The Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery residency program at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital consists of a five-year program of training that graduates 3 residents per year. The program consists of one year of general surgery under the Department of Surgery at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital and four years of otolaryngology training at MedStar Georgetown and affiliated institutions. As the sponsoring institution, MedStar Georgetown faculty bear primary responsibility for the administration of the program.
The residency in Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at MedStar Georgetown selects high quality residents for a clinically rich and diverse training experience. In general, the PGY-2 year stresses the development of basic otolaryngologic skills in pediatric and adult patients with a concentration on procedures in general otolaryngology and endoscopy.
During the PGY-3 year, the resident develops proficiency in more advanced general otolaryngology and endoscopy (such as endoscopic sinus surgery and microlaryngoscopy) as well as head and neck surgery, facial plastics and research. The PGY-4 year gives concentrated training in otology and facial plastic surgery. The PGY-5 year provides the experience in managing an inpatient service with clinical emphasis in head and neck surgery.
PGY-2
The program dedicates the PGY-2 year to the mastery of adult and pediatric clinical patients with surgical experience gained in general otolaryngologic and endoscopic procedures through rotations at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital (6 months), MedStar Washington Hospital Center (4 months) and Children’s National Medical Center (2 months). Basic science and didactic teachings are provided through the basic science lecture series and Grand Rounds Lectures. The COCLIA Conference and other conferences ensure that each resident is reading and understanding appropriate material.
Resident participation in Grand Rounds, Morbidity and Mortality, Otology Conference, Journal Club, Pre-Operative Conference, along with informal faculty-resident discussions in clinic and the operating room provides opportunities for resident progression to be assessed. All surgical experience is obtained with direct faculty supervision and participation. An intramural temporal bone dissection course is designed specifically for the PGY-2 residents. An extramural course in endoscopic sinus surgery is provided to all PGY-2 residents.
PGY-3
The PGY-3 year provides a diverse educational experience. Using the basic knowledge and clinical experience gained in the PGY-2 year, residents gain exposure to more complex otolaryngologic diseases and procedures at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital (4 months) and Veterans Affairs Medical Center (4 months), and they perform an independent research project (4 months). Two of the months at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital are spent on a facial plastic surgery rotation. The two months spent on the Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery Service at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital provide advancement in clinical participation with an increase in complexity of cases in general otolaryngology, endoscopy and head and neck surgery.
The two months on the Plastic Surgery service with Dr. Steven Davison provide a focused clinical experience in facial plastic surgery. The four months at Veterans Affairs Medical Center allow increased independent patient evaluation and management in clinic as well as increased independence in the operating room, with both senior resident and attending supervision. The research rotation may be pursued at one of several laboratory or clinical settings in the area. These may include MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, MedStar Washington Hospital Center, Lombardi Cancer Center, and the National Institutes of Health. One extramural course is provided during the PGY-3 year, which is the temporal bone dissection course at the Michigan Ear Institute.
PGY-4
The PGY-4 year expands the resident’s clinical exposure to specific areas of otolaryngology. An enriched and concentrated otology experience is provided by the four month rotation at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital as the Otology Resident and by a rotation at the MedStar Washington Hospital Center (4 months ½ time otology). Additional time is also set aside for facial plastics exposure during this year (4 months ½ time facial plastics).
The Otolaryngology Service rotation at the MedStar Washington Hospital Center (4 months) provides advanced clinical responsibilities with emphasis on rhinology, laryngology, head and neck surgery, and facial trauma. PGY-4 and PGY-5 residents participate in all educational conferences and are expected to show leadership and teaching skills with junior residents and medical students.
PGY-5
The PGY-5 year provides an opportunity for residents to begin to work independently, particularly at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center. The PGY-5 resident will serve as chief resident at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital (4 months), MedStar Washington Hospital Center (4 months), and the Veterans Affairs Medical Center (4 months).
Emphasis in this year of the program focuses on head and neck surgical oncology, endocrine surgery of the head and neck and additional experience in otology, facial plastic surgery and complex pediatric otolaryngology. PGY-5 residents participate in all educational conferences and are expected to show leadership and teaching skills with junior residents and medical students.
