For the fourth consecutive year, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center’s Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery residency program has been recognized among the nation’s elite, earning a top-five position in the Doximity national rankings. In 2025, the program rose to #4, further affirming its reputation as a leader in high-volume surgical experience, rigorous academic training, and innovative educational design.
“Our residency is a great combination of an excellent surgical program with high volume and great facilities that’s matched with great residents,” says Nolan Seim, MD, MBA, FACS, associate professor and microvascular surgeon in the Division of Head and Neck Oncology and director of medical student education. “We recruit some of the best students across the country. We have a really strong group of 25 residents, which is relatively big for an otolaryngology program. But despite that, they’re a really close-knit group—good friends, great colleagues and mentors to one another.”
In addition to strong recruitment and an accomplished faculty, the program continues to expand its use of advanced technology to elevate training.
Harnessing 3D Modeling to Enhance Education and Patient Care
A core innovation is the work of Kyle VanKoevering, MD, associate professor and faculty director of the Medical Modeling, Materials and Manufacturing (M4) Laboratory. The M4 Lab brings together clinicians and engineers to develop high-fidelity surgical models that support both patient care and resident education.
“Our clinicians and engineers work hand-in-hand to bring innovative solutions to life not only for education of our trainees but also for patient care,” Dr. VanKoevering explains. These collaborations allow for rapid prototyping and the creation of models used in programs such as the Difficult Airway Response Team (DART), where 3D-printed airway models help trainees better understand clinical scenarios and refine their procedural skills.
“They print 3D models that are used for both patient care as well as education and training,” Dr. Seim adds. “The 3D models are there to better explain to the residents what we’re doing. We use those models both educationally and to improve patient outcomes.”
ALT-VISION: Advancing Surgical Anatomy Through High-Fidelity Simulation
Another cornerstone of the program’s educational infrastructure is the Anatomy Laboratory Toward Visuospatial Surgical Innovation in Otolaryngology and Neurosurgery (ALT-VISION). This research and education laboratory provides residents and visiting researchers with the opportunity to work on cadaveric specimens using 3D neuronavigation technology to refine surgical techniques and investigate anatomic questions.
The ALT-VISION lab is co-directed by Ricardo Carrau, MD, professor of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, and Daniel Prevedello, MD, professor of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery.
Dr. Seim emphasizes the importance of this environment: “The cadaveric models and dissections are performed to shore up the 3D anatomy and surgical skills that young surgical trainees need. They can do this without blood, time pressure, faculty, anesthesia and all the other aspects of the operating room. They really use it to hone their surgical anatomy skills and knowledge.”
Comprehensive Training Supported by Simulation, Technology, and Academic Engagement
Simulation-based training remains central to the residency’s curriculum. Residents participate in airway simulation at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, temporal bone simulation for drilling techniques, and extensive 3D-printed model training through the DART program. These tools reinforce anatomic understanding, procedural proficiency, and decision-making under controlled conditions.
Just as importantly, the program emphasizes academic engagement. Residents consistently deliver presentations at national specialty-specific conferences and contribute to the department’s academic mission through research and scholarly work.
“What I want people to know is that we take great pride in our residents leaving this program well-trained and ready to take care of patients,” Dr. Seim says. “There’s nothing that makes us happier or prouder than when one of our trainees goes out to another program and we hear from their colleagues or their leadership or their patients that they’re just doing an exceptional job and that they’re having a big impact in their hospital system.”
"Since the expansion of our residency complement to 5 residents per year, 80% of our trainees have sought fellowship training following their residency graduation. All of these educational advances and simulation opportunities are designed to provide top-notch training for all resident physicians, allowing them to be the best clinicians and surgeons for their future communities, no matter what type of practice they have in the future," says Professor Brad DeSilva, MD, residency program director, laryngology fellowship director, and vice chair for education.
Echoes Dr. Rocco, Chair of the Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, “I am tremendously proud of the strength and national reputation of our residency program. Its sustained top-tier ranking reflects the dedication of our residency director, Professor Brad deSilva, faculty, the exceptional caliber of our trainees, and our department’s commitment to investing in the most advanced educational platforms available. The integration of technology—from 3D modeling to neuronavigation-based cadaveric research—combined with the mentorship of faculty leaders such as Dr. Carrau, Dr. Seim, and Dr. VanKoevering, ensures that our trainees graduate fully prepared to excel. This program stands as a defining example of our mission to deliver the highest-quality education, clinical care, and academic innovation”.