Residency Program
Message from the Program Director Heading link
Thank you for your interest in the Otolaryngology- HNS Program at the University of Illinois College of Medicine. Finding the program where you can thrive personally and develop into the surgeon you aspire to be is a daunting task! As a proud graduate of this program, I would like to highlight the strengths of our training program.
Our residents are provided with outstanding clinical training in a collegial environment. Our faculty is extraordinarily talented and diverse and have dedicated themselves to be exceptional clinicians and educators.
We have many training locations all within close proximity to each other. Our residents have the opportunity to rotate at multiple sites in addition to our university hospital including Cook County Hospital, Jesse Brown VA hospital, and Lurie’s Children’s hospital as well as private hospital settings. With this wide array of practice settings, our residents receive outstanding, well rounded training in every subspecialty.
The level of autonomy our residents are able to achieve during their training is frequently touted as the resident’s favorite aspect of the program. We are able to achieve this while still having abundant oversight and a robust safety net, and our residents uniformly feel well prepared for independent practice when they graduate.
We have a structured mentoring program to guide residents both in their professional development and in their research endeavors. Having this support structure allows us to identify opportunities for growth throughout our resident’s training.
We have a long history of competitive fellowship and job placement for our graduating residents. Our residents receive outstanding training that prepares them for a career in general Otolaryngology, or for entering subspecialty fellowships. About half of our residents pursue a career in general Otolaryngology, and half go on to competitive fellowship programs.
But given all of the above, I believe the number one strength of our program is our resident complement. Our residents are incredible individuals who truly care about each other and support each other throughout their rotations. I am proud of the supportive workplace culture that we have fostered over the years and I am dedicated to continuing this as program director.
I look forward to sharing more about our program with you. Please contact us with further questions.
Tatiana Dixon
Residency Program Director
LInks Heading link
Welcome Letter from the Chiefs Heading link
To prospective residents:
Congratulations on your decision to pursue otolaryngology as your future specialty!
On behalf of the the University of Illinois College of Medicine Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery department, we are delighted to extend our warmest welcome to you as you embark on this exciting journey.
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Chiefs
John Wilson, Brittany Abud, Natalia HajnasOur residency program has a longstanding tradition of excellence. We have dedicated faculty, strong clinical exposure and exceptional camaraderie among our residents. Our program provides us broad and diverse exposure to all facets of Otolaryngology. Our case volume and variety is impressive. We pride ourselves on early, safe autonomy with senior residents highly motivated to jump into the teaching role. While our core training grounds are at the University of Illinois Hospital, we spend a substantial amount of time at nearby hospitals including Cook County, VA, Lurie Children’s and Northshore. If you ask any of us, we find this opportunity to have multiple training sites as one of the strengths of the program, allowing us such unique learning opportunities, from the experienced staff to the patient population. Not only is this great for our surgical training, but also in career planning, in which direct exposure to different hospital systems and level of academia is irreplaceable to make decisions in the future.
Over the past several years, our residents have consistently matched at top fellowship programs in their desired subspecialties. Each of us this year, had great success matching into our top fellowship choices. That being said, should we have not had a passion to pursue these fellowships, we all would have felt prepared to graduate and practice General Otolaryngology independently.
Residency has been such a formative time both professionally and personally in our lives. The camaraderie within the department is genuine and caring. The residents have an amicable relationship with the faculty, who are always approachable and available to help with questions or concerns. The diversity in backgrounds among faculty and residents is also a unique facet of the program and one that unequivocally enhances our training and our ability to empathize with our patients.
As Chief Residents, we have had the privilege of witnessing firsthand the growth and development of our colleagues and friends within the program. The camaraderie and support that exist among residents make our program truly special. Our residents not only excel academically but also foster an environment of collaboration, inclusivity, and mentorship, which we believe is essential for a fulfilling residency experience. Whether its our robust clinical experiences, cutting-edge research opportunities, or the vibrant and diverse community in Chicago, we believe that our program is a place where you can thrive and make a meaningful impact in the field of Otolaryngology.
When we graduate, we will be proud to say that we have trained at the University of Illinois College of Medicine. Thank you for considering us for your residency training. We hope you join us!
All the best,
Natalia Hajnas, John Wilson and Brittany Abud
Application and Selection Process Heading link
Our program fills 3 residency positions each year.
Applicants seeking a PGY-1 Categorical position starting June will need to apply through ERAS. All 3 positions are filled through the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP).
When selecting an applicant for an interview, the Resident Recruitment Committee will evaluate the strength of your application with all of its components, including:
- The Dean’s Letter (Medical Student Performance Evaluation)
- Strong letters of recommendation
- Third-year Core Clerkship grades
- Research experience
- Personal statement – mission fit
- USMLE Step 2 Score preferable
- Leadership roles
- Service to the underserved
Interview Day Planning
We will schedule in person interview sessions for the recruitment cycle. There will be an optional social mixer for those who would like to get to know our current residents and learn more about our program.
We’ve designed an interview process with the aim of fostering mutual understanding. Our Chair will deliver a presentation preceding the interview sessions. The interviews are organized into two groups, each engaging with three distinct interview teams consisting of two faculty members and one team with three Chief Residents. Following or preceding the interview sessions, candidates will engage with the residents, including a tour of UI Health. Scheduled pauses in the morning or afternoon will allow applicants to reset before the next round.