Aug 22, 1997
Cleveland Clinic Foundation Program
Overview
Cleveland Clinic's Otolaryngology – Head and Neck SurgeryResidency Program presents an extensive training opportunity foraspiring otolaryngologists. This program is stationed within acomprehensive multidisciplinary institute offering a full spectrumof disorders related to ear, nose, and throat. With a historyshowcasing excellence in surgeries, complex case management, andpatient care, the program is designed for resident candidates whoare eager to elevate their surgical skills and innovate in thefield.
Curriculum Overview
The program's curriculum includes several key components:
1. Rotations
Residents engage in subspecialty-specific rotations. This focusallows for an in-depth understanding of various areas withinotolaryngology – head and neck surgery. Given that the training isprimarily conducted at one main hospital for inpatient care,residents experience a cohesive training atmosphere.
2. Didactics
Each week, educational sessions led by both faculty andresidents aim to foster an interactive learning environment. Thisincludes six cadaver dissection labs per year that help residentsgain hands-on experience and prepare them for surgical proceduresin the operating room, thereby shortening the learning curve.
3. Courses and Workshops
Specially designed courses and workshops enhance residentsurgical and procedural skills. Recent offerings have includedtraining in soft tissue handling, endoscopic sinus surgery,microvascular flaps, and injectables like Botox.
4. Research Opportunities
During the third year of training, residents are allocated threemonths dedicated to research, allowing them to formulate researchquestions based on their accrued clinical experiences. The programsupports residents' academic dissemination by financing travel toup to two meetings per year for accepted presentations.
Residency Environment
Cleveland Clinic hospital stands out for fostering collaborationacross multiple medical specialties, which creates an environmentrich in knowledge sharing among diverse healthcare professionals.This collaborative ethos contributes decisively to educational andresearch excellence, fostering superior patient outcomes.
Living in Cleveland
Cleveland, Ohio is acclaimed for its affordability and vibrantcultural scene. Residents enjoy living arrangements that vary fromdowntown apartments to homes in suburban neighborhoods near themain campus. With features such as the Rock and Roll Hall of Fameand extensive culinary experiences, Cleveland provides an enrichinglifestyle outside of residency training.
Visa Support
The program is committed to supporting international medicalgraduates and offers sponsorship for certain types of visas,including J-1 and H-1B visas. This support is essential tofacilitating a seamless transition for foreign medical graduateswishing to join the program.
Competitiveness and Application Requirements
The residency program is recognized for its competitive naturein the field of otolaryngology. It welcomes applications from bothM.D. and D.O. candidates, emphasizing that they value diverseeducational backgrounds. Applicants are generally expected to havegraduated from medical school within a certain timeframe, andspecific eligibility criteria exist regarding the number of failedstep exams.
This comprehensive residency training experience at ClevelandClinic is designed for those who seek to excel in a rigorous yetsupportive environment fostered by a commitment to patient safety,quality care, and shared knowledge among residents.
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SmartPick
Program data
ACGME History [3]
Program
Program Size
4, 4, 4, 4, 4 (5 years) [1]
Accreditation Status
Continued Accreditation
(Effective: January 30, 2026)
Composition [2]
Training
Fellowship Rate:89% [2]
Faculty-to-Residents Ratio:1.7X [1]
Residents Career Path [2]
Quality of Life
First Year Paid Sick Leave: 5 days [1]
First Year Paid Vacation: 15 days [1]
First Year Salary: $67,322 [1]
First Year Maximum Consecutive Hours on Duty: 16 hours [1]
First Year Average Weekly Hours: 80 hours [1]
Admission
USMLE Step 2 Score: 243–272 [2]
Visa Sponsorship:H1B, J1, F1 [2]
YOG Cutoff:1 [1]
Race / Ethnicity
Gender
Incoming Schools
15%
Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
10%
University of Massachusetts T.H. Chan School of Medicine
10%
Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine
5%
More than 1 school has this rank*
* Multiple schools share the same admissions rate.
Rotation Duration by Site
Benchmarks
Match & stats
2026 Residency Applicant & Interview Insights
Signals
Hometown State
Medical School State
Step 1 Fail
Step 2 Fail
Applicant Type
Note: The AIR (Applicant Interview Rate) is calculated as the percentage of applicants in each category who were offered interviews. A higher AIR suggests stronger alignment with program preferences, indicating a greater likelihood of the program favoring applicants in this category.
USMLE STEP 2 CK Score [2]
COMLEX Level 2 Score [2]
No data available for COMLEX
Level 2 Score
Match History [4]
Roster
Publications
24 Publications (5 yr)
Peer-reviewed output from faculty and residents, last 5 years
24 Publications (5 yr)
Spoken Language Outcomes After Early Cochlear Implantation in a Diverse, Multi-Institutional Cohort of Congenitally Deaf Children.
Effect of Penicillin Allergy Label on Antibiotic Treatment Outcomes in Adult Patients with Rhinosinusitis.
Location
Cleveland, OH [5]
- Above the national average
- Below the national average
- Similar to the national average
Housing — Rental prices [6]
Rental prices
Crime — All violent offences [7]
Rate per 100,000 residents
FAQ
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Nearby programs
Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Programs Near Cleveland, OH
Other specialties near Cleveland, OH
References
1. Freida - https://freida.ama-assn.org/program/2803822085
2. Residency Explorer - https://www.residencyexplorer.org/Program/GetByIdWithMedicalSpecialty/b77a73f9-800f-2e84-6722-7bfe16db6541
3. ACGME - Accreditation Data System (ADS) - https://apps.acgme.org/ads/Public/Programs/Search
4. NRMP Results and Data: 2022-2026 Main Residency Match - https://www.nrmp.org/match-data/2026/03/program-results-2022-2026/
5. United States Census Bureau - https://data.census.gov/profile/City,_VS?g=160XX00US3916000
6. Zillow Research - Observed Rent Index (ZORI) - https://www.zillow.com/research/data/
7. FBI - Crime/Law Enforcement Stats (Uniform Crime Reporting Program) - https://www.fbi.gov/services/cjis/ucr