At the moment, we are engaged in conducting a systematic literature review to summarize all cases of medical malpractice in the field of otolaryngology. By analyzing articles from both PubMed and various law journal databases (i.e., WestLaw, LexisNexis) we are hoping to identify trends in ENT malpractice over time, categorizing each case of malpractice by ENT subspecialty and by location. Analyzing malpractice cases by location may reveal further insights about the quality of ENT care being offered in rural areas vs urban areas, although our analysis is not yet final.
The Role of Rural Medicine Exposure for Otolaryngology Residents
This project is a scoping review looking at current literature regarding the incidence of rural training opportunities for ENT residents. This is followed by a survey to ENT program directors regarding the ways their programs implement rural exposure and any barriers to integrating rural rotations.
Reformatting the Hearing Questionnaire for Unhoused Populations
This prospective interventional study will create a qualitative hearing survey specifically for unhoused populations with hearing loss. After screening patients with hearing loss, we plan to fit them with hearing aids or other modalities as recommended by audiology and otolaryngology team. We plan to utilize this survey to evaluate the pre- and post-invention impact on patients’ quality of life.
The Geographic Distribution of Otolaryngologists and Sociodemographic Factors of Populations Most Underserved
Access to otolaryngology care in the United States is unevenly distributed, with substantial disparities between rural and urban regions. In this cross-sectional county-level analysis of all 3,144 U.S. counties, practicing otolaryngologists were identified using the National Provider Identifier database and mapped to counties using federal ZIP-to-county crosswalk data. County-level sociodemographic characteristics were obtained from the American Community Survey and Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates, and rural–urban status was defined using Rural–Urban Continuum Codes. Overall, 65.8% of U.S. counties lacked a practicing otolaryngologist. Urban counties were significantly more likely to have otolaryngology access than rural counties. After adjusting for region, poverty, population size, and racial composition, rural counties remained significantly less likely to have access. Population size was the strongest predictor of access. These findings demonstrate that geographic access to otolaryngology care in the United States is primarily driven by rurality and population density rather than regional or demographic differences, highlighting persistent structural disparities in specialty care.
HEARMe Program
High School Engagement in ENT Awareness, Recruitment, and Mentorship
“The opportunity for those without an equal voice to be heard”
Overview
The HEARMe program is a pilot initiative within the RUSH Community Service Initiatives Program (RCSIP) and part of the CURE Initiative, designed to introduce high school students from diverse backgrounds to careers in Otolaryngology (ENT) and allied healthcare fields. The program emphasizes early exposure, mentorship, and representation to help students explore pathways in medicine.
Goal
HEARMe aims to increase diversity in medicine by empowering high school students with early exposure, mentorship, and meaningful opportunities in healthcare—particularly in ENT.
Mission
HEARMe is built on four core principles:
- Help students explore medical careers
- Educate students on ENT subspecialties
- Advance mentorship and representation
- Recruit the next generation of healthcare professionals
Program Structure
HEARMe offers a dual-track experience combining:
Clinical Experience
- Shadowing opportunities with ENT physicians
- Exposure to patient care and clinical environments
- Rotations based on student interest and availability
- Supervision and support from medical student mentors
Research Experience
- One-on-one mentorship with medical students
- Development of a capstone research project
- Weekly check-ins and structured guidance
- Final presentation with potential symposium submission (funding provided)
Student Experience
- 10–15 students selected from established pipeline programs
- Participation during July through late March
- Personalized schedules and structured training sessions
- Professional development focused on patient-centered care
- Expected commitment:
- Clinical shadowing (biweekly)
- ~8 hours/week on research
Application Process
- Applications open mid-June; decisions released on a rolling basis
- Requirements include:
- Application essay
- Two letters of recommendation
- Demonstrated academic commitment
- Selected applicants may be invited for interviews
- Final acceptance is contingent on professionalism and compliance requirements
Partnerships
The program collaborates with:
- Rush University pipeline programs (e.g., Building Blocks)
- CURE Initiative
- Rush Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery