Northwestern McGaw offers a five-year residency program leading to eligibility for certification by the American Board of Otolaryngology. The primary purpose of this program is to provide physicians with the scientific knowledge and clinical skills needed for the highly competent and caring practice of medicine and surgery in this specialty. Recognizing that a rapidly expanding information base is required for practicing high-quality medicine, this program aims to enable physicians to conduct effective, critical, and continuing self-assessment and education. Resident education takes place in a coordinated program designed to furnish a basic core of knowledge and an understanding of the discipline. Outpatient clinics, ward rounds, operating room exposure, and special seminars are the foundations for learning. Residents acquire competence in all aspects of modern otolaryngology—head and neck surgery and the communication skills necessary for the compassionate and effective care of patients from all walks of life. To accomplish these goals, residents have appropriately supervised experience in private, public, and children's hospitals. Supervision and teaching are provided to a degree that is commensurate with each resident's level of ability. Ample clinical opportunities are available, ensuring graded responsibility. Residents gain experience in clinical otolaryngology at Children's Memorial Hospital, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, and John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County. The preliminary surgical year is completed at the McGaw Medical Center. Residents complete a one month rotation, for a total of four months, in each of the following specialties: anesthesiology, emergency medicine, critical care, and neurosurgery. Residents also complete five months experience in a minimum of three of the following areas: general surgery, thoracic surgery, vascular surgery, plastic surgery, and surgical oncology. The specific rotations vary depending on each resident's background and clinical service needs. The remaining three months of experience are on the otolaryngology service.
A basic science course is placed strategically at the beginning of the program. This didactic and laboratory experience emphasizes head and neck anatomy as well as audiology, histopathology, immunology, physiology, and temporal bone dissection. Residents are involved in the education of medical students rotating within the department. Resident education takes place in a coordinated program to furnish them with a basic core of knowledge and understanding of the discipline. Outpatient clinics, ward rounds, operating room exposure, and special seminars are the foundations for their learning. Coordinated rounds with the entire resident staff are held weekly. Residents attend grand rounds at the medical center. A monthly otologic seminar, morbidity and mortality review, and journal club are held. Daily teaching rounds are scheduled at each of the participating hospitals. Clinics are conducted in facial plastic surgery, head and neck oncology, otology, and otoneurology. Visiting professors are invited to the department each year. The department occupies approximately 7,000 square feet of research space at the medical school and Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Northwestern faculty members guide residents in using these research facilities. Recent significant additions are a state-of-the-art voice research laboratory and laboratories devoted to basic and applied research in rhinology. There also exist research laboratories on campus for otologic research. Three appointments are made each year through ERAS, the electronic residency application service. The deadline for submitting an application is October 1. Robert C. Kern, MDProfessor of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery Alan G. Micco, MD
Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery For more information contact Residency Coordinator Jennifer Malloy, Department of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, 676 N. St. Clair, 13th Floor, Suite 1325, Chicago, Illinois 60611-3008, 312/659-3222; fax 312/695-3194 or visit the Department of Otolaryngology Web site.
E-mail: oto-hns@northwestern.edu | 
