The Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery at the University of Virginia has consistently been ranked by U.S. News & World Report as a top program compared to other medical institutions. We feel that a contributing factor to our ranking is our commitment to teaching. This commitment is evident in our strong residency program.

We encourage prospective resident applicants to take some time and review the following information about our department and residency program.

The Application and Interview Process

Thank you for your interest in the Otolaryngology Residency program at the University of Virginia. The Graduate Medical Education Residency in Otolaryngology at the University of Virginia is an ACGME accredited categorical Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery program.

Our program participates in the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) administered through the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). For details of the application process, please go to the ERAS website at https://www.aamc.org/students/medstudents/eras/ and follow the guidelines for application submission. As detailed on the ERAS website, the Department requires a completed NRMP application form, a Medical Student Performance Evaluation (formerly Dean's letter), school and USMLE transcripts, and reference letters as part of the application package. This information is reviewed as a whole by the Department. Although there is no prerequisite score or grade point average, that information will factor into the analysis of each application.

Remember, you must register both with ERAS and the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP) to participate in the Match. The Department only accepts applications through the ERAS program. The Department utilizes a rolling application process, wherein applicants are reviewed by the Department as they are received. As such, we encourage applicants to apply early.

The following is a general timeline for the application submission process at UVA and through ERAS. This schedule will be updated with more specific information in later summer/early fall:

The Housestaff Office at the University of Virginia is a reflection of the University of Virginia Health System's commitment to high quality Graduate Medical Education. The Housestaff Office administers compensation and benefits for all Residents & Fellows throughout the University. We encourage you to explore further information at the Univeristy of Virginia Housestaff Web Page.

For applicants invited for interviews, the date of your interview will also include a half day overview of the program and tours of the facilities by the current residents. The night before the interview date there will be an informal dinner gathering with the current and prospective residents at a local restaurant. We encourage prospective residents to utilize this opportunity to become more acquainted with the program, meet the current residents, and ask questions informally.

Otolaryngology Program Description

The Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery offers a five year accredited residency training program accepting three residents at each level and provides training in all aspects of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery. These include:

• General otolaryngology
• Head and neck surgery
• Rhinology/Allergy
• Facial plastic and reconstructive surgery
• Bronchoesophagology
• Otology
• Neurotology
• Pediatric otolaryngology
• Communicative disorders

Program Schedule

Didactics/Teaching

Weekly schedule

• Grand Rounds: Wednesday morning. Formal lectures by faculty, guest speakers, and residents on a variety of related topics.
• Otology Conference: Thursday afternoon. Discussions on topics such as otosclerosis, tinnitus, sensorineural hearing loss, and chronic ear disease.
• Head and Neck Tumor Board: Thursday afternoon. A multidisciplinary session where all new oncology patients are discussed and related topics reviewed.

Monthly schedule

• Morbidity and Mortality Conference
• Neuroradiology Film Conference
• Journal Club - Residents choose, present, and critique articles from Otolaryngology literature. Presenters are assessed by fellow residents on analytical and presentation skills.

Other Conferences

• Annual Fitz-Hugh Symposium, early June - Two-day seminar with four nationally "renown" guest speakers. This event includes the graduation ceremony for chief residents.
• Jahrsdoerfer Visiting Lectureship in Otology/Neurotology (biannual) -Residents spend the full day with the visiting professor in otology, including an evening dinner lecture.
• Plating/ Maxillofacial Trauma Workshop- a sponsored one-day workshop includes lectures on issues related to head and neck trauma, and a hands-on plating course (once per year).
• Nose Inside & Out Symposium- a 4 day event with four guest speakers on various topics relating to rhinoplasty and sinus surgery. A fresh cadaver lab provides outstanding learning opportunities for residents to practice rhinoplasty and sinus surgery skills.
• Audiology Conference - An all day program that introduces the residents to audiological services and basic testing.

Laboratory Facilities

• A state-of-the-art temporal bone and sinus surgery lab was opened in 2005, fully equipped with teaching stations, computer image guidance, and overhead monitors. This space is always available to residents to further develop technical skills in these areas

Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery at UVA

The Department's state of the art clinical facilities were constructed in 2003. The full range of services are delivered through the following divisions within the Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery:

• Head and Neck Surgical Oncology
• Otology/Neurotology
• Pediatric Otolaryngology
• Rhinology and Sinus Disease
• Facial Plastic and Reconstructive
• Audiology
• Speech-Language Pathology & Voice Clinic
• Vestibular and Balance Center
• Research Specialty Areas:
  • Neuroscience
  • Tumor Cell Biology

Clinical Divisions within Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery

Head and Neck Surgical Oncology

• The Division of Head and Neck Surgical Oncology has long been nationally recognized for all aspects of head and neck cancer treatment.
• It has received special recognition for work with superior nasal vault malignancies, sinus malignancies, and aggressive methods to spare the eye when treating sinonasal cancers,
• We receive special recognition of our management of esthesioneuroblastomas and craniofacial resections.
• Tumor biology research is currently being performed in conjunction with the Department of Internal Medicine and the Department of Hematology/Oncology, and a
• Departmental Molecular Biology Program is planned.

