Residency in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas is a fully accredited residency covering the entire field of Otolaryngology. Four residents are selected each year to join our program. Our program is a five-year program that requires each resident to spend one year in general surgery followed by four years of otolaryngology. During that first year, he/she will gain experience in the related fields of neurosurgery, thoracic surgery, plastic surgery, pediatric surgery, and trauma. Rotations during the first year include the general surgical services at Parkland Memorial Hospital and the Veterans' Administration Medical Center, the trauma services at Parkland Memorial Hospital, and surgical specialty services at Parkland Memorial Hospital and Children's Medical Center. Although there are certain services to which all Otolaryngology trainees are exposed in order to optimize the educational process, the individual needs of each resident are considered in order to create optimal training experience.
During the first year (R1) of Otolaryngology, the resident will advance from simple procedures such as tonsillectomy and laryngoscopy to other forms of endoscopy, maxillofacial trauma, nasal septoplasty and sinus surgery.
The second year (R2) of Otolaryngology, the resident will perform both minor and major sinus and head and neck trauma surgery. He/she will be expected to show proficiency in minor reconstructive and cosmetic procedures of the head and neck and basic microsurgery of the ear.
The R3 and R4 years build upon the surgical and clinical experiences of the first two years while facilitating experience in advanced microsurgery of the ear, neurotology, facial plastic surgery, major head and neck surgery, and advanced reconstructive techniques. After completion of the residency, it is usual for the graduating resident to have participated as the primary surgeon in greater than 2000 cases. The senior resident at each hospital serves as its Chief Resident and assumes responsibility of that service. Also during this period exposure to research is emphasized. Three months of the R3 year are reserved for electives, which may be dedicated to clinical or basic science research, further clinical elective training, or other academic endeavors as approved by the faculty.
Research activity is considered an important educational tool at this institution, and completion of a clinical or basic science research project suitable for publication is mandatory.
