Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Residency Program

Thank you for your interest in our program! We are excited to show you the advantages of Oklahoma State University’s Otolaryngology Residency Program and how to become a future resident.

Oklahoma State University Medical Center (OSUMC), in association with the Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences (OSU-CHS), is the base site for a five-year residency in Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery (ENT/HNS). Our residency has a linked intern year that is hosted at Oklahoma State University Medical Center and meets the internship requirements with six months of Otolaryngology service and six months of Medical and General Surgery. OSUMC is currently funded for a total 5 ENT/FPS residency spots, which allows us to bring on board one new resident per year.

Our patient population is widely diverse. Many patients are underserved and have an undiagnosed and extensive medical history. From day one, you will be assigned to cases involving the most complex comorbidities, thrown into the fire so to speak. As you participate in out rotations, you will recognize the advantage of this as physicians regularly provide feedback that our residents are among the most prepared for clinical practice they have worked with.

Our core residency trainers are osteopathic and allopathic surgeons who practice full spectrum otolaryngology and are motivated to train residents. Residents receive graduated responsibility in surgical cases and are primary surgeons on cases as their skills advance. Residents regularly participate in ablative and reconstructive Head and Neck oncologic procedures, including free-flap reconstruction, within our community.

Please explore our website and contact us with any questions you may have. Should you wish to rotate with us, we encourage you to reach out to us.

Sincerely, 

Tom Hamilton, D.O.

Oklahoma State University Medical Center (OSUMC), in association with the Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences (OSU-CHS), is the base site for a five-year residency in Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery (ENT/HNS). Our residency has a linked intern year that is hosted at Oklahoma State University Medical Center and meets the internship requirements with six months of Otolaryngology service and six months of Medical and General Surgery. OSUMC is currently funded for a total 5 ENT/FPS residency spots, which allows us to bring on board one new resident per year.

The program has recently been awarded ACGME accreditation.

Our Otolaryngology residency is a union between academic and community based education models. OCUMC’s close proximity to the Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine and the Center for Health Sciences afford our residents opportunities to participate in multidisciplinary patient care and interaction with other resident driven service lines Academic activities, such as Grand Rounds, are a regular part of our curriculum. Otolaryngology=specific Didactic learning occurs in weekly sessions along with monthly Journal Club and Mortality & Morbidity (M&M) conferences. Academic didactic learning is an important part of our program and hands on didactic learning is equally important.

Each year our residents are allocated multiple temporal bone specimens for use at a dedicated Temporal Bone Dissection Lab at OSUMC. To encourage hands-on didactics, annual teaching labs are provided to the residents by Stryker (saw bone and plating lab) and Cochlear (cochlear implant) companies. It is also a requirement that our residents attend an annual educational course that builds on and supplements their knowledge base. In the past, the courses attended include the:  Indiana and Iowa basic science/head and neck courses, rhinology courses, laryngology/laser courses, and the AO trauma and reconstructive courses.

Hands-on clinical and surgical experience are the foundation of resident training. Our residents work on a regular basis with several physicians in the Tulsa area. Our core residency trainers are osteopathic and allopathic surgeons who practice full spectrum otolaryngology and are motivated to train residents. Residents receive graduated responsibility in surgical cases and are primary surgeons on cases as their skills advance. Residents regularly participate in ablative and reconstructive Head and Neck oncologic procedures, including free-flap reconstruction, within our community. Local hospitals where residents perform surgical cases include: OSUMC, Hillcrest Hospital System, St. John Health System, and Tulsa Spine and Surgical Hospital. This affords our residents a broad experience in management of a wide variety of acute and chronic ENT pathology. During the 4th year, we have 2 months dedicated to the ENT residents  operate with a well-published and eager to teach pediatric otolaryngologist with hands-on exposure to pediatric airway procedures such as: supraglottoplasty, tracheal reconstruction, vascular malformations, and craniofacial procedures.

In addition to training available within our community, supplemental “out rotations” are also available. Our residents rotate at the Pediatric ENT of Oklahoma during their PGY4 year. This provides exposure to a broad spectrum of otologic procedures including:  stapedectomy, cochlear implants, and acoustic neuromas. Also, pediatric cases which include: cleft palate, airway, etc. In Tulsa, “out” rotation time is also spent with Dr. Cuzalina of Tulsa Surgical Arts. Time is allowed for a senior resident to do elective rotations if they choose.

The call schedule is graduated among all the residents and is taken from home. Residents are responsible for ER coverage and floor consultations under the guidance of overseeing physicians that cover three of Tulsa’s four major hospitals (OSUMC, Hillcrest Hospitals, St. John Medical Center).

In addition to a salary, full healthcare benefits are offered to the resident and their family at no additional cost. All of the major facilities that our residents work at supply food at no cost while on duty. OSU Graduate Medical Education provides up to $1000 (PGY2, PGY3, PGY4) and $1500 (PGY5) annual stipends for conferences and travel. Additional grants provide one surgical textbook annually to all of the residents.

Applications Information

Program Length: 5 years

Available Positions: 1