Otolaryngology Applicant Information

Residency Applications

Tulane's Residency Program in Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery is participating in the AAMC Match for this year. Interviews will take place in Houston, Texas beginning in November 2005 and continuing into January 2006.

All applications must be processed through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) at www.aamc.org/students/eras/start.htm. Our application deadline has been extended; we will accept applications until December 1, 2005.

If you have any questions regarding our residency program, please email our residency program coordinator, Shanna Becknel, at sbeckne@tulane.edu.

Department Contact Information

Tulane University School of Medicine
Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
1555 Poydras Street
New Orleans, LA 70112

Ronald G. Amedee, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Harold G. Tabb Professor and Chair
ramedee@tulane.edu

Vision Statement

Our vision is to be a model for a highly successful organization, committed to superior patient care, resident/student education, and innovation in research. We seek to be the premier local and regional provider of otolaryngologic and audiologic services; to set standards of excellence in clinic outcomes, education and research; and to exceed the expectations of our patients and customers, residents and students, institutional faculty and staff.

Program Description

The Tulane Affiliated Residency Program in Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery is currently a fully accredited five-year program consisting of one year of structured general surgery and four years of otolaryngology - head and neck surgery. The program is based at Tulane University Hospital (TMC) and includes rotations at the Medical Center of Louisiana (Charity Hospital), Ochsner Foundation Hospital, and the Veterans Administration Hospital in Biloxi, Mississippi (VAB).

All appointments must be processed through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) at www.aamc.org/students/eras/start.htm. Our deadline for receiving applications is November 1, 2005.

All otolaryngology programs (effective July 1, 2005) will take responsibility for the PGY I year of training. Various new rotational requirements will be expected for all residents entering training in 2005. However, in an attempt to fully implement these requirements we began this structured year of general surgery last year (July 2004). There were initially some "bumps in the road," but by year's end all trainees received the newly required rotations.

Resident Responsibilities

PGY IIs - rotate for four months at Ochsner Hospital, four months at TMC and four months at Charity Hospital.
PGY IIIs - rotate for four months at TMC, four months at the VAB and four months of research.
PGY IVs - rotate for four months at Charity Hospital, four months at the VAB and four months at OFH.
PGY Vs - rotate for six months at Charity Hospital, three months at TMC and three months at OFH.

Residents participate in the outpatient clinics at these facilities where a total of 35,000 patients are examined and treated annually. More than 4,000 inpatients are cared for annually by the Tulane Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Service providing an outstanding opportunity for clinical training. Each resident is given graduated responsibility in the overall management of patients depending on his/her level and ability, culminating in the last year in which as a chief resident, he/she has the responsibility (under the supervision of the staff) for running the services at one of the affiliated hospitals.

In summary, residents currently spend 44 months on full-time clinical otolaryngology-head and neck surgery rotations. In addition, they are required to spend four months on a dedicated full-time research rotation. The new 80 hour resident workweek is monitored and enforced on a on-going basis throughout the year. Educational, evaluation, and promotion criteria center around acquiring proficiency in the six core competencies: patient care, medical knowledge, practice-base learning/improvement, interpersonal/communication skills, professionalism, and systems-based practice.

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Surgical Experience

First-Year Residents are expected to perform the following surgical procedures:

Excision of nasal polyps
Septoplasty
Nasal antral windows
Caldwell Luc Direct laryngoscopy
Rigid bronchoscopy
Esophagoscopy
Excision of submaxillary glands
Myringotomy with placement of ventilation tubes
Tracheostomy
Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy
Excision of a neck node

Second-Year Residents are expected to perform:

An uncomplicated male septorhinoplasty
An ENT approach to hypophysectomy
Laser excision of upper airway growths
Cricopharyngeal myotomy
Open reduction and fixation of malar fractures
Treatment of Le Fort II and III fractures
Exploratory tympanotomy
Radical neck dissection
Wide field laryngectomy
Excision of thyroglossal duct cyst
Surgery for snoring and sleep apnea including uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) and somnoplasty

Third-Year Residents are expected to perform:

Complicated male septorhinoplasty
Frontal sinus obliteration with an osteoplastic flap
An orbital decompression Mastoidectomy
Complicated tympanoplasty with ossiculoplasty
Endocrine surgery to include thyroidectomy and parathyroidectomy
Vertical hemilaryngectomy
Supraglottic laryngectomy
Composite resection for tonsillar or base of tongue tumor
Myocutaneous pectoralis major flap
Trapezius myocutaneous flap
Modified radical neck dissection
Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS)

Fourth-Year Residents are expected to perform:

All female septorhinoplasties
Facial cosmetic surgeries to include blepharoplasty, face lift, etc.
Operations on a congenially malformed ear with congenital atresia of the external auditory canal
Stapedectomy
Facial nerve repair and decompression
Labyrinthectomy
Assist in neuro-otological procedures, such as acoustic neurectomy and cochlear implantation
Vocal fold augmentation surgery including gelfoam or Teflon paste injection, and silastic or hydroxyappetite implants
A major resection of multiple portions of the upper aero-digestive tract with complicated reconstruction
Maxillectomy
Assist in skull base resection, combined approach with neurosurgery.

