Celebrating our graduates
Graduates from the Washington University Otolaryngology Residency Program are well prepared for the many options available to them. The highly regarded training received by our residents and the breadth of the Washington University alumni network provide our graduating residents with a diversity of post-residency opportunities.
Eighty percent of the class of 2019 is moving on to fellowship training, and 20 percent is going to private practice. While every class is unique, a majority of our graduates pursue additional specialty training in fellowships. Here’s where they are headed and highlights of their residencies:
Neel Bhatt, MD
Next step: Fellowship in Laryngology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Highlight: “I am grateful for the extraordinary mentorship and training I received throughout residency.”
Collin Chen, MD
Next step: Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Fellowship, Washington University in St. Louis
Highlight: “I have attended graduation ceremonies for the past five classes, and I cannot wait for my family to attend my graduation. This will be the highlight for me!”
Jennifer Gross, MD
Next step: Fellowship in Head and Neck Oncology, University of Miami, Miami, FL
Highlight: “I have enjoyed forming lasting relationships with fellow residents, colleagues and friends and learning how to treat patients with empathy and the highest quality of care.”
Heidi L’Esperance, MD
Next step: General ENT position, St. Mary’s Hospital/Essentia Health, Duluth, MN
Highlight: “It has been an honor and privilege to have trained at WashU under many of the leaders in our field. I have truly enjoyed meeting and working with everyone here – attendings, other residents, clinic and floor nurses, front desk staff and cleaning people, and countless others. Patient care requires teamwork amongst everyone in the organization, and seeing this in action has been one of my favorite things about this residency. Thank you all for the role you have played in my training, and know that I have enjoyed having had a chance to work with you all!”
Peter Vila, MD, MSPH
Next step: Fellowship in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
Highlight: “The most memorable moment for me throughout residency was taking care of a Spanish-speaking-only family at St. Louis Children’s Hospital, and working closely with them during and after their child’s surgery. I operated on the child and saw them every day after surgery, and by the time they were ready to go home we had developed a strong relationship, and I was able to ensure they were able to communicate with the many different members of the hospital staff.”