Research Track

The RUSH Otolaryngology Residency offers a research track which is completed during the five-year residency program. This track is ideal for applicants who would like to prepare for an academic career by incorporating graduate level research education into residency without extending their otolaryngology training beyond five years.

  • Residents will complete the RUSH Master of Science in Clinical Research (MSCR) degree program at RUSH during the first two years of training. Residents will complete the classroom didactics for the program during their PG1 year and have a rotation schedule that will allow attendance at class. During the PG2 year the didactic program is primarily independent study which is completed concurrently with clinical rotations. Additionally, residents will have a three-month research block to complete their thesis project and prepare it for publication.
  • Tuition for this program is fully funded by RUSH and the Department of Otolaryngology.
  • In their PG3 and PG4 years, residents will complete a second major research project and submit a Centralized Otolaryngology Research Efforts (CORE) grant application to the AAO-HNS. Residents will have a second three-month research block early in the PG4 year.
  • Residents will be mentored by the Otolaryngology research director, Mihir Bhayani, MD, to achieve their research productivity goals. They will also work closely with other faculty depending on their research interests.
  • The department has a research coordinator to provide support to residents and faculty with IRB submission, regulatory requirements and ongoing research activities.

How to Apply

  1. Candidates will receive a letter of invitation after the Match.
  2. Candidates will submit a one page personal statement to the Program Director by July 10. describing their interest in the research track, their past experiences working in research, and how they will incorporate the MSCR into their long-term career goals.
  3. The program director will decide whether to accept the candidate into the research track.
  4. The candidate must submit an application to the MSCR program through RUSH University Graduate College by July 30.