The Western Reserve Hospital Residency Program in Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery is accredited by the ACGME and conforms to its requirements. The program is designed to provide the basic requirements for certification in Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery. The Western Reserve Hospital administration, Graduate Medical Education Department, and ENT faculty are committed to providing the necessary training and resources in the development of competent specialists in general otolaryngology and head and neck surgery.
Mission And Vision
The mission of the Western Reserve Hospital ENT residency program is to produce highly-trained and compassionate otolaryngology physicians to build a strong otolaryngology community. The vision is to develop highly-qualified community-based otolaryngology physicians.
General Program
Through innovative design, faculty commitment, and utilizing the best Northeast Ohio resources, Western Reserve Hospital ENT residents develop efficient, comprehensive, diagnostic and clinical reasoning skills in a progressive fashion during their 5 years of training. Beginning with a surgical skills boot camp in the first week of residency, our ENT residents are taught to develop an understanding and correlation of laboratory procedures, radiological tests, pathological specimens, and nuclear departments. The program teaches the understanding of deviations from normal physiology in all phases of bodily function and body chemistry, including the application of osteopathic manipulative therapy in the practice of otorhinolaryngology.
Through early intra-operative participation, the first years of the Western Reserve Hospital ENT program emphasize the study of anatomy, pathology (both gross and microscopic), physiology and physiological functions, and basic surgical techniques. This is accomplished through text, electronic, bedside, and simulation training. Procedures and skills, such as central lines, intubation, arterial lines, and chest tubes, are evaluated through videotaped human patient simulator labs until competence is evident. Each resident is then given the privilege to perform these procedures in the clinical setting. A new temporal bone laboratory is provided for resident proficiency in these procedures.
In the later years, exposure is gained in the office and operative suite as each resident progresses individually. Including a nationally renowned basic sciences course in the 3rd year, the ENT Residency Program offers the opportunity to work with national leaders in Neurotology/Otology, Head and Neck Oncology/Reconstruction Surgery, and Temporal Bone Courses. Subspecialty rotations in pediatrics, office ENT, and orofacial plastic surgery compliment a strong in-house surgical experience. Each resident is required to participate in the annual In-Service Examination, as well as the Home Study Course. Instruction in the use of CO2 as well as KTP/Yag Lasers is done during the third year of training. As resident competency is demonstrated, increased exposure and responsibility is given in both the operating room and patient care, until the final year, where the ENT chief resident is expected to further hone and develop his/her skills for future private practice.
The Western Reserve Hospital ENT program is also proud to operate an outpatient resident clinic. The clinic, located just minutes from the main hospital, provides a valuable opportunity for residents to become comfortable seeing patients on their own, under the supervision of several attending physicians. At the clinic, residents provide complete care, from initial visits to post-operative appointments and follow-up. Residents learn coding and perform in-office procedures. Upon graduation, residents will feel comfortable running a busy outpatient clinic independently.
The Western Reserve Hospital ENT Overall Residency Program Goals and Objectives can be reviewed here.