Otolaryngology Residency Curriculum

SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital is the academic base for otolaryngology residents. Throughout the program, trainees also rotate at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital. 

There is full attending supervision in the office and operating rooms of each institution. 

During the first year of residency, trainees complete a structured curriculum designed to build a strong foundation in both general surgical principles and specialty-specific skills:

• Five months of core otolaryngology training with experiences in inpatient and outpatient care, operating room procedures and emergency ENT management
• One month of pediatric otolaryngology training, which focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of ENT conditions in children, (e.g. airway management and common pediatric procedures)
• Six months of general surgery training, which provides essential training in perioperative care, surgical technique and interdisciplinary collaboration across various surgical subspecialties:
  • Neurosurgery
  • Anesthesia
  • Plastic surgery
  • Surgical critical care (ICU)
  • Emergency surgery
  • General surgery

This balanced approach ensures residents are well-prepared for the clinical and surgical demands of advanced otolaryngology training. 

Residents spend their remaining four years fully immersed in the Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, gaining progressive clinical and surgical responsibility across all subspecialties and increasing autonomy in patient care, operative experience and leadership. This culminates in the chief resident year, during which senior residents prepare for independent practice of fellowship training by overseeing clinical teams, managing complex surgical cases and mentoring junior trainees. 

Notably, PGY-3 residents have a dedicated three-month research rotation, allowing them to pursue scholarly projects, contribute to academic publications and present at national meetings. 

7:30-8:30 a.m. on Wednesdays

Grand round lectures are an integral part of our academic calendar, offering continuing medical education (CME) credit to eligible participants. Presentations are delivered by faculty, residents, and guest speakers from our department related specialties.

These sessions provide a platform for sharing clinical insights, research advancements and multidisciplinary perspectives, fostering ongoing learning and collaboration across the medical community. 

7-8:30 a.m. on Wednesdays; bi-monthly

The morbidity and mortality conference focuses on improving patient outcomes and promoting clinical experience. Residents present relevant cases from SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital and SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital, highlighting complications, unexpected outcomes and complex management decisions.

These sessions emphasize strategies for avoiding complications and enhancing patient care through open, constructive dialogue. Faculty, residents and medical students are encouraged to attend in participate in these confidential, case-based discussions, which foster critical thinking, accountability and continuous improvement in clinical practice. 

6:30-7:30 a.m. on Wednesdays; three times per month

Our teaching conferences provide a collaborative environment for faculty and residents to present and discuss unusual, complex or noteworthy clinical cases and topics. These sessions are designed to foster informal yet intellectually rigorous dialogue, encouraging participants to refine their diagnostic reasoning and clinical decision-making skills. 

Through case-based learning and open discussion, the conferences support the development of cognitive strategies essential for the effective assessment and management of a wide range of disease processes in otolaryngology. 

7-8 a.m. on Fridays

The Otolaryngology Book Club is a resident-led academic initiative designed to promote in-depth study and discussion of authoritative texts in the field. Chief residents coordinate the sessions and guide systematic reviews of selected chapters, fostering collaborative learning and critical analysis. 

Book club discussions typically span a one- to two-week period, allowing participants to explore key concepts, share insights and engage in thoughtful dialogue that enhances both clinical knowledge and academic development. 

7-8 a.m. on Tuesdays

This multidisciplinary conference includes specialists from otolaryngology, radiology, pathology, medical oncology and radiation oncology. PGY-2 residents present head and neck cases to determine TNM staging, develop multidisciplinary treatment plans and assess patient status. All patient information discussed is then reported to the American Cancer Society.

Monthly

The Otolaryngology Journal Club provides a structured forum for the critical review and discussion of current medical literature. Led by faculty, these sessions focus on evaluating recent research articles relevant to otolaryngology, with an emphasis on evidence-based practice and clinical applicability. 

Participants engage in thoughtful analysis of study design, methodology and outcomes, fostering skills in literature appraisal, scientific reasoning and lifelong learning. The club supports academic development and encourages the integration of research findings into clinical decision-making. 

The Temporal Bone Lab offers hands-on surgical training through faculty-led cadaveric dissection sessions. Residents gain essential experience in temporal bone anatomy and surgical techniques, including approaches to the middle and inner ear. This immersive learning environment enhances anatomical understanding and technical proficiency, supporting the development of skills critical to otologic surgery.