Program Overview

---

Introduction to the UNC Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery Residency Program

The University of North Carolina Department of Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery Resident Training Program aims to produce world-class surgeons, empathetic providers, and leaders in the field. The program offers a well-rounded, balanced training experience with extensive clinical and research opportunities.

Program Overview

• The program is five years in duration, with an alternative career path of seven years, including two years in the lab supported by an NIH T32 Training Grant.
• The program is designed to equip residents with the skills to integrate seamlessly into the ever-changing landscape of healthcare.
• The program fosters a sense of family in a supportive, collaborative, and respectful environment.

Program Administration

• Program Director: Brian D. Thorp, MD, FACS, FARS
• Associate Professor of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery and Neurosurgery
• Other key faculty members include:
  • Christine E. DeMason, MD, Chief, Division of General Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery
  • Lauren A. Leeper, MD, FACS, Associate Professor and Director, Pediatric Otolaryngology Fellowship Program
  • Julie Seger, C-TAGME, GME Residency Program Coordinator

About Our Program

The program strives to produce otolaryngologists who are world-class surgeons, empathetic providers, and leaders in the field. The program offers a well-rounded, balanced training experience with extensive clinical and research opportunities.

Quick Facts

• The UNC Healthcare System includes five hospitals, with approximately 900 beds and over 600,000 ED visits and 3,500,000 clinic visits each year.
• The Department of Otolaryngology performs over 250 free flaps in Head & Neck annually, evaluates over 700 new head & neck cancers, and performs over 300 Cochlear Implants annually.

How to Apply

All applications and supporting documents should be submitted through the Association of American Medical Colleges’ Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS).

NIH T-32 Research Track

• The research track program is a seven-year program, sponsored by an NIH T-32 training grant, designed for applicants interested in an expanded research career in academic Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery.
• The program includes two full years of research, exemption from call and clinical duties during research time, and opportunity for independent curriculum or mini-fellowship in the last months of residency.

Our Residents

The program has a strong sense of community, with residents who are supportive and collaborative.

State of the Art Facilities

• The program has access to state-of-the-art facilities, including a new Medical Education Building, a new Surgical Tower, and a Simulation Laboratory.

Our Commitment to Teaching

The program is committed to teaching future leaders in Otolaryngology, with a comprehensive educational program that includes regularly scheduled didactics, conferences, faculty-led courses, and national subspecialty courses.

Rotation Schedule

• PGY-1 Year: 6 months on otolaryngology service, 3 months on head & neck, and 3 months apprenticeship model within various subspecialties.
• PGY-2 Year: 6 months of general otolaryngology experience, 4 months of research time, and 2 months at UNC’s Main Campus.
• PGY-3 Year: 3 months of advanced general otolaryngology experience, 9 months rotating through each subspecialty division.
• PGY-4 Year: 3 months of advanced training in general otolaryngology, 3 months of consult service rotation, and 6 months of advanced experience in each subspecialty division.
• PGY-5 Year: The chief resident year, with enhanced leadership development, increased administrative responsibility, and clinical polishing of basic skills.

Resident Research

The program is committed to carrying out basic science, clinical, and health services research that advances the field of otolaryngology/head and neck surgery.

International Mission Opportunities

The program has a longstanding commitment to global outreach, with opportunities for residents to participate in international missions and programs.

Life in Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill is a popular relocation destination, known for its prospering job market, renowned restaurants, and strong sense of community. The area offers a range of activities, including beautiful greenways and trails, gardens, museums, breweries, and a full calendar of community events.