Millcreek Community Hospital Otolaryngology/ Facial Plastic Surgery Residency

Program Director: Kirk W. Steehler, D.O., F.O.C.O.O.
Telephone: (814)864-9994
Email: ksteehler@aol.com

Mission Statement

The otolaryngology head and neck surgery residency program at Millcreek Community Hospital is dedicated to providing resident training in both contemporary and fundamental elements of the field. It is the goal of the program to provide residents with tools and resources enabling them to obtain a comprehensive fund of knowledge and excellent surgical skills prior to completion of their training. Resident education is provided through didactic sessions, hands on workshops and courses commensurate with their level of training, and a broad operative exposure. Research and academic activity is encourage and supported by faculty. This faculty strives to create an environment that is constantly enhancing the residents’ medical knowledge and surgical principles.

Program Description

Rotations

PGY-1(surgical internship) – The 1^st year intern/resident will follow the rotational guidelines set forth by the AOCOOHNS, which includes:

4 months hospital-based general surgery

1 month medical pediatrics

1 month anesthesia

1 month intensive care unit

1 month emergency room

1 month surgical subspecialty (neurological, vascular,
maxillofacial, plastic, cardiovascular, general)

1 month medical subspecialty (pulmonary, neurology, family
medicine, gastroenterology, dermatology, internal medicine)

2 months Elective (from surgical subspecialty or medical
subspecialty lists above)

All rotations are done within the Millcreek Health system. The intern will be responsible for all house staff duties, meetings and lectures required by the hospital as well as a block of night call.

In addition to these responsibilities, the resident will be required to attend all ENT journal clubs, which are held currently on the last Thursday of each month, as well as participation in the Masters of Science in Medical Education Degree offered through LECOM. When available the resident will take part in any didactic sessions implemented by the program director or senior residents for board review. All procedural logs are to be kept by the resident and totaled for the annual report which is completed at the end of the first year and submitted to the AOCOOHNS.

PGY-2 – The 2^nd year resident begins to take part in the general practice of otolaryngology. Responsibilities include:

• Regular rotation on-call for the ENT service on nights and weekends
• Evaluation of consults with direct supervision
• Observation and participation in surgical procedures and the clinical aspects of otolaryngology
• Journal Club
• Resident didactic sessions
• Masters Program
• Required staff meetings for Millcreek Community Hospital (MCH)
• Surgical logs

Residents also staff a clinic twice a week which is proctored by an attending and a senior resident. The resident at this level will evaluate post operative patients returning to the clinic for check up as well as clinical observation with an attending physician. New responsibilities include:

• Participation in the American Academy of Otolaryngology Annual in-service exam (required)
• Participation in a Home Study Course given by the AAO-HNS
• Original Research paper
• Begin to learn the basics of allergy and audiology testing
• Present lectures to rotating students
• Begin the first of four three month rotations in Plastic surgery
• ENT presentations at MCH and LECOM
• Attendance in a Basic Science Course at the end of the 1^st year
• Attend a weekend course, such as the Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery course given by UPMC in Pittsburgh, PA, if time is available

The resident should become proficient in the following procedures: myringotomy with ear tube placement, T&A, Cyst Excision, Nasal Fracture Reduction, Small Head and Neck Cases, Submandibular Gland Excisions, Abscess Drainage, control of Epistaxis, Fiberoptic Laryngoscopy, and Tracheostomy

PGY-3 – Entering the second year, the resident will continue to build upon the previous year’s experiences and responsibilities and start to mentor the incoming PGY-2 resident as well as the intern and any students on rotation. The responsibilities in the clinic setting as well as the operating theater will be increased. Continued participation in the Allergy Department for intraoperative testing is required. The resident will become proficient in the diagnosis and treatment of new patients in the clinic as well as conduct basic office procedures under the supervision of an attending. Once again the responsibilities include participation in the annual in-service exam, Home Study Course and an original research paper are required as well as surgical logs. The resident may also attend the annual OCOO Conference.

Surgically, the resident should develop specific proficiency in Direct Laryngoscopy, Open Nasal Fracture Reduction, Maxillofacial Plating, Perform major portions of portions of Parotidectomy, Endoscopic Sinus Surgery, Thyroidectomy, Parathyroid Exploration, Tympanoplasty.

PGY-4 – Entering the third year the resident is considered a senior level resident and is responsible for mentoring both the PGY-3, PGY-2, intern and any students on service, as well as assist the chief resident as needed. The resident should develop leadership skills and be able to coordinate Journal Club assignments for the residency. Again the resident must take the annual in-service exam, original research paper and may continue the Home study course if not completed. The resident will attend a temporal bone course as well as increase the responsibility of surgery to include otologic surgery.

Surgically, the resident should develop specific proficiency in Thyroidectomy, Parotidectomy, Parathyroidectomy Tympanoplasty, Endoscopic Sinus Surgery, Laryngectomy, Radical Neck Dissection, Mastoidectomy, Rhinoplasty, major portions of Face Lift and Blepharoplasty

PGY-5 – The final year of the residency require that the resident be increasingly self sufficient and responsible for all the residents in the program. The senior resident should attend to the development of the other residents as well as coordinate the surgical and call schedules for the residency. During this time the resident will become proficient in Facelift, Rhinoplasty – open or closed, Blepharoplasty, Radical Neck, Laryngectomy, Tympanomastoidectomy, Myocutaneous Flaps as well as the appropriate surgical codes for all procedures. The senior resident should also become proficient in office management, office procedures and coding, and clinical management of patients. The resident will take the annual in-service exam, attend the annual OCOO conference and take the written boards for certification by the AOBOO.

Message from Chief Resident, Michael Pascolini, D.O.:

Hello! Thank you for visiting our otolaryngology residency website. I would briefly like to share some information about our program and the Erie area. We are a full service program based out of Millcreek Community Hospital. Working with the only otolaryngology practice in the county gives us a great opportunity to see every consult, surgery, and patient that has a head and neck complaint in Erie and the surrounding area.

Erie is also a great city to live in. We have Presque Isle State Park, the most visited state park in Pennsylvania, which offers water sports, beaches, fishing, hiking, and other outdoor activities. The city offers theater, dining, professional sports and an active nightlife and is located less than two hours from Cleveland, Buffalo, and Pittsburgh.

Again, thanks for visiting our program website. Please visit our office website www.ent-specialists.net and feel free to contact me or any of the other residents if you have any questions.

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