Otolaryngology Residency Lubbock

Resident will spend the first two months with the Department of Surgery at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in rotations, including general surgery and trauma. The additional four months will include rotations with anesthesiology, neurosurgery, neuro- intensive care and ophthalmology. The remaining six months of the year are spent on Otolaryngology Services. The role of the intern on these services is primarily to manage inpatient care. However, the intern is typically assigned to clinic or surgical cases appropriate to their level of training. 

Resident rotates six months on the General Otolaryngology, three months on the Pediatric Otolaryngology and three months on the Head & Neck Surgery/Laryngology rotation. On each of these services, the resident sees all inpatient consultations. Responsibilities are split between clinic and the operating room. In particular, the resident becomes very proficient at airway management (tracheostomy, direct laryngoscopy, etc.) and general pediatric procedures. 

Resident year is split between time on the General Otolaryngology services (General, Pediatric and Otology). Responsibilities are split between clinic and operating room. The PGY3 resident gains significant experience with basic otolaryngology procedures, sinus surgery, septorhinoplasty and facial reconstruction. The last three months of rotation includes Otology completed with our clinical faculty in Ft. Worth, Texas.

Resident rotates three months on General Otolaryngology, Head/Neck Laryn, Otology/Neurotology and Pediatric Otolaryngology. The PGY4 resident spends a large majority of their time in the operating room and gain significant experience with multiple head and neck procedures. This year is also an opportunity to build on previous experience with sinus surgery, septorhinoplasty, and facial reconstruction.

Resident rotates three months on Head/Neck Laryn, three months on General Facial/Plastics and six months on General Otolaryngology. The resident spends a large majority of their time in the operating room. They are the chiefs on all services and direct junior residents. The Chief Resident has significant autonomy and directly mentors a PGY2 in the clinic and operating room. The Chief resident gains significant experience in advanced surgical cases and is able to finesse their surgical skills with increased independence.

How do I submit my application?
We accept applications only through the ERAS System.

What constitutes a complete application?

• An ERAS application form
• Personal statement
• Current Curriculum vitae
• Medical school transcript
• USMLE (or COMLEX)  transcript
• 3 letters of recommendation (You may submit more if you prefer; Chair LOR not required)
• Medical School Performance Evaluation
• ECFMG certificate (if applicable – applicants must be ECFMG-certified no later than the application deadline of October 4th) 
  
  *​If you wish to submit information to supplement your application (publication updates, etc.), you may do so by contacting the residency coordinator and sending this information on to her via email for updating your file.

Is there a pre-filter file review?
There is no official pre-filter file review, nor is there a minimum required USMLE score. Each applicant, as a whole, is taken into consideration.

What exams are required for MD and DO applicants?
Our program requires Completion and Passing of USMLE Step 1, Step 2 and COMLEX-USA Level 1 and Level 2.

Do you accept international medical graduates?
We do accept applications from international medical graduates. You must be ECFMG-certified and acquire by July 1 of your intern year a J-1 visa.

Does your program require previous U.S. clinical experience?
No, previous U.S. clinical experience is not required to apply to the program; however, to remain a competitive candidate, it is strongly advised.

What are the visa options for the program?
An applicant must be able to qualify for a J-1 visa. Upon hiring, visa applications are handled through the GME Office.

You are encouraged to start the application process as soon as possible. Please note that no final decision on selection can be made on an incomplete application. Submitting an acceptable application is the responsibility of the prospective resident. We do not set a specific minimum score requirement for the USMLE because the Selection Committee views the application as a whole, but your score must be competitive. If your application is chosen by the Selection Committee you will be invited for interviews. Our interview process will take place during the month of October. Our interviews will be scheduled on Fridays when the faculty is readily available.

“Our Mission is to assure that at the completion of their five-year training our Graduates are equipped with the knowledge, experience, and technical skills to succeed professionally whether they choose academic or private practice, with or without further fellowship training. Our graduates will be expected to have the maturity, personal skills and ethical standards to become respected and productive members of the surgical profession.”

Winslo Idicula, M.D.
Associate Professor and Program Director
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery