Medical Education

First Year (PGY-1)
The intern year is divided into 6 months rotating on the ENT service and 6 months on off-service rotations including Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Neurosurgery, Plastic Surgery, General Surgery, SICU, and Vascular Surgery. 4 months are spent on the Pediatric ENT service and 2 months on the Head and Neck Service. It is during this year that one makes the transition from medical student to resident, hones foundational clinical skills, and begins his or her surgical training. We pride ourselves in early surgical autonomy, with interns expected to complete over 200 cases as the primary surgeon during their pediatric rotation. The off-service rotations were specifically chosen and modified based on resident feedback over the years to maximize learning information relevant to our field. In addition, it is during the off-service rotations that many of the foundational surgical skills and principles are honed.

Second Year (PGY-2)
During the first full year of Otolaryngology training, we emphasize the development of a high level of diagnostic skills and early exposure to advanced operative techniques. The second year resident again rotates on the Pediatric ENT service for 4 months, but during that time the PGY-2 functions as the chief of the rotation. For the rest of the PGY-2 year, the resident spends four months on both the TDC Service and the Head and Neck Service (A-Team). During this time, the second year resident works under the direct supervision of a senior resident. Emphasis is placed on outpatient diagnostic and therapeutic skills, preoperative evaluation, assistance with more complex otolaryngologic surgical procedures, audiology and speech pathology, and mastering minor surgical procedures. The second year resident also begins to develop a research plan to be executed during the third year.

Third Year (PGY-3)
During this year, there is a 4-month research rotation during which the resident participates in an independent scientific project under the direction of faculty. This rotation is fully supported financially and logistically by the department's research resources. The rest of the year consists of two months with the Head and Neck service, two months on the Otology service (D-Team), and five months on our Houston rotations: 2 months at MD Anderson, one of the country’s leading cancer hospitals, 2 months at Houston Methodist, and 1 month with world-renowned facial plastic surgeon Dr. Russell Kridel. It is during this year that the resident drastically increases his or her surgical mastery, with a heavy emphasis on operating and diverse exposure to several ENT subspecialties

Fourth Year (PGY-4)
The fourth year of the residency program begins the phase of training which is comparable to the senior resident year in most otolaryngology programs. This is the year with the heaviest concentration of surgical activities. It is during this year that the resident again rotates through the MD Anderson Cancer Center and Houston Methodist Hospital in the Houston Medical Center. Four months are spent as the chief of the TDC service, which offers a high level of surgical autonomy, as the resident will run their own clinic, book their own cases, and be responsible for all aspects of surgical and postsurgical care under the supervision of faculty. It is our goal that by the time the resident completes this year of training, he or she should be thoroughly grounded in all aspects of otolaryngology and capable of functioning independently as a general otolaryngologist.

Fifth Year (PGY-5)
This year completes the final portion of the senior resident experience and is designed to permit the resident some flexibility to pursue areas of special interest. We feel that this year often eliminates the need for a post-residency fellowship and permits the graduating resident to enter either an academic environment or a private practice situation with the necessary preparation to function at a high level of expertise. Residents rotate on 3 different services and function as the chief, with responsibilities for patient care and teaching. The residents in this year will share the responsibility for the coordination of teaching conferences and the selection of some topics to be discussed.

The University of Texas Medical Branch
UTMB is the oldest medical training facility in Texas. It was established in 1881 by a vote of the people of Texas and has a long and rich tradition of high quality medical education. The UTMB research enterprise has enjoyed a period of rapid growth and development during the past decade, due to the generous support of the state legislature, private foundations, and successful competition for federal research funds. UTMB is the only state supported general hospital in Texas and, as such, serves as the primary referral hospital for many of the indigent patients in the state who are not residents of one of the four major metropolitan communities. For more information about the history of UTMB School of Medicine, click here.

John Sealy Hospital
For more than a century, the University of texas Medical branch (UTMB Health) has served the needs of Texas and Texans from its large Galveston campus, long anchored by the John Sealy Hospital. The 12-story hospital includes single patient rooms and specialized care units. John Sealy Hospital houses the world-renown Blocker Burn Unit, Mother & Baby and Labor & Delivery Units, the Children's Hospital, and the Sleep Lab. For more information about John Sealy Hospital, click here.

Jennie Sealy Hospital
The new Jennie Sealy Hospital opened in April 2016, and reinforces the commitment of UTMB to provide the best possible care for our patients and the best environment for our physicians to care for patients in a setting that nurtures and enriches the learning experience for all of our students. It is a 310 patient room facility that includes 60 dedicated ICU beds, a 28-bed day surgery unit, and 20 state-of-the-art operating suites. For more information about Jennie Sealy Hospital, click here.

Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery Out-Patient Clinic
The Department of Otolaryngology has three state-of-the-art clinics for our out-patient clinical care activities and teaching. Our newest clinic is located on the island and the other two are located on the mainland in Texas City and League City. Our practices are championed by a faculty of driven physicians, who have trained at leading centers throughout the country. Our physicians provide care ranging from routine health maintenance and screening to intensive surgical management. To view our clinics and their locations, click here.

League City Campus Hospital
UTMB Health opened the first hospital in League City complete with inpatient and outpatient care, medical and surgical specialties, after-hours urgent care and 24-hour emergency department. The League City Campus offers advanced health care services to patients in a soothing, healing environment. Each private state-of-the-art patient room supports a team-based, patient-centered and family-centered approach. For more information about the League City Campus Hospital, click here.

Texas Department of Criminal Justice Hospital (UTMB-TDCJ)
This facility is a general acute care facility accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations (JCAHO). The UTMB-TDCJ Hospital remains the first and only hospital specializing in offender care on the campus of a major medical center and teaching institution. The TDCJ service constitutes an invaluable part of the Otolaryngology training program with a great variety of interesting pathology and trauma cases that contribute to the medical and surgical education components of our program. For more information about the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Hospital, click here.

Center for Audiology and Speech Pathology
The center is a comprehensive regional facility for the diagnosis and rehabilitation of patients with communicative disorders. Administratively, it is a Division of the Department of Otolaryngology. The Center includes areas for teaching and research as well as a broad range of diagnostic and rehabilitative facilities for hearing and speech disorders. For more information about The Center for Audiology and Speech Pathology, click here.

Temporal Bone Lab
This lab is supervised by Tomoko Makshima, MD. It is a 6-station temporal bone lab complete with microscopes, drills, suction, irrigation, and instruments available for resident use. Cadaver temporal bones are readily available through our anatomy department.

Microvascular Lab
This lab is supervised by Vicente Resto, MD, PhD. Microvascular surgery is performed by our residents. This facility provides opportunities for residents to hone their skills in microvascular anastomosis in preparation for free flap reconstruction cases.

Surgical Skills Lab
This facility is our very own "anatomy lab." Residents perform anatomic dissections as well as simulated surgical procedures during their training. An important philosophy of our training program, developed by Dr. Bailey, is that knowledge and ability, not pre-determined timelines, should dictate the operative responsibilities given the residents. Expert anatomic knowledge, a pre-requisite for this approach, is obtained in the surgical skills lab.

Molecular Biology Lab
This lab is supervised by Tomoko Makishima, MD. This facility, which is immediately adjacent to the departmental offices, is a state-of-the-art, multipurpose wet lab, developed through a generous investment of departmental resources by Dr. Bailey and provides faculty and residents with a convenient and low-cost venue for the pursuit of basic or translational research projects. We have equipment and instrumentation for tissue processing and storage, tissue culture, electrophoresis, hybridization, RT-PCR, ELISA, cell separation, etc. Residents using this facility have gone on to secure Triologic Society Research Grants and faculty members have successfully obtained NIH funding from pilot projects originated here.

Resident Research Education

Each resident is required to participate in research and publication efforts during the period of his/her training. Substantial direction and assistance is provided by the faculty and support personnel within the department which permits this experience to be maximally productive with a minimal investment of time. Residents may pursue their own interests or participate in some manner in ongoing projects within the department. In the second year of training, residents begin the process of choosing a project and mentor. During the third year of training, a 4 month block of protected time is set aside for the execution of the research plan. Monthly research conferences assist the residents as they prepare, perform, and then analyze the results of their study.

Resident Publications

2023 Graduates

Bishop
Bishop C, Wilhelm A, Watley D, Olobatuyi F, Coblens O, Joshi R. Kimura Disease: A Rare and Difficult to Diagnose Entity. Head Neck Pathol. 2022 Mar;16(1):278-281. doi: 10.1007/s12105-021-01359-9. Epub 2021 Jul 19. PMID: 34282558; PMCID: PMC9018934.

Neve
Freeman CG, Ohlstein JF, Rossi NA, McIntire JB, Neve LD, Daram S, Pine HS. Labial Frenotomy for Symptomatic Isolated Upper Lip Tie. Cureus. 2022 Dec 20;14(12):e32755. doi: 10.7759/cureus.32755. PMID: 36686132; PMCID: PMC9851728.

Swonke ML, Neve L, Rossi NA, McKinnon B, Daram S, Pine HS. Misophonia: An Underrecognized Disease in Pediatric Patients. Ear Nose Throat J. 2022 Apr 12:1455613221095606. doi: 10.1177/01455613221095606. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35414290.

Rossi NA, French KR, Evans CL, Ohlstein JF, Neve LD, Daram S, Young DL, McKinnon BJ, Pine HS. Trending Tubes: A Social Media Analysis of Tympanostomy Tubes in Children. OTO Open. 2022 Mar 31;6(1):2473974X221086964. doi: 10.1177/2473974X221086964. PMID: 35387357; PMCID: PMC8977724.

Wang
Coggins JM, Quinlan BP, Schmidt ML, Wang RA, Hughes CA. Large Angiomatous Nasal Polyp Presents With Epistaxis Imitating Juvenile Nasopharyngeal Angiofibroma. Cureus. 2023 Sep 14;15(9):e45239. doi: 10.7759/cureus.45239. PMID: 37724098; PMCID: PMC10505503.

2022 Graduates

Conner
Rossi NA, Gietzen R, Malaya LT, Haroun KB, Conner GR, Coblens O, Resto VA, Clement CG, Joshi R. Combined large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx: A collision course of tumors. Clin Case Rep. 2022 Jan 27;10(1):e05319. doi: 10.1002/ccr3.5319. PMID: 35127091; PMCID: PMC8795838.

Haroun
Haroun K, Coblens OM. Reconstruction of the mandible for osteoradionecrosis. Curr Opin Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2019 Oct;27(5):401-406. doi: 10.1097/MOO.0000000000000571. PMID: 31389851.

Shah SN, Ramirez AV, Haroun KB, Chaaban MR. Medical Liability in Sinus Surgery: A Westlaw Database Analysis From 2000 to 2017. Am J Rhinol Allergy. 2020 Sep;34(5):642-649. doi: 10.1177/1945892420920479. Epub 2020 Apr 23. PMID: 32326718.

Rossi NA, Gietzen R, Malaya LT, Haroun KB, Conner GR, Coblens O, Resto VA, Clement CG, Joshi R. Combined large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx: A collision course of tumors. Clin Case Rep. 2022 Jan 27;10(1):e05319. doi: 10.1002/ccr3.5319. PMID: 35127091; PMCID: PMC8795838.

2021 Graduates

Ohlstein
Ohlstein JF, Padilla PL, Garza RK, Masel BD, Abouleish A, Pine HS, Szeremeta W. Ankyloglossum Superius Syndrome compromising a neonatal airway: Considerations in congenital oral airway obstructions. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2019 Feb;117:167-170. doi: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2018.11.036. Epub 2018 Dec 1. PMID: 30579074.

Freeman CG, Ohlstein JF, Rossi NA, McIntire JB, Neve LD, Daram S, Pine HS. Labial Frenotomy for Symptomatic Isolated Upper Lip Tie. Cureus. 2022 Dec 20;14(12):e32755. doi: 10.7759/cureus.32755. PMID: 36686132; PMCID: PMC9851728.

