5th YEAR RESIDENTS – CLASS OF 2024

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
Publication 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.”
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.”
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.”

4th 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
Presentation 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 Weinreich HM, Martin E, Agrawal Y. “Overview of Dizziness in Practice.” Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 2021 Oct;54(5):839-852. doi: 10.1016/j.otc.2021.05.008.
“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”.

3rd YEAR RESIDENTS – CLASS OF 2026

Undergraduate Arizona State University
Medical School University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford
Clinical Area of Interest General Otolaryngology, Laryngology, Rhinology
Research Interests Sound quality of videoconferencing platforms during voice rehabilitation telemedicine visits, metal jewelry and accidental burns from monopolar cautery in the operating room, trans-nasal esophagoscopy as a screening tool for esophageal cancer in vulnerable populations
Publication LaCroix AN, Blumenstein N, Tully M, Baxter LC, Rogalsky C. Effects of prosody on the cognitive and neural resources supporting sentence comprehension: A behavioral and lesion-symptom mapping study. Brain Lang. 2020 Apr;203:104756
“I was eager to stay at UIC for residency because of the excellent mentorship I received as a medical student. I was always impressed by the autonomy of fifth year residents I got to work with, and it’s an honor to follow in their footsteps, treating a diverse patient population with an abundance of role models and supportive co-residents.”
Undergraduate University of Southern California
Medical School California Northstate University College of Medicine
Clinical Area of Interest General Otolaryngology
Research Interests General Otolaryngology, Neurotology, Pediatric Otolaryngology
Publication Bruss D, Abouzari M, Sarna B, Goshtasbi K, Lee A, Birkenbeuel J, Djalilian HR. Migraine Features in Patients With Recurrent Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo. Otol Neurotol. 2021 March
“UIC offers strong training in a supportive learning environment. We treat a wide range of patients and pathologies. The faculty are invested in our success and push us to become the best resident physicians we can be. It’s also amazing to train in such a vibrant city with so much to offer in terms of food, live music, and fellow young professionals.”
Undergraduate University of Toronto
Medical School Boston University School of Medicine
Clinical Area of Interest Facial Plastics and Reconstruction, Head and Neck, General Otolaryngology
Research Interests Social Determinants of Health, Medical Education, Facial Plastics and Reconstruction
Publication Cheung, AY, Kan, KY, Jang S, Cohen, M, Levi, JR. Socioeconomic variables as a predictor of indication for pediatric adenotonsillectomy. Int J Pediatric Otorhinolaryngol. 2020; 136:110181.
“When applying for residency, I was looking for a program that combined high quality training with a diverse set of supportive mentors and coresidents. I was also looking for an institution that was dedicated to health equity and cared deeply for patients from all walks of life. I found these attributes at UIC, and I am absolutely thrilled to have matched here!”

2nd YEAR RESIDENTS – CLASS OF 2027

Undergraduate Washington University in St. Louis
Medical School University of Illinois College of Medicine – Peoria
Clinical Area of Interest Pediatrics, General Otolaryngology
Research Interests Pediatric Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Oncology, Clinical Outcomes
Publication Kozak KJ, Achim VD. Individual head and neck screening: Initiating a dialogue about best approach. Am J Otolaryngol. 2022 Mar-Apr;43(2):103302. doi: 10.1016/j.amjoto.2021.103302. Epub 2021 Dec 3. PMID: 34894446.
“From the day I stepped foot in the ENT department here following my first year of medical school, I was made to feel at home. The faculty are all approachable, incredibly supportive of the residents, invested in our success, and genuinely nice people to be around. The resident room is an impressive but friendly and down to earth group who are great examples of the well-rounded training at this program.”
Undergraduate University of Kansas
Medical School Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University
Clinical Area of Interest Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Head and Neck Surgical Oncology, General Otolaryngology
Research Interests Head and Neck Reconstruction, Surgical Innovation
Publication Pankey AN, Chandar A, Isaacson G. Safety of Ibuprofen in Children With G6PD Deficiency: A Systematic Review. Laryngoscope. 2022 Jun;132(6):1300-1305. doi: 10.1002/lary.29868. Epub 2021 Sep 21. PMID: 34546579.
“UIC embodies everything I was looking for in a residency program and it is an honor to train here. Our faculty are truly invested in resident education and the variety of clinical training sites provides a comprehensive and robust training experience. I am grateful to live in such an energetic city and it is a privilege to serve the incredibly diverse population of Chicago.
Undergraduate Johns Hopkins University
Medical School University of Illinois College of Medicine
Clinical Area of Interest Head and Neck, Otology, General Otolaryngology
Research Interests Head and Neck Cancer, Facial Trauma, Clinical Outcomes Improvement
Publication Trapp LP, Koo EY, Lee V, Yu J. Metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma to the sinonasal cavity: A case report and literature review. Oto Case Reports 2022;24:100449. doi:10.1016/j.xocr.2022.100449
“As a medical student, I was struck by the friendliness, collegiality, and professionalism of the residents and attendings in this department. From day one, everyone in the department will help you challenge yourself and succeed. I’m very excited to continue my training within a group that brings this kind of energy to our patients in Chicago.” 

