First year residents in the Department of Otolaryngology at Washington University School of Medicine wasted no time becoming immersed in their training program. We caught up with them after four weeks on the job, to ask about their current rotation and first impressions as new ENT residents.
Katherine Garvey, MD
Current service?
I have been on the consult service. I get to take care of patients admitted to our service as well as those for which we serve as consultants, see new consults with the PGY2s, and go to the OR! So far, I have scrubbed in on a total laryngectomy and a lot of trachs. This is a fun service because we take care of a wide variety of patients with very different pathologies, so I am learning a lot each day.
First impressions?
Residency has been a lot of fun so far! There is definitely a steep learning curve, but everyone is in the same boat learning together. It is so gratifying to be able to contribute to patients’ care in more meaningful ways than was possible as a medical student.
Highlight moment?
My highlight so far has probably been the first trach I scrubbed into. I assumed I would mostly be retracting and suctioning, but my chief handed me the scalpel and guided me through making the skin incision as well as a few steps of the dissection. It was really exciting!
Andrew Peterson, MD
Current service?
I have been on the head and neck surgical oncology rotation.
First impressions?
The head and neck service has been an incredible experience and is quite humbling at times. I feel so fortunate that even as an intern, I am in the operating room nearly every day.
Highlight moment?
The highlight so far was serving as primary resident surgeon on my first tracheostomy. That was hopefully the first of thousands in my career.
Prithwijit Roychowdhury, MD
Current service?
I started my intern year on the thoracic surgery service.
First impressions?
Intern year has had a steep learning curve, but I have felt supported through it all by everyone around me at WashU/BJC. It has been truly exciting to reflect on how much I have learned every single day already, and it has only been a month!
Highlight moment?
Starting on thoracic surgery has allowed me to participate in some very interesting operative cases that I may not see again, including an organ procurement for a lung transplant. That was a unique experience and one I highly recommended for anyone who will be completing this rotation in the future. Additional highlights have been meeting my co-residents at social events during these first few weeks – everyone has been so welcoming and supportive!
Emma Watson, MD
Current service?
I’ve been on the pediatric otolaryngology team. The intern gets to spend most of the day in clinic with the attendings. While a lot of these appointments are for tubes or tonsils, WashU has many complex multidisciplinary clinics like cleft/craniofacial, aerodigestive, and ventilation clinic, so I’ve had the opportunity to learn a lot about complex cases too.
First impressions?
I’m loving it so far. Getting one-on-one time with attendings as well as audiologists and speech-language pathologists has been great. My main responsibilities are clinic and learning, and I’ve been doing a lot of both! The chief and junior residents on my team have also been very helpful with showing me the ropes.
Highlight moment?
The moment that stands out is getting an ear exam right on a very wiggly 2-year-old! I also enjoyed having a visiting sub-intern on the team for a week, allowing me to reflect on how much I’ve learned since I was in that position just a year ago.
Matthew Wu, MD
Current service?
I started this year on a pediatric general surgery rotation.
First impressions?
The first several weeks of residency have been really exciting. From day one, I was in the operating room, and I have been first assistant on many cases. The investment that attendings and senior residents put into educating us is really amazing. Even though I am not on an ENT service, I still am able to spend time with my ENT co-residents on Wednesday education days, skills sessions, and social gatherings. Our department does a great job of giving us opportunities to interact with each other.
Highlight moment?
Attending the resident graduation dinner was very special. It was great to hear about all the things we have to look forward to. Spending some social time at Dr. Buchman’s house with the other residents was also a highlight of these first weeks.