Lavere PF, Ohlstein JF, Smith SP, Szeremeta W, Pine HS. Preventing unnecessary tympanostomy tube placement in children. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2019 Jul;122:40-43. doi: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2019.03.031. Epub 2019 Mar 28. PMID: 30951971. 

Rossi NA, Gietzen R, Clement CG, Ohlstein JF, Pine HS, Szeremeta W, McKinnon BJ, Daram S. Bilateral Cervical Pilomatricoma: A Diagnostic Dilemma for the Pediatric Otolaryngologist. Ear Nose Throat J. 2022 Jul;101(6):368-371. doi: 10.1177/0145561320958978. Epub 2020 Sep 28. PMID: 32986491.

Ohlstein JF, Ahmed OG, Garner J, Takashima M. Telemedicine in Otolaryngology in the COVID-19 Era: A Year Out. Cureus. 2021 Dec 29;13(12):e20794. doi: 10.7759/cureus.20794. PMID: 35111474; PMCID: PMC8794398.

McIntire JB, Lee DD, Ohlstein JF, Williams Iii E. Career Satisfaction, Commitment, and Burnout Among American Facial Plastic Surgeons. Facial Plast Surg Aesthet Med. 2020 Apr 15. doi: 10.1089/fpsam.2020.0086. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 32286859.

Reddy DN, Rossi NA, Ohlstein JF, Coblens O. Infected auricular keloid secondary to attempted self-amputation of a gauge earring. BMJ Case Rep. 2021 Oct 1;14(10):e246325. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2021-246325. PMID: 34598973; PMCID: PMC8488705.

Tycko J, Adam VS, Crosariol M, Ohlstein J, Sanmiguel J, Tretiakova AP, Roy S, Worgall S, Wilson JM, Limberis MP. Adeno-Associated Virus Vector-Mediated Expression of Antirespiratory Syncytial Virus Antibody Prevents Infection in Mouse Airways. Hum Gene Ther. 2021 Dec;32(23-24):1450-1456. doi: 10.1089/hum.2021.079. Epub 2021 Aug 20. PMID: 34415793.

Ferry AM, Wright AE, Ohlstein JF, Khoo K, Pine HS. Efficacy of a Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire for the Diagnosis of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Children. Cureus. 2020 Dec 23;12(12):e12244. doi: 10.7759/cureus.12244. PMID: 33500863; PMCID: PMC7819429.

Swonke ML, Smith SA, Ohlstein JF, Siddiqui F, Szeremeta W, Pine HS. Unexplained destructive nasal lesions in half-brothers: A possible case of Munchausen syndrome by proxy. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2019 Aug;123:75-78. doi: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2019.04.029. Epub 2019 Apr 25. PMID: 31077906.

Rossi NA, Spaude J, Ohlstein JF, Pine HS, Daram S, McKinnon BJ, Szeremeta W. Apnea-hypopnea index severity as an independent predictor of post-tonsillectomy respiratory complications in pediatric patients: A retrospective study. Ear Nose Throat J. 2021 Dec 1:1455613211059468. doi: 10.1177/01455613211059468. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 34851765.

Watley
Bishop C, Wilhelm A, Watley D, Olobatuyi F, Coblens O, Joshi R. Kimura Disease: A Rare and Difficult to Diagnose Entity. Head Neck Pathol. 2022 Mar;16(1):278-281. doi: 10.1007/s12105-021-01359-9. Epub 2021 Jul 19. PMID: 34282558; PMCID: PMC9018934.

Watley DC, Mong ER, Rana NA, Illing EA, Chaaban MR. Surgical Approach to Frontal Sinus Osteoma: A Systematic Review. Am J Rhinol Allergy. 2019 Sep;33(5):462-469. doi: 10.1177/1945892419839895. Epub 2019 Apr 5. PMID: 30950282.

Vohra V, Watley DC, Yan CH, Locke TB, Bernstein IA, Levy JM, Rowan NR. Predictors of academic career placement and scholarly impact in fellowship-trained rhinologists. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2022 Jan;12(1):62-70. doi: 10.1002/alr.22873. Epub 2021 Jul 26. PMID: 34309228.

Kaur S, Smith LM, Patel A, Menning M, Watley DC, Malik SS, Krishn SR, Mallya K, Aithal A, Sasson AR, Johansson SL, Jain M, Singh S, Guha S, Are C, Raimondo M, Hollingsworth MA, Brand RE, Batra SK. A Combination of MUC5AC and CA19-9 Improves the Diagnosis of Pancreatic Cancer: A Multicenter Study. Am J Gastroenterol. 2017 Jan;112(1):172-183. doi: 10.1038/ajg.2016.482. Epub 2016 Nov 15. PMID: 27845339; PMCID: PMC5365072.

Chaaban MR, Stuart J, Watley D, Baillargeon G, Kuo YF. Recurrent anaphylaxis in the United States: time of onset and risk factors. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2020 Mar;10(3):320-327. doi: 10.1002/alr.22502. Epub 2019 Nov 27. PMID: 31774625.

2020 Graduates

Prze
Kridel RWH, Delaney SW, Prze C. Primary Closure Technique for Conchal Auricular Composite Graft Donor Site. JAMA Facial Plast Surg. 2018 Jul 1;20(4):328-329. doi: 10.1001/jamafacial.2018.0379. PMID: 29852044.

Shah
Shah SN, Ramirez AV, Haroun KB, Chaaban MR. Medical Liability in Sinus Surgery: A Westlaw Database Analysis From 2000 to 2017. Am J Rhinol Allergy. 2020 Sep;34(5):642-649. doi: 10.1177/1945892420920479. Epub 2020 Apr 23. PMID: 32326718.

2019 Graduates

Nik Rana, MD
Pham V, Rana N, Underbrink M, Mukerji S, Siddiqui F, Pine H. Post-operative Outcomes in Coblation Versus Electrocautery Tonsillectomies. Published with International Journal of Head and Neck Surgery. December 2013

Jordan Rawl, MD
Gillespie MB, O'Connell BP, Rawl JW, McLaughlin CW, Carroll WW, Nguyen SA. Laryngoscope. 2015 Jun; 125 (6): 1340-4. doi: 10.1002/lary.25062

Rawl JW, Caplan MJ, Lentsch EJ. A growing lesion on the cheek. JAMA Otolaryngol Head and Neck Surg. 2014 Apr; 140 (4): 383 - 4. doi: 10.1001/jamaoto.2013.6770

Lara Reichert, MD
Reichert LK, Zhao AS, Galati LT, Shapshay SM. The Efficacy of Mitomycin C in the Treatment of Laryngotracheal Stenosis: Results and Experiences with a Difficult Disease Entity. ORL J Otorhinolaryngol Relat Spec. 2015;77(6):351-8.

2018 Graduates

Ben McIntire, MD
McIntire JB, Pine H. Don't Make Me Cry. In FB Quinn (Ed.) Dr. Quinn's Online Textbook of Otolaryngology (http://www.utmb.edu/otoref/). Mar 28, 2014

Jeyakumar A, Wilson M, Sorrel JE, McIntire JB, Jones DD, Brickman TM, Arriaga M. Monopolar Cautery and Adverse Effects on Cochlear Implants. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2013; 139(7): 694-697.

McIntire JB, L Simon. Epiglottic and arytenoid cyst in a preterm infant: case report and review of the literature. International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology Extra 2012; 7(3): 144-146.

Emily Tignor, MD
Tignor, E., Qiu, S., & Mukerji, S. (2015) Auricular Mass in a Child. JAMA Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, 141(8): 761-2. PMID: 26067152

2017 Graduates

Steven Smith, MD
Smith SP, Russell JL, Chen NW, Kuo YF, Resto VA. Sinonasal Carcinoma: Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Survival-A Review of 4714 Patients. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2015 Oct;153(4):551-60.

For current salary information, see UTMB Health's Graduate Medical Education Salary.

Fringe benefits at the present time include medical insurance for the entire family, dental insurance for the Resident, and Professional Liability Insurance. A variable amount of money is available for travel to meetings and the purchase of books and journals.