Skip to main content

Welcome from the Residency Program Director

Thank you for taking interest and learