5th YEAR RESIDENTS – CLASS OF 2021
Sarah Khayat
Undergraduate: University of Louisville
Medical School: University of Louisville
Future Plans: Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Fellowship
Research Interests: rhinoplasty, facial analysis, epidemiology/public health
Publication: Hyman AJ, Khayat S, Toriumi DM, Correction of Nasal Pinching. Facial Plastic Clinics of North America – Nassif P, Frisenda J Revision Facial Plastic Surgery: Correcting Bad Results. Elsevier; 2019. Chapter 6.
“UIC is a truly unique program in that it offers exposure to so many practice sites and attending faculty that you learn many surgical techniques to address the same issue. I cannot stress enough the importance of camaraderie between and among residents and faculty. I feel at home in my training program.”
| Undergraduate | University of Louisville |
| Medical School | University of Louisville |
| Future Plans | Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Fellowship |
| Research Interests | Rhinoplasty, Facial analysis, Epidemiology/Public health |
| Publication | Hyman AJ, Khayat S, Toriumi DM, Correction of Nasal Pinching. Facial Plastic Clinics of North America – Nassif P, Frisenda J Revision Facial Plastic Surgery: Correcting Bad Results. Elsevier; 2019. Chapter 6. |
| “UIC is a truly unique program in that it offers exposure to so many practice sites and attending faculty that you learn many surgical techniques to address the same issue. I cannot stress enough the importance of camaraderie between and among residents and faculty. I feel at home in my training program.” | |
| Undergraduate | Pitzer College |
| Medical School | Oregon Health & Science University |
| Future Plans | Rhinology and Skull Base Surgery Fellowship |
| Research Interests | Chronic Rhinosinusitis, Cerebrospinal fluid leaks |
| Publication | Ahmad FI, Means C, Labby A, Cross C, et al. Osteocutaneous radial forearm free flap in non-mandible head and neck reconstruction. Head and Neck. 2017 Sep;39(9):1888-1893 |
| “There are few, if any, programs available that give you both the incredible exposure to many talented mentors as well as the opportunity to treat the entire spectrum of the patient population like ours.” | |
Alex Labby
Medical School: Oregon Health Science University School of Medicine
Current research: The Cartilage-Cuffed Tympanostomy Tube
Publication: Ahmad FI, Means C, Labby AB, Troob SH, Gonzalez JD, Kim MM, Li RJ, Wax MK. Osteocutaneous radial forearm free flap in nonmandible head and neck reconstruction. Head Neck. 2017 Sep;39(9):1888-1893. doi: 10.1002/hed.24863. Epub 2017 Jul 4. PMID: 28675554
Favorite book: Cannery Row
“Our program provides a varied patient population that is rewarding to work with. We receive excellent training while rotating at clinical sites that show the entire spectrum of otolaryngological clinical practices.”
| Undergraduate | The Ohio State University |
| Medical School | University of Cincinnati College of Medicine |
| Future Plans | Pediatric Otolaryngology Fellowship, Cincinnati Children’s |
| Research Interests | Tonsillectomy Pain Control, Intracapsular vs. Extracapsular Tonsillectomy, Quality Improvement |
| Publication | Soaper AL, Richardson ZL, Chen JL, Gerber ME. Pediatric tonsillectomy: A short-term and long-term comparison of intracapsular versus extracapsular techniques. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2020;133:109970. doi:10.1016/j.ijporl.2020.109970 |
| “UIC has been a phenomenal place to train and I have been so happy with my experience. The camaraderie amongst residents and attendings is a strength of the program as well as the case volume and autonomy we are provided.” | |
Ashley Soaper
Medical School: University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
Current Research: The Effect of Monopolar Cautery Settings on Post-Tonsillectomy Hemorrhage
Favorite TV Show: Gilmore Girls
“My favorite thing about the program is how well everyone gets along and how we genuinely enjoy working together. I think it makes us better doctors and makes it fun to come to work everyday.”
