UCLA Medical Center

The Division of Head and Neck Surgery offers a five-year training program which encompasses both clinical and research activities. There are 20 full time faculty members with five Chief Residents graduating each year. Clinical teaching takes place at UCLA Medical Center, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, the VA Medical Centers, Olive View Medical Center and Children's Hospital of Los Angeles. Fellowships are offered in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Head and Neck Oncology and Laryngology.

Basic Surgical Training
The UCLA Basic Surgical Training Program rotates the PGY-1 surgery residents through the Division of Head and Neck Surgery for up to three months although this rotation is not part of the formal otolaryngology training years. During this time, residents learn how to perform a thorough, adept head and neck examination. They are exposed to inpatient care of complicated head and neck cases, management strategies for airway obstruction and tracheotomies.

Head and Neck Clinical Training
The goal of the first year of otolaryngology training (PGY-2) is to teach basic science principles as they apply to otolaryngology with the etiology, prognosis and treatment options for a number of disorders. Didactic sessions for these topics are offered as part of the curriculum. These are supplemented with relevant journal articles and materials from the Academy. Residents are trained in adult and pediatric patient diagnostic and assessment procedures as well as patient management. Under proper supervision, residents are given the opportunity to perform a number of general, pediatric, plastics, and otology surgical procedures. Residents work along side faculty, working up new patients, devising treatment plans and performing surgical procedures. In addition, they participate in sub-specialty clinics, such as vestibular and plastic and reconstructive surgery.
     The second year of training (PGY-3) provides the opportunity for residents to evaluate and manage more complex patient problems and perform a variety of more complex surgical procedures, such as those in laryngeal medialization, endoscopic sinus surgery, septoplasty, large head and neck tumor ablations, and assist in neck dissections. Residents work directly with faculty in the outpatient setting with new and follow-up patients. During the PGY-3 year, residents choose a field for intensive research study and develop a research proposal. Residents may choose to perform their research from a number of divisional laboratories, including laryngeal, vestibular, otologic, molecular oncology, microvascular or plastics.
     The purpose of the third year of training (PGY-4) is to promote progressive surgical experience. Residents are encouraged to see more complicated outpatient problems, such as cranio-facial anomalies, patients requiring plastic surgery procedures, or unusual laryngology problems. In the operating room, residents often serve as first assistant on more complicated cases, such as mastoidectomies and complicated reconstructive cases.
     By completion of the fourth year of otolaryngology training, the PGY-5 (Chief) resident is practicing otolaryngology at a high level. Chiefs are responsible for the day to day running of the inpatient service. Chief residents are first assistants on all cases in the main operating room and complicated cases in the outpatient surgery center. Typically, they are first assistants on all tumor resection and neck dissections, as well as free flap reconstruction, otology and neurotology cases. Chief residents are responsible for junior resident supervision along with additional administrative and academic responsibilities including scheduling complex cases, checking and signing off on all junior resident logs, lecturing to medical students, and presenting all complications at the monthly Morbidity and Mortality conference. Residents present their completed research and may prepare a research proposal towards a Mentored Clinical Investigator Award (NIH, KO8).

Conferences
Several additional formal educational experiences are included as part of the residency. These include weekly Head and Neck Tumor Conference and didactic sessions on relevant topics, Morbidity and Mortality Conference, the multidisciplinary oncology conference, otology conference, plastic surgery journal club, and a number of supplemental surgery courses.
     Detailed information about the Head and Neck residency training program can by obtained from the Division office at (310) 825-4551
 

Gerald Berke, MD
Director, Head and Neck Surgery
Residency Program

Head and Neck Surgery (Categorical)

Length of Program:
Five Years (One year in the Basic Surgical Training Program followed by four years in the Head and Neck Surgery Training Program)

Positions Available:
Five per year at the Postgraduate 1 level.

Eligibility Requirements:
USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 (prior to beginning internship)

Graduation from an accredited U.S. or Canadian Medical School or valid ECFMG certificate and eligibility letter from the Medical Board of California

Application Deadlines:
Oct 1

Application Requirements:
Universal Residency Application

Registration with the ERAS

USMLE Step 1 Score

Three Letters of Recommendation

Dean's Letter

Resident Brochure

Match Date:
Early March