George Washington University Program

Program Identity & Fit

GW's otolaryngology program is a small, university-affiliated academic surgery residency (8 total residents) built around a multi-site rotation structure spanning George Washington University Hospital, Children's National Medical Center, Holy Cross Hospital, and, for senior residents, Kaiser Permanente's private outpatient/ambulatory setting. The curriculum is deliberately fellowship-mimicking in its final two years, with dedicated 4-month subspecialty blocks (Otology/Facial Plastics, Laryngology/Rhinology, Head and Neck Oncology/Endocrine) under fellowship-trained faculty, and residents complete a mandatory research proposal by end of PGY-2 with protected PGY-3 research time and access to NIH mentorship. Simulation infrastructure (COMET otology/skull base lab, WISER robotics, cadaver temporal bone and sinus labs) and partnership with Walter Reed for microvascular and sleep surgery cadaver training signal an emphasis on procedural skill-building despite the program's small size. Alumni outcomes split fairly evenly between competitive subspecialty fellowships (pediatric ENT, head and neck oncology, laryngology, facial plastics) and direct private practice, with a notable subset returning to academic faculty roles, including GW's own.