1st YEAR RESIDENTS – CLASS OF 2028

Undergraduate Loyola University Chicago
Medical School University of Illinois Chicago
Clinical Area of Interest Facial Plastics and Reconstruction, Pediatric Otolaryngology, General Otolaryngology
Research Interests Psychosocial Determinants of Health, Global Health, Improvement of Surgical Outcomes
Publication Lupieri, A., Patnam, M., Wenig, B. (2023, July 8-12). Head and Neck Cancer Patients’ Perspectives on Enrollment in Phase 0 Trials [Poster presentation]. American Head and Neck Society 11th International Conference, Montréal, Canada.
“I am excited to continue my training at UIC as an otolaryngology resident. Not only am I confident that this program will offer excellent clinical and surgical training, but it will likewise allow me to pursue my research interests while fostering a supportive environment dedicated to the health and wellbeing of its patients and department. With the excellent training, collegial atmosphere, and abundant opportunities for professional growth, I look forward to continuing my career with the Otolaryngology Department at UIC.”
Undergraduate University of Miami
Medical School University of Illinois at Chicago
Clinical Area of Interest Laryngology, Facial Plastics and Reconstruction, General otolaryngology
Research Interests Surgical Innovation, Medical Education
Publication Cristel, R., McGinn, L., Kumar, S., Gonzalez, M.F., Syed, U., Rubenfeld, A.. (2021, Nov). Thyroid hemangioma and concurrent papillary thyroid carcinoma. Otolaryngology Case Reports, 21(November), 1-3.
“I believe my training at UIC though medical school and now in residency will equip me with the knowledge and skills to confidently work through any challenge my career as an otolaryngologist may present. I have the pleasure to work within a department that values health equity for our diverse patient population and that places an emphasis on resident education and autonomy. I consider myself lucky to have been welcomed into such a supportive team.”
Undergraduate Florida State University
Medical School Tufts University School of Medicine
Clinical Area of Interest All subspecialities currently, planning to do a fellowship.
Research Interests I’m strongly interested in research, spanning mechanistic basic science work to systemic clinical and epidemiological investigations. Currently working on a paper involving global health and Otolaryngology after spending a month rotating in Ghana in medical school.
Publication Sheffield C, Scott A, Choice of Suture Technique may Mitigate Figure of 8 Deformity in Slide Tracheoplasty, Triological Society Combined Sections Meeting Podium Presentation, January 2023
I was thrilled to match at UIC, because it exemplifies the qualities, I was searching for in a residency program, a broad exposure to all subspecialties of Otolaryngology, a diverse patient population in a lively big city, and most importantly a collegial and supportive culture. Coming from Boston I was thrilled to find Chicago is larger, with a fantastic music scene, a 24/7 transit system, yet is more affordable. My time here has confirmed my extremely positive interview day impression, that this is a department of incredibly smart, yet down to earth and friendly residents and faculty.”

5th YEAR RESIDENTS – CLASS OF 2024

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

Publication
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.”

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.”

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.”

4th 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
Weinreich HM, Martin E, Agrawal Y. “Overview of Dizziness in Practice.” Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 2021 Oct;54(5):839-852. doi: 10.1016/j.otc.2021.05.008.

“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”.

3rd YEAR RESIDENTS – CLASS OF 2026

Undergraduate
Arizona State University

Medical School
University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford

Clinical Area of Interest
General Otolaryngology, Laryngology, Rhinology

Research Interests
Sound quality of videoconferencing platforms during voice rehabilitation telemedicine visits, metal jewelry and accidental burns from monopolar cautery in the operating room, trans-nasal esophagoscopy as a screening tool for esophageal cancer in vulnerable populations

Publication
LaCroix AN, Blumenstein N, Tully M, Baxter LC, Rogalsky C. Effects of prosody on the cognitive and neural resources supporting sentence comprehension: A behavioral and lesion-symptom mapping study. Brain Lang. 2020 Apr;203:104756

“I was eager to stay at UIC for residency because of the excellent mentorship I received as a medical student. I was always impressed by the autonomy of fifth year residents I got to work with, and it’s an honor to follow in their footsteps, treating a diverse patient population with an abundance of role models and supportive co-residents.”

Undergraduate
University of Southern California

Medical School
California Northstate University College of Medicine

Clinical Area of Interest
General Otolaryngology

Research Interests
General Otolaryngology, Neurotology, Pediatric Otolaryngology

Publication
Bruss D, Abouzari M, Sarna B, Goshtasbi K, Lee A, Birkenbeuel J, Djalilian HR. Migraine Features in Patients With Recurrent Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo. Otol Neurotol. 2021 March

“UIC offers strong training in a supportive learning environment. We treat a wide range of patients and pathologies. The faculty are invested in our success and push us to become the best resident physicians we can be. It’s also amazing to train in such a vibrant city with so much to offer in terms of food, live music, and fellow young professionals.”

Undergraduate
University of Toronto

Medical School
Boston University School of Medicine

Clinical Area of Interest
Facial Plastics and Reconstruction, Head and Neck, General Otolaryngology

Research Interests
Social Determinants of Health, Medical Education, Facial Plastics and Reconstruction

Publication
Cheung, AY, Kan, KY, Jang S, Cohen, M, Levi, JR. Socioeconomic variables as a predictor of indication for pediatric adenotonsillectomy. Int J Pediatric Otorhinolaryngol. 2020; 136:110181.

“When applying for residency, I was looking for a program that combined high quality training with a diverse set of supportive mentors and coresidents. I was also looking for an institution that was dedicated to health equity and cared deeply for patients from all walks of life. I found these attributes at UIC, and I am absolutely thrilled to have matched here!”

2nd YEAR RESIDENTS – CLASS OF 2027

Undergraduate
Washington University in St. Louis

Medical School
University of Illinois College of Medicine – Peoria

Clinical Area of Interest
Pediatrics, General Otolaryngology

Research Interests
Pediatric Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Oncology, Clinical Outcomes

Publication
Kozak KJ, Achim VD. Individual head and neck screening: Initiating a dialogue about best approach. Am J Otolaryngol. 2022 Mar-Apr;43(2):103302. doi: 10.1016/j.amjoto.2021.103302. Epub 2021 Dec 3. PMID: 34894446.

“From the day I stepped foot in the ENT department here following my first year of medical school, I was made to feel at home. The faculty are all approachable, incredibly supportive of the residents, invested in our success, and genuinely nice people to be around. The resident room is an impressive but friendly and down to earth group who are great examples of the well-rounded training at this program.”

Undergraduate
University of Kansas

Medical School
Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University

Clinical Area of Interest
Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Head and Neck Surgical Oncology, General Otolaryngology

Research Interests
Head and Neck Reconstruction, Surgical Innovation

Publication
Pankey AN, Chandar A, Isaacson G. Safety of Ibuprofen in Children With G6PD Deficiency: A Systematic Review. Laryngoscope. 2022 Jun;132(6):1300-1305. doi: 10.1002/lary.29868. Epub 2021 Sep 21. PMID: 34546579.

“UIC embodies everything I was looking for in a residency program and it is an honor to train here. Our faculty are truly invested in resident education and the variety of clinical training sites provides a comprehensive and robust training experience. I am grateful to live in such an energetic city and it is a privilege to serve the incredibly diverse population of Chicago.

Undergraduate
Johns Hopkins University

Medical School
University of Illinois College of Medicine

Clinical Area of Interest
Head and Neck, Otology, General Otolaryngology

Research Interests
Head and Neck Cancer, Facial Trauma, Clinical Outcomes Improvement

Publication
Trapp LP, Koo EY, Lee V, Yu J. Metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma to the sinonasal cavity: A case report and literature review. Oto Case Reports 2022;24:100449. doi:10.1016/j.xocr.2022.100449

“As a medical student, I was struck by the friendliness, collegiality, and professionalism of the residents and attendings in this department. From day one, everyone in the department will help you challenge yourself and succeed. I’m very excited to continue my training within a group that brings this kind of energy to our patients in Chicago.” 

1st YEAR RESIDENTS – CLASS OF 2028

Undergraduate
Loyola University Chicago

Medical School
University of Illinois Chicago

Clinical Area of Interest
Facial Plastics and Reconstruction, Pediatric Otolaryngology, General Otolaryngology

Research Interests
Psychosocial Determinants of Health, Global Health, Improvement of Surgical Outcomes

Publication
Lupieri, A., Patnam, M., Wenig, B. (2023, July 8-12). Head and Neck Cancer Patients’ Perspectives on Enrollment in Phase 0 Trials [Poster presentation]. American Head and Neck Society 11th International Conference, Montréal, Canada.

“I am excited to continue my training at UIC as an otolaryngology resident. Not only am I confident that this program will offer excellent clinical and surgical training, but it will likewise allow me to pursue my research interests while fostering a supportive environment dedicated to the health and wellbeing of its patients and department. With the excellent training, collegial atmosphere, and abundant opportunities for professional growth, I look forward to continuing my career with the Otolaryngology Department at UIC.”

Undergraduate
University of Miami

Medical School
University of Illinois at Chicago

Clinical Area of Interest
Laryngology, Facial Plastics and Reconstruction, General otolaryngology

Research Interests
Surgical Innovation, Medical Education

Publication
Cristel, R., McGinn, L., Kumar, S., Gonzalez, M.F., Syed, U., Rubenfeld, A.. (2021, Nov). Thyroid hemangioma and concurrent papillary thyroid carcinoma. Otolaryngology Case Reports, 21(November), 1-3

“I believe my training at UIC though medical school and now in residency will equip me with the knowledge and skills to confidently work through any challenge my career as an otolaryngologist may present. I have the pleasure to work within a department that values health equity for our diverse patient population and that places an emphasis on resident education and autonomy. I consider myself lucky to have been welcomed into such a supportive team.”

Undergraduate
Florida State University

Medical School
Tufts University School of Medicine

Clinical Area of Interest
All subspecialities currently, planning to do a fellowship.

Research Interests
I’m strongly interested in research, spanning mechanistic basic science work to systemic clinical and epidemiological investigations. Currently working on a paper involving global health and Otolaryngology after spending a month rotating in Ghana in medical school.

Publication
Sheffield C, Scott A, Choice of Suture Technique may Mitigate Figure of 8 Deformity in Slide Tracheoplasty, Triological Society Combined Sections Meeting Podium Presentation, January 2023

I was thrilled to match at UIC, because it exemplifies the qualities, I was searching for in a residency program, a broad exposure to all subspecialties of Otolaryngology, a diverse patient population in a lively big city, and most importantly a collegial and supportive culture. Coming from Boston I was thrilled to find Chicago is larger, with a fantastic music scene, a 24/7 transit system, yet is more affordable. My time here has confirmed my extremely positive interview day impression, that this is a department of incredibly smart, yet down to earth and friendly residents and faculty.”