Tulane residents at the Medical Center of Louisiana at New Orleans (Charity).

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Resident Research

One block of time (four months) is reserved for full-time research during the second year (PGY-III) of residency in the Otolaryngology Department. The residents are expected to carry out an independent research project as part of their training. This may consist of clinical research or collaborative basic research, either in this department or in other departments (e.g., the Plastic Surgery Section of the Department of Surgery).

Useful information for resident research.

Faculty Research

Histopathology of human and animal temporal bones (Dr. Amedee)
Clinical audiology (John Risey and Burt Walters)
Neurochemistry of central auditory pathways (Dr. Garcia)
Molecular neurobiology of sensory hair cells of the auditory and vesitubular systems (Drs. Garcia and Harlan)
Voice and dysphagia (Dr. Wisdom)
Voice and dysphagia (Dr. Wisdom)
Head and Neck Cancer (Drs. Amedee, Wisdom and Moore)
- Mechanisms of tumor invasion and metastasis
- Advanced well-differentiated thyroid cancer
- Malignant melanoma
PALM project - Practical Application for Lasers in Medicine (Dr. Gonzales)

Meredith Mason Garcia, Ph.D.

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Conferences

The Tulane University Department of Otolaryngology prides itself on a rich didactic experience. The faculty are dedicated to teaching residents in a formal learning environment. A multi-disciplinary approach is emphasized, with input from Radiology, Plastic Surgery and Pathology staff. All conferences are held on Thursday afternoon between 3 and 7 pm. Attendance is mandatory for all in-town residents. Live video teleconferencing is currently being set up to offer these educational opportunities to our residents and faculty at the VA in Biloxi, MS. A sampling of these conferences include:

Audiology and Temporal Bone Conferences- Lectures about the anatomy and physiology of the ear as well as the evaluation of otologic function. The residents also receive hands-on experience in performing complete audiograms.

Case Conference - A presentation of unusual or educationally valuable cases with discussion by the faculty and residents. Faculty from the departments of pathology and radiology participate in the conference. Also included in the conference is a death and complication analysis.

Current Literature Conference - A faculty directed discussion of selected articles from otolaryngology and other medical journals with special quarterly emphasis on the Home Study Course.

Grand Rounds - A case presentation followed by an in depth lecture about the patient's disease process. Discussion by the residents and faculty make this one of our more interesting conferences.

Patient Safety Conference - A review of the elective surgical cases planned at each institution, including detailed analysis of the preoperative indications, alternatives to surgery, and possible problems to be anticipated at the time of surgery. Complications and/or deaths at each institution are next discussed with critical review of events leading to these consequences and possible methods of prevention. A Healthcare Matrix is utilized to teach the ACGME mandated core competancies.

Research Conference - The faculty and residents present ongoing departmental research projects.

Speech and Language - The speech pathologists present lectures and representative case material familiarizing residents with both diagnostic and rehabilitative methods for patients with speech and swallowing pathologies.

2005 Conference Schedule
	3–4 pm	4–5 pm	5–6 pm

JANUARY
6	Grand Rounds Lily Love	Business of Medicine: Sexual Harassment in the Workplace Stephanie Alweiss, J.D.	Patient Safety Conference
13	CONFERENCE CANCELLED-Southern Section Meeting
20	Grand Rounds Sammy Sohi	Case Conference	Patient Safety Conference
27	Grand Rounds Don Gonzales	Clinical Core Curriculum: Diseases of the Ear Ronald G. Amedee, MD	Patient Safety Conference
FEBRUARY
3	Grand Rounds Kimsey Rodriguez	Case Conference	Patient Safety Conference
10	Grand Rounds Tim Schneider	Research Project Presentations Barnett/Vilela/Lindberg	Patient Safety Conference
17	Grand Rounds Ron Vilela	Case Conference	Patient Safety Conference
24	Grand Rounds Katie Wasylik	Basic Science Curriculum: Temporal Bone Histopathology Ronald G. Amedee, MD	Patient Safety Conference
MARCH
3	CONFERENCE CANCELLED-Inservice Exam
10	Grand Rounds Anne Long	Case Conference	Patient Safety Conference
17	Grand Rounds Rich Barnett	Business of Medicine: Planning your Entry Into Medical Practice Ronald G. Amedee, MD	Patient Safety Conference
24	Grand Rounds Chris Gaffga	Case Conference	Patient Safety Conference
31	Grand Rounds Eddie Khoury	Business of Medicine: Clinical Practice Guide Ronald G. Amedee, MD	Patient Safety Conference
APRIL
7	Grand Rounds Paige Lindberg	Case Conference	Patient Safety Conference
14	Grand Rounds Arman Abdalkhani	Clinical Core Curriculum: Evaluation of Speech/ Swallowing Disorders Speech Pathologists Pam and Paula	Patient Safety Conference
21	Grand Rounds Lily Love	Case Conference	Patient Safety Conference
28	Grand Rounds Sammy Sohi	Clinical Core Curriculum: TBA Bobby Nossman, MD	Patient Safety Conference
MAY
5	Business of Medicine “Risk Management Issues” Ronald G. Amedee, MD	Case Conference	Patient Safety Conference
12	CONFERENCE CANCELLED-COSM Meeting
19	Business of Medicine “The Regulatory Environment” Ronald G. Amedee, MD	Case Conference	Patient Safety Conference
26	Grand Rounds Anne Long	Update on Contemporary Issues in Skull Base Surgery Miguel Melgar, MD, PhD	Patient Safety Conference
JUNE
2	Grand Rounds Rich Barnett	Case Conference	Patient Safety Conference
9	Annual Program Evaluation Faculty, Staff, Residents		Patient Safety Conference