Otology/Neurotology

The Division is involved in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the temporal bone, related structures and the auditory system. Highlights of this division include:

• Internationally recognized expertise in congenital aural atresia;
• Removal of complex skull-based tumors;
• A successful cochlear implant program;
• A two-year otology/neurotology fellowship;
• Research on the vestibular system, brainstem evoked response audiometry, and mechanisms of tinnitus;
• Research on the utilization of BSER as a prognostic indicator by the Division of Communicative Disorders interacts with the head trauma service studying the utilization of BSER as a prognostic indicator.

Pediatric Otolaryngology

The Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology offers special expertise in pediatric airway disease, sinusitis, all types of pediatric otologic conditions, obstructive sleep apnea, and tumors (both benign and malignant) of the head and neck:

• Laryngology - laryngomalacia, subglottic hemangiomas, subglottic stenosis, vocal cord paralysis, laryngeal webs, laryngeal cysts, and recurrent respiratory papillomatosis; croup, stridor, chronic cough, hoarseness.
• Bronchoesophagology - gastroesophageal reflux, treatment of other breathing and swallowing disorders, and foreign body removal.
• Rhinology - medical and surgical management of allergic rhinitis, chronic and recurrent sinusitis.
• Otology/Neurotology - congenital and acquired hearing loss, cholesteatoma, tympanic membrane perforations, otosclerosis, congenital aural atresia, balance disorders, facial paralysis, and cochlear implantation.
• Communication Disorders: speech and language problems, velopharyngeal insufficiency.

Rhinology and Paranasal Sinus Disease

The Division of Rhinology is clinically active in serving patients with all degrees and various manifestations of rhinological disorders.

• Chronic sinusitis has the highest rate of incidence for chronic illnesses in the United States, and is a major activity within the department.
• Clinical and basic research in various aspects of sinus disease is ongoing.
• The service is recognized as offering expert care for patients from the immediate and surrounding areas, as well as distant geographic areas.
• The Division works very closely with the ophthalmology and neurosurgery departments to provide care to those patients with disorders that either affect or are accessible through the nose and paranasal sinuses

Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

This Division covers four aspects of facial plastic surgery:

• Facial cosmetic surgery (facelifts, rhinoplasty, laser resurfacing, etc..),
• Facial reconstruction (primarily following Mohs' surgery for cutaneous malignancies),
• Facial trauma (rotating on a weekly basis with plastic surgery),
• Congenital defects (primarily microtia, cleft lip, and cleft palate repair). provides facial reconstruction for Mohs micrographic surgery defects and maxillofacial trauma, and has an active cosmetic practice.

Audiology

This Division provides screening and comprehensive evaluation of hearing and hearing disorders, including:

• The study of the acoustic reflex and its alterations in neuromuscular diseases;
• Computerized audiologic testing;
• Neonatal and pediatric audiologic screenings, and
• Distribution and fitting of hearing aid devices.

Speech-Language Pathology & Voice Clinic

This Division provides a full range of diagnostic and treatment series, including speech retraining, voice therapy, and head and neck cancer therapy.

Vestibular and Balance Center

The Vestibular and Balance Center provides a clinical research setting for study of vestibular, oculomotor and postural disorders using on and off axis rotary chair, dynamic posturography, infrared oculography and computerized electronystagmography.

Research

Within the Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Department, there is a strong emphasis in development of research skills.

• An active Faculty Research Committee guides the facilitation of research activities and oversees the quality and effectiveness of the department research efforts.
• Funding is available for projects through departmental resources or numerous outside resources.
• Clinical or basic research is required and is an integral part of the training in Otolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery.
• Each resident is expected to document a significant clinical or basic research experience. By the fourth year, each resident should have achieved a goal of submitting one clinical paper, and one basic science paper, or, if constrained by time, preparing documentation that would have supported a formal paper.
• Departmental research by faculty and residents is ongoing in several areas. These ongoing projects are open to resident and medical student involvement.

Summary of past Resident/Fellow research:

In addition to mentorship provided by the department's own faculty, collaborative research has been carried out under a number of mentors, who include:

• Larry Borish, M.D., Department of Allergy & Clinical Immunology
• Jeff Corwin, PhD., Department of Neuroscience
• Roy Ogle, M.D., Center for Inflammation and Regeneration
• Michael J. Weber, M.D., Department of Microbiology
• Michael Williams, M.D., Department of Pathology

Further Information

• The University of Virginia Health System is one of the top 100 ranked health systems in the country. It has a long history of excellence in patient care and medical education.
• The University of Virginia was founded by Thomas Jefferson in 1819 and has a long history of academic excellence, as reflected in its current status as the #2 Public University in the nation, and its top 100 ranked Medical Center, there has been an interesting history for anyone interested in the school to peruse.
• The City of Charlottesville is a historic and beautiful location for one of the oldest most prestigious schools in the nation. The metropolitan area is approximately 100,000 people, and varied living accommodations are available, whether you want to live downtown or out in the country, new community or old. The job market for spouses offers many options, with the University being one of the largest employers.

If you have further questions you may contact the Residency Program Coordinator, Dee Anne Neitz by telephone, (434) 924-5584, or by e-mail.