Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center/Harvard Medical School Program

The BIDMC Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery offers a competitive residency program that equips trainees with both clinical and research skills essential for a successful career in otolaryngology. The program is designed to foster comprehensive experiences in various subspecialties, including head and neck surgical oncology, laryngology, rhinology, otology, neurotology, skull base surgery, facial plastic surgery, and pediatric otolaryngology. The inaugural class of residents began in June 2020, marking the program's commitment to excellence in otolaryngology education.

The residency program operates under the auspices of Harvard Medical School and involves two primary clinical training sites: BIDMC and Boston Children’s Hospital. This arrangement allows residents to gain experience across a spectrum of clinical environments, enhancing their ability to manage diverse patient populations effectively.

Curriculum and Rotations

The residency curriculum adheres to the guidelines provided by the American Academy of Otolaryngology, ensuring a structured educational framework. Clinical rotations are organized as follows:

• PGY-1: 6 months off-service (including SICU, anesthesia, vascular/thoracic surgery, neurosurgery, acute care surgery/trauma, and plastic surgery) and 6 months in otolaryngology.
• PGY-2: 3 months in otolaryngology outpatient, 3 months in head and neck surgery, 3 months in otology/general otolaryngology, and 3 months at Boston Children’s Hospital.
• PGY-3: 3 months in trauma/plastics, 3 months at Boston Children’s Hospital, 3 months of resident float at BIDMC, and 3 months dedicated to research.
• PGY-4: 3 months as a chief resident in head and neck surgery, 3 months as a chief resident in otology/general, 3 months of clinical electives, and 3 months for research.
• PGY-5: Focus on facial plastic surgery (administrative chief), head and neck surgery, otology/general, and BIDMC float duties.

This structured approach is complemented by dedicated educational time every Wednesday morning, which includes journal clubs, quality improvement conferences, lectures, and resident-led case presentations. Additional educational opportunities are available through quarterly grand rounds, weekly tumor boards, and interdisciplinary airway conferences 1.

Research Opportunities

The residency program emphasizes the importance of research, requiring residents to dedicate six months to research activities. Each resident will be paired with a research mentor to develop independent research projects. The FIRST program at BIDMC plays a crucial role in providing resources and support for residents, facilitating the navigation of Institutional Review Board (IRB) approvals and database development.

Ongoing research projects span a variety of areas including:

• Laryngology
• Otolytic damage and vestibular disorders within Neurotology
• Head and neck cancer outcomes research
• Plastic and reconstructive surgery studies
• Rhinology-related research

Residents are encouraged to present their findings at national and international conferences and publications in peer-reviewed journals are highly encouraged, with stipends available for meeting attendance 2.

Visa Support and Competitiveness

The residency program is known to be highly competitive, and it is welcoming towards both American medical graduates as well as DO and IMG candidates. The program supports visa sponsorship for international medical graduates, typically offering support for J-1 visas, allowing eligible candidates to pursue the residency training.

Application Requirements

Applicants are encouraged to thoroughly review the specific application requirements, which may include considerations such as the year of medical school graduation and permissible limits on failed STEP examinations. The selection process is managed through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) with deadlines for application materials stipulated in the program's guidelines, and interviews scheduled as part of the assessment process.

With a robust faculty and a commitment to fostering residents' academic growth, the residency program at BIDMC provides an exceptional platform for aspiring otolaryngologists to develop clinical expertise, engage in meaningful research, and contribute to the field of head and neck surgery.