JULY
7	Audiologic Assessment Part I		Patient Safety Conference
14	Audiologic Assessment Part II		Patient Safety Conference
21	Departmental Research Overview Meredith M. Garcia, PhD	Research Project Presentations Lindberg/Abdalkhani, Love	Patient Safety Conference
28	Safer Presentation Ronald G. Amedee, MD	Clinical Science Core Curriculum: Management of Aggressive Cutaneous Malignancy Brian A. Moore, MD	Patient Safety Conference
AUGUST
4	Vestibular Assessment Part I		Patient Safety Conference
11	Vestibular Assessment Part II		Patient Safety Conference
18	Laser Safety Course		Patient Safety Conference
25	Clinical Core Curriculum: Coblation Tonsilectomy vs. Laser Tonsillectomy Postop Pain N. Knight Worley, MD	Clinical Science Core Curriculum: Rhinosinusitis: Update 2005 Ronald Amedee, MD	Patient Safety Conference
SEPTEMBER
1	Hearing Aid Course		Patient Safety Conference
8	Grand Rounds Anne Long, MD	Large Group Presentations that Work for Teaching in a Clinical Setting Ronald Markert, PhD	Patient Safety Conference
15	Grand Rounds Kathleen Wasylik, MD	Case Conference	Patient Safety Conference
22	CONFERENCE CANCELLED AAO-HNS MEETING LOS ANGELES, CA
29	Grand Rounds Paige Lindberg, MD	Case Conference	Patient Safety Conference
OCTOBER
6	Grand Rounds Ronald Vilela, MD	Clinical Science Core Curriculum: TBA Thomas Gonsoulin, MD	Patient Safety Conference
13	Grand Rounds Arman Abdalkhani , MD	Case Conference	Patient Safety Conference
20	Grand Rounds Lily Love, MD	Clinical Science Core Curriculum: TBA Gregory S. Wisdom, MD	Patient Safety Conference
27	Grand Rounds Jonathan Ida, MD	Case Conference	Patient Safety Conference
NOVEMBER
3	Grand Rounds Richard Barnett	Research Project Presentations Abdalkhani/Love/Sohi	Patient Safety Conference
10	Grand Rounds Sameet Sohi , MD	Case Conference	Patient Safety Conference
17	Grand Rounds Karen Miller, MD	Clinical Science Core Curriculum: TBA Thomas Moulthrop, MD	Patient Safety Conference
24	CONFERENCE CANCELLED-THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY
DECEMBER
1	Grand Rounds Jodi Zuckerman, MD	Case Conference	Patient Safety Conference
8	Grand Rounds Christopher Gaffga, MD	Clinical Science Core Curriculum: Head and Neck Manifestations of Child Abuse L. Nicole Murray , MD	Patient Safety Conference
15	Grand Rounds Anne Long, MD	Case Conference	Patient Safety Conference
22	CONFERENCE CANCELLED-CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY
29	CONFERENCE CANCELLED-NEW YEAR'S HOLIDAY

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Mini-Courses

A Basic Science and Clinical Science Course is held in the fall with lectures on topics as they relate to otolaryngology. These lectures are given by members of the medical school faculty.

A Head and Neck Anatomy Course is held in the spring where clinically oriented cadaver dissections are performed.

A one week comprehensive Temporal Bone Drilling Course is held in the fall as well, for each resident level. Tulane has its own temporal bone lab which is available to all residents 24 hours a day.

Special courses in Basic Audiology, ENG, ABR and Hearing Aid Fittings are held at various times throughout the year.

Tulane residents partake in the Home Study Course provided by the Academy. The Home Study Course is a two year program of selected readings with self-assessment examinations, designed especially for the practitioner and resident in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery. The course consists of eight sections, four of which are covered each year. This course is provided free of charge to all residents.

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Senior Medical Student Elective

Fourth year medical students rotate one week at the Ochsner
Foundation, one week at Tulane University Hospital, and two weeks at Charity Hospital. This elective is offered early in the fourth year and is designed for students interested in a career in the specialty. Although it is not required, applicants who are considering Tulane for a residency spot are encouraged to rotate with us. Another senior elective is given from January to June each year and is designed for individuals persuing a career in primary care. Please contact the Department of Otolaryngology for more information: (504) 588-5453 or FAX (504) 582-7846.

We suggest all senior students rotating on our service complete AAO-HNS's Clinical Otolaryngology OnLine (COOL) modules. COOL modules are interactive case studies in which the learner is presented with a medical scenario and guided through the evaluation and treatment options based on established medical practice.

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