Residency Program
The 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, and in 2011, Dr. Vicente Resto
was named the third Wiess Professor and Department Chair. 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, and 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.