The University of Michigan Medical School Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery residency program offers a robust clinical training experience.
The program curriculum is divided into the following services. Learn more by jumping to the sections below:
- Blue: Head and neck oncology
- Maize: Facial plastics and reconstructive surgery, general otolaryngology, laryngology, rhinology, and skull base surgery
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Wolverine: laryngology and skull base surgery
- Consult: All adult consult
- Peds: Pediatric otolaryngology
- Otology: Otology-neurotology
- V.A.: Veteran's Administration Hospital
- Research: 6-month or 18-month research rotation
- Elective: Elective/selective
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 and neurosurgery. The remainder of the year is spent in the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.
- July-December: General surgery
- January: Blue (head and neck oncology)
- February: Oto skills month
- March-April: Pediatrics
- May: Wolverine (laryngology and skull base surgery)
- June: Maize (facial plastics and reconstructive surgery, general otolaryngology, laryngology, rhinology, and skull base 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, Adult Consult, Wolverine, Maize and Blue services. 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.
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 Adult Consults, Wolverine, 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 the acquisition and development 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 through communication with other clinicians and presenting during teaching rounds and conferences. PGY-2 residents take call with senior resident backup.
- Block 1: Blue (head and neck oncology)
- Block 2: Pediatric
- Block 3: Otology
- Block 4: Wolverine (laryngology and skull base surgery)
- Block 5: Adult consults
PGY-3 residents spend their time on the Endocrine, 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 in the spring. PGY-3 residents continue to take call with senior resident backup.
- Block 1: Blue (head and neck oncology)
- Block 2: V.A.
- Block 3: Maize (facial plastics and reconstructive surgery, general otolaryngology, laryngology, rhinology, and skull base surgery)
- Block 4: Wolverine (laryngology and skull base surgery)
- Block 5: Endocrine
PGY-4 residents spend time on the Peds and Otology services (and assume chief resident responsibilities during these months), as well as a Selective rotation and two rotations dedicated to research. During the Selective rotation, residents are able to focus on a special interest, research, and/or other learning opportunities of their choice. This is also a great time to take advantage of our standing clinical elective at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi, Ghana. Work completed during the research rotations is presented in the spring during the Charles J. Krause, MD Lectureship and submitted for publication.
- Block 1: Selective
- Block 2: Pediatrics
- Block 3: Otology
- Block 4: Research
- Block 5: Research
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, Wolverine, 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 ample 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.
- Block 1: Blue (head and neck oncology)
- Block 2: Maize (facial plastics and reconstructive surgery, general otolaryngology, laryngology, rhinology, and skull base surgery)
- Block 3: V.A.
- Block 4: Wolverine (laryngology and skull base surgery)
- Block 5: Adult consults
