UPMC Medical Education (Erie) Program

The Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery Residency Program at UPMC Hamot is a comprehensive five-year ACGME-accredited program designed to prepare physicians for autonomous practice or entry into a subspecialty fellowship. This well-structured residency program offers extensive clinical training, exposure to a wide range of patients, and numerous surgical opportunities, making it a significant choice for aspiring otolaryngologists.

UPMC Hamot serves as the only Level II Trauma Center in the Erie area, and its otolaryngology service oversees all otolaryngologic care for the city and surrounding regions. This key role provides residents with the chance to engage with a diverse patient population and manage varied pathologies. Typically, residents log over 3,000 cases by the conclusion of their training.

Training Environment

The program is located at UPMC Hamot and integrates training across multiple facilities, including local hospitals and outpatient surgical centers. Residents benefit from high surgical volume, hands-on experience, and a supportive teaching environment with a favorable resident-to-faculty ratio. The emphasis on one-on-one learning ensures that residents receive personalized instruction and mentoring throughout their training.1

Curriculum Details

The residency curriculum is structured to provide a progressive experience through the years, beginning from the first year (PGY1) where residents spend six months on the otolaryngology service. Following are the types of rotations:

• PGY1: 6 months ENT, 2 months General Surgery, 1 month ICU, and 1 month each of Plastic Surgery, Anesthesia, and Neurosurgery.
• PGY2: 9 months ENT, 2 months Plastic Surgery, and 1 month Research.
• PGY3: Same as PGY2.
• PGY4: 11 months of ENT and includes one month of Research and an optional elective.
• PGY5: 9 months in ENT and 3 months in Otology.

This structured curriculum supports the development of resident autonomy and surgical proficiency as they progress through the program.2

Research and Didactic Opportunities

Residents are encouraged to engage in research activities, and the program offers a variety of didactic experiences including grand rounds, morbidity and mortality conferences, and more. This promotes a culture of learning and continuous improvement. The practical training is complemented by sessions on coding, billing, and office management at the outpatient physician office, ENT Specialists of Northwest PA, which sees over 33,000 patient visits and performs around 7,000 in-office surgical procedures annually.1

Benefits and Support

In terms of support, UPMC Hamot provides a comprehensive benefits package to its residents including medical and dental insurance, 20 days of paid time off (PTO) per year, moving expense reimbursement, life insurance, and retirement plans. The work environment at UPMC Hamot also fosters diversity and inclusion, encouraging candidates from all backgrounds to apply to the program.3

Application Process

To be eligible for the program, applicants must graduate from an accredited medical school, and international graduates must have a valid ECFMG certificate or have completed the 5th Pathway Program. The program accepts only one resident each year, making it highly competitive. The application process includes submitting the ERAS common application form, transcripts, personal statement, and recommendation letters. Interviews are conducted in December and January, following the completion of applications.4

Visa Support

UPMC Hamot participates in visa sponsorship for international medical graduates. The program typically supports J-1 visa sponsorship, allowing qualified residents to secure their residency training position in the U.S.2

Testimonials from Residents

Current and past residents emphasize the program's commitment to surgical training and supportive environment. They highlight the volume of cases, the variety of pathologies encountered, and the close-knit atmosphere among residents and faculty. Such experiences contribute to the well-rounded education that UPMC Hamot aims to provide its residents.5