McGovern Medical School’s Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Residency Program Expands
An ongoing increase in the number of residents and a new partnership with Houston Methodist Hospital have expanded the graduate medical education program in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth. The department currently trains 13 residents, with a goal of increasing to 15 by academic year 2023-24.
“We had an excellent match last year through the National Resident Matching Program,” says William C. Yao, MD, associate professor of otorhinolaryngology and director of the otolaryngology residency program. The Class of 2026 includes Shaina Gong, MD, a graduate of McGovern Medical School; Amy Leming, MD, from the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine in Oklahoma City; and Dylan Vance, MD, from Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia.
The McGovern Medical School Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Residency Training Program provides experience in the subspecialties of bronchoesophagology, facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, head and neck surgery, laryngology, maxillofacial trauma, otology and neuro-otology, pediatric otolaryngology, and rhinology as well as audiology and speech pathology. Over the course of their five years at the institution, physicians have opportunities for both formal and informal educational experiences, with a graduated increase in responsibility for education and patient care in line with their demonstrated clinical skills.
In accordance with guidelines set by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, all trainees participate in research on an annual basis, including three months of dedicated research time during which they develop a significant project. Clinical rotations occur in a variety of settings, including the department’s state-of-the-art outpatient office at Memorial Hermann Medical Plaza, local surgery centers, and major hospitals including Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center, a quaternary referral center and Level 1 trauma center; Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital, part of the Harris Health System; The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center; and now Houston Methodist Hospital.
“In addition to these longstanding hospital partnerships, the department has added rotations at Houston Methodist Hospital. This new relationship allows for an expansion in training and adds a new facet to our residency program, which is continuously evolving in line with our vision,” Dr. Yao says. “It’s an honor to be handed the torch from Dr. Ronda Alexander, who led the residency program for the previous six years. My goal is to continue to grow our dynamic program and build upon our national reputation.”