investment of departmental resources by Dr. Bailey and provides faculty and residents with a convenient and low-cost venue for the pursuit of basic or translational research projects. We have equipment and instrumentation for tissue processing and storage, tissue culture, electrophoresis, hybridization, RT-PCR, ELISA, cell separation, etc. Residents using this facility have gone on to secure Triologic Society Research Grants and faculty members have successfully obtained NIH funding from pilot projects originated here. || Top of Page || RESIDENT RESEARCH AND PUBLICATIONSEach resident is required to participate in research and publication efforts during the period of his/her training. Substantial direction and assistance is provided by the faculty and support personnel within the department which permits this experience to be maximally productive with a minimal investment of time. Residents may pursue their own interests or participate in some manner in ongoing projects within the department. In the second year of training, residents begin the process of choosing a project and mentor. During the third year of training, a 4 month block of protected time is set aside for the execution of the research plan. Monthly research conferences assist the residents as they prepare, perform, and then analyze the results of their study. || Top of Page || STIPENDS AND FRINGE BENEFITS (updated 11/18/2005)For current salary information, click HERE to see: "UTMB Graduate Medical Education: Salary" at the following URL: http://www.utmb.edu/gme/#salary Fringe benefits at the present time include medical insurance for the entire family, dental insurance for the resident, and Professional Liability Insurance. A variable amount of money is available for travel to meetings and the purchase of books and journals. || Top of Page || CALL SCHEDULEAt the present time, residents are on call approximately every fourth night. All call is taken from home. || Top of Page ||
Last update:9/8/2006 |