College of Medicine
UNMC_Acronym_Vert_sm_4c
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Home — College of Medicine — Department of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery — Residency — Curriculum

Curriculum

Our curriculum provides residents the tools to function and succeed in today’s complex health care environment. The residency leadership recognizes the various learning modalities of residents and brings all of this to our educational experience. 

Our weekly core curriculum is a conference-based format. The didactic conferences are held from 6:30 to 10 a.m. on Wednesdays. Each conference is led by an attending faculty and chief resident(s). During these conferences, a two-year cycle of topics are covered. Conferences are divided equally into subject areas: rhinology/skull base, laryngology, otology, head and neck surgery, facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, and general otolaryngology. Journal club, grand rounds, quality improvement and case conferences are all held monthly. 

Our residents will provide services through our primary clinical partner, Nebraska Medicine, as well as through the Omaha VA Medical Center and Children's Nebraska.

Residents will gain experience in the major divisions of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery, including:

  • General ear, nose and throat
  • Plastic and reconstructive surgery
  • Craniofacial anomalies
  • Head and neck oncology
  • Otology/neurotology
  • Care of the professional voice/laryngology
  • Rhinology and sinus disease
  • Facial/oral prosthetics and dental oncology
  • Allergy
  • Pediatric otolaryngology
  • Sleep surgery
  • Transgender cosmetic and laryngeal surgery
  • Anterior and lateral skull base surgery
Annual In-training Examination
This exam is held in cooperation with the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.
Focused Lifelong Education Xperience Course

This training is provided through the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and usually held September through April of each year. Specialty topics include:

  • Chronic rhinosinusitis with polyps
  • Glottic and subglottic stenosis 
  • Oropharyngeal cancer update 2020: HPV, robotic surgery, and de-escalation 
  • Acoustic neuroma 
  • Pediatric obstructive sleep apnea
  • Practice management 
  • General otolaryngology and sleep medicine 
  • Facial plastic and reconstructive surgery 
Grand Rounds/Quality Improvement
  • Conducted on a monthly basis with one session each month dedicated to quality improvement.
  • Designed to expand educational opportunities by addressing unique and distinctive topics.
  • Local and national experts are invited to speak and residents present on a topic of their choosing.
Case Conference
This is a chief resident-run conference conducted on a weekly basis. It includes a high-level review of upcoming cases and examples to further solidify surgical and post-op management.
Journal Club
  • Quarterly dinner meetings for faculty and residents.
  • Thorough, systematic review and discussion of current articles.
  • Community-wide clinical practices discussion with private practice otolaryngologists.
Tumor Board Conference
Weekly conference of residents, faculty, and other members of the medical community to educate, discuss diagnoses, and provide treatment planning of head and neck tumor patients.
Pathology Conference
Once a month, the surgical pathology of all head and neck tumor specimens are reviewed. The conference is attended by the otolaryngology-head and neck surgery faculty, residents, and medical students. The pathology is presented by the surgical pathology faculty. Critical diagnostic features are reviewed.
Radiology Conference
Once a month, the radiologic pathology of head and neck centered around several themes each session. The conference is attended by the otolaryngology-head and neck surgery faculty, residents, and medical students. The pathology is presented by our very experience head and neck radiologists.
Temporal Bone Lab
We are privileged to have a state-of-the-art temporal bone drilling lab with eight drilling stations. On a bi-monthly basis, the residents and teaching faculty convene for a lecture followed by a related temporal bone dissection. There is an organized curriculum tailored to the resident’s level of experience. The temporal bone curriculum generally repeats on an annual basis.
Local and National Conferences
  • Opportunities to attend and present at regional and national meetings.
  • Our department host an annual “Scary Cases Conference” around Halloween with resident participation opportunities.