4th YEAR RESIDENTS – CLASS OF 2022
Robert Cristel
Medical School: University of Missouri, Columbia School of Medicine
Current Research: 3D Analysis in Lower Blepharoplasty Fat Pad Transposition
Favorite Book: Angels and Demons by Dan Brown
“My favorite thing about UIC are the relationships among my co-residents and the ability to learn from attendings at multiple clinical sites.”
| Undergraduate | Webster University |
| Medical School | University of Missouri-Columbia |
| Future Plans | Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Fellowship |
| Research Interests | Rhinoplasty, Aesthetics, Neurotoxin, Filler, Non-Surgical Cosmetic Therapy |
| Publication | Cristel RT, Dayan SH, Akinosun M, Russell PT. Evaluation of Selfies and Filtered Selfies and Effects on First Impressions. Aesthetic Surgery Journal. 2020:1-9. |
| “UIC allows for residents to pursue their interests with support from faculty clinically and in research. We have the ability to train at several surgical sites in Chicago which offers a unique opportunity to learn different techniques. The relationships among the residents is one of the best parts of the program being able to work well as a team and hang out together in our free time.” | |
Cody Jeu
Medical School: University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston
Current Research: Functional Impact of Malpositioned Lower Lateral Cartilage in Primary Rhinoplasty Patients
Publication: Weinreich HM, Khayat S, Hertzano RP, Briggs SE, Agrawal Y. The Women in Neurotology (WIN)-A Cross-sectional Survey. Otol Neurotol. 2019 Jun;40(5):557-558. doi: 10.1097/MAO.0000000000002268. PMID: 31083072
Favorite Hobbies: Custom Mechanical Keyboards
“UIC ENT’s greatest strength is the diverse range of practice exposures and our tight knit resident and faculty ‘family’.”
| Undergraduate | Rice University |
| Medical School | University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston |
| Clinical Area of Interest | General Otolaryngology |
| Research Interests | Cochlear Implants, Operative Efficacy and Functionality |
| Current Project | Jeu, C. “A CI simulation study of transposing frequencies in an individualized programing approach”, Pilot study to investigate the effect of transposing input from mismatched cochlear implant electrodes on localization and discrimination. |
| “Chicago has proved itself to be a great 5 year home exceeding all expectations from great food, beautiful cityscape, and a glimmer of hope that is Chicago summers amidst not so bad winters. The UIC program has become my second family with an amazing group of residents who are more than just colleagues, always lending a hand and looking out for one another. Faculty truly makes an effort to better the residents any chance they get and make these 5 years of training something I will be proud to take anywhere.” | |
Johanna Wickemeyer
Medical School: Georgetown University School of Medicine
Current research: Facial Measurement Techniques in Facial Reanimation
Publication: Wickemeyer J, Achim V, Redleaf M. Stapedectomy Is Rewarding: But How to Prove It? Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2019 May 12:3489419849615. doi: 10.1177/0003489419849615. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 31081345
Favorite book: How the Mind Works by Steven Pinker
“I love UIC ENT because of the camaraderie and teamwork of my fellow residents. I always feel as though I have my colleagues’ encouragement and support.
| Undergraduate | Brandeis University |
| Medical School | Georgetown University School of Medicine |
| Future Plans | Sleep Medicine Fellowship |
| Research Interests | Neurotology, Obstructive sleep apnea, Medical education |
| Publication | Wickemeyer J, Achim V, Redleaf M. Stapedectomy Is Rewarding: But How to Prove It? Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2019 Oct;128(10):911-914. doi: 10.1177/0003489419849615. |
| “UIC is a well-balanced program. It offers excellent surgical training at numerous and diverse subsites, good support for research endeavors, and a caring team of co-residents. Here, you have the scaffolding to shape your career into whatever you want it to be.” | |
3rd YEAR RESIDENTS – CLASS OF 2023
Alex Caniglia
Medical School: University of Nebraska College of Medicine
Favorite TV Show: Anthony Bourdain
“What I like about the department is that all of the residents get along well together and actually enjoy each other’s company. We get plenty of surgical exposure early and rotate at multiple institutions providing a wide variety of pathology and patients.“
| Undergraduate | University of Arizona |
| Medical School | University of Nebraska Medical Center |
| Clinical Area of Interest | Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery |
| Research Interests | Facial Plastics |
| Publication | Are C, Caniglia A, Sharma A, & Gold JP. (2018). Burnout, substance abuse, and suicide: A surgical perspective. In Practical Ethics for the Surgeon (pp. 229-262). Wolters Kluwer Health Adis (ESP). |
| “This is a truly great ENT program. We rotate at multiple hospitals which affords us different clinical experiences and the ability to work with attendings all throughout the city. We start operating early in our clinical training and graduate fully autonomous and competent surgeons. As a resident group, we get along well and often hang out during our free time. Also, the city of Chicago has something to offer for everyone.” | |
Elliot Koo
Medical School: Easter Virginia Medical School
Research Interests: Head and Neck Cancer, Electronic Cigarettes
Publication: Perdoni CJ, Santarelli GD, Koo EY, Karakla DW, Bak MJ. Clinical and functional outcomes after total laryngectomy and laryngopharyngectomy: Analysis by tumor subsite, salvage status, and extent of resection. Head Neck. 2019;41(9):3133–3143. doi:10.1002/hed.25807
Favorite TV Show: South Park & Children’s Hospital
“A strength of our program are the various rotation sites that provide resident autonomy within the operating room and clinic. We work and learn from a multitude of faculty throughout the city, providing residents with a diverse training experience preparing them for any career in Otolaryngology.“
| Undergraduate | The George Washington University |
| Medical School | Eastern Virginia Medical School |
| Clinical Area of Interest | Head & Neck Surgical Oncology |
| Research Interests | Head & Neck Cancer, E-Cigarettes/Vaping, Outcome Improvement |
| Publication | Perdoni CJ, Santarelli GD, Koo EY, Karakla DW, Bak MJ. Clinical and functional outcomes after total laryngectomy and laryngopharyngectomy: Analysis by tumor subsite, salvage status, and extent of resection. Head Neck. 2019; 41(9):3133–3143. doi:10.1002/hed.25807 |
| “A strength of our program are the various rotation sites that provide resident autonomy within the operating room and clinic. We work and learn from a multitude of faculty throughout the city, providing residents with a diverse training experience preparing them for any career in Otolaryngology.” | |
Chris Mularczyk
Medical School: University of Illinois College of Medicine
Current Project: Paradoxical Vocal Fold Motion and fMRI imaging.
Publication: Mularczyk C, Moynihan, M, Yu J. Mucocutaneous Lesions in an Adult Male Who Recently Moved From Mexico. JAMA Otolaryngology. Accepted July 2019.
Favorite TV Shows: Curb Your Enthusiasm & Breaking Bad
“One of my favorite aspects of the UIC ENT program is the diverse experience offered through the many rotation sites, and with each change in rotation comes a different learning experience. Also, the residents are all awesome, and very supportive of each other.”
| Undergraduate | University of Illinois |
| Medical School | University of Illinois College of Medicine |
| Clinical Area of Interest | Otology, General, Pediatrics |
| Research Interests | Otology, Cochlear Implantation and Sound Perception Quality, Evolution in Surgical Techniques |
| Publication | Mularczyk C. Moynihan M. Yu J. Mucocutaneous Lesions in an Adult Man Who Recently Moved From Mexico. JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery, 2019; 145(10):965-966. |
| “Chicago is an awesome city with something for everybody. I personally enjoy it for the music. UIC is the best representation of Chicago as a program. We see an extremely diverse patient base, which varies location to location. We work in various hospital systems that not only prepares us for patient care, but also exposes us to the wide variety of practice styles that exist in order to tailor how and where we would like to practice in the future. The resident group is awesome, and they keep me constantly laughing, even on the most exhausting of days”. | |
2nd YEAR RESIDENTS – CLASS OF 2024
Brittany Abud
Medical School: Florida State University College of Medicine
Favorite TV Show: Anything Bravo, Food Network or murdery!
“What drew me to the program was the relationships within the program. Everyone gets along so well and is so supportive and that is the type of environment that I want to work in. I also love how many different rotation sites we get to experience. I think that provides such a versatile learning experience.”
| Undergraduate | Florida State University |
| Medical School | Florida State University College of Medicine |
| Clinical Area of Interest | Pediatrics, Facial Plastics, General |
| Research Interests | Facial Plastics, Women In Surgery, Quality Improvement |
| Presentation | Tanner B, Livingston F, Muszynski MJ. The Effect of Comorbid Cystic Fibrosis and Rheumatologic Disease on Outcome: A retrospective chart review. Poster. Celebration of Pediatric Pulmonology and Sleep, Orlando, Florida. February 2019. |
| “What drew me to the program was the relationships within the program. Everyone gets along so well and is so supportive and that is the type of environment that I want to work in. I also love how many different rotation sites we get to experience. I think that provides such a versatile learning experience.” | |
Natalia Hajnas
Medical School: University of Illinois College of Medicine
“What I love about being a resident here is the supportive environment I work in every day. The residents all strive to help each other, and are very attentive to each other’s needs. The attendings are constantly teaching and genuinely interested in our education, and go out of their way to push us to grow and improve.”
| Undergraduate | Loyola University |
| Medical School | The University of Illinois College of Medicine |
| Clinical Area of Interest | Pediatrics, Otology, Head & Neck |
| Research Interests | Pediatric Hearing Loss, Instrument Design, Medical Education, Quality Improvement |
| Publication | Samra S, Steitz JT, Hajnas N, Toriumi DM. Surgical Management of Nasal Valve Collapse. Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 2018;51(5):929‐944. doi:10.1016/j.otc.2018.05.009 |
| “What I love about being a resident here is the supportive environment I work in every day. The residents all strive to help each other, and are very attentive to each other’s needs. The attendings are constantly teaching and genuinely interested in our education, and go out of their way to push us to grow and improve.” | |
John Wilson, IV
Medical School: University of Illinois College of Medicine
Current research: The Cartilage-Cuffed Tympanostomy Tube
Publication: Wilson J, Reid KJ, Braun RI, Abbott SM, Zee PC (2018). Habitual light exposure relative to circadian timing in delayed sleep-wake phase disorder. SLEEP 41(11): zsy166. doi:10.1093/sleep/zsy166
Favorite TV show: The Bon Appétit YouTube channel
“I love UIC because the attendings here are passionately invested in residents as learners and as people. My co-residents are incredible and they are a huge source of support and encouragement to me. Chicago has everything you would ever need from a city.”
| Undergraduate | The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign |
| Medical School | The University of Illinois College of Medicine |
| Clinical Area of Interest | Rhinology, Sleep, Pediatrics, Facial Plastics |
| Research Interests | Sleep/Airway, Neurotology, Interspecialty Perceptions, Quality and Process Improvement |
| Publication | Wilson J, Reid KJ, Braun RI, Abbott SM, Zee PC. Habitual light exposure relative to circadian timing in delayed sleep-wake phase disorder. Sleep. 2018. doi:10.1093/sleep/zsy166 |
| “This program couples rigorous and broad surgical training across all subspecialties with immensely supportive co-residents and faculty. I chose UIC because I knew I would learn everything I need to become an accomplished surgeon surrounded by colleagues who care and want me to succeed.” | |
1st YEAR RESIDENTS – CLASS OF 2025
| Undergraduate | University of California, Berkeley |
| Medical School | Albany Medical College |
| Clinical Area of Interest | Otology, Rhinology, Pediatric ENT |
| Research Interests | Hearing Loss, Skull Base Surgery, and Everything else |
| Publication | Lee JA, Schaffer CE, Mehta CH, Close MF, Nguyen SA, Meyer TA. Impact of early gastroesophageal reflux disease on childhood otologic outcomes. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2020 Apr 27;134:110069. doi: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2020.110069. PMID: 32371356 |
| “The otolaryngology residency program at UIC prides itself in a culture of collegiality and a tradition of clinical excellence. I am excited to become part of the family!” | |
| Undergraduate | Northwestern University |
| Medical School | University of Illinois Chicago College of Medicine |
| Clinical Area of Interest | Pediatric Otolaryngology, Otology |
| Research Interests | Pediatric Vestibular Function Testing, Innovations in Medical Education |
| Publication | Martin E. “Frustrating and Terrifying: What It’s Like to Be in Medical School During the COVID-19 Pandemic.” ENTtoday. 2020 May 11. Accessible at https://www.enttoday.org/article/frustrating-and-terrifying-what-its-like-to-be-in-medical-school-during-the-covid-19-pandemic/ |
| “While attending medical school at UIC, I was able to see first-hand the many strengths of this program, especially the diversity of training environments and camaraderie among residents and attendings. I am grateful to have the opportunity to continue my training here and excited about my future at UIC.” | |
| Undergraduate | Boston University |
| Medical School | Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine |
| Clinical Area of Interest | General, Rhinology, Laryngology, Facial Plastics, Pediatrics |
| Research Interests | Facial Nerve Reanimation, Postoperative complications in patients with head and neck cancer undergoing undergoing free flap reconstructive surgeries |
| Publication | Friedman JJ, Schumacher JK, Papagiannopoulos P, Tajudeen BA, Batra PS. Targeted 648-Gene Profiling Demonstrates Low Tumor Mutational Burden in Olfactory Neuroblastoma. International Forum of Allergy & Rhinology. Accepted for publication April 20, 2020. |
| “I am so excited to have matched at UIC! When rotating here, I experienced firsthand the camaraderie among the residents and was impressed by the strength of surgical training, breadth of exposure to all the subspecialties, the ability to work with various patient populations at multiple sites, and the overall family feel of the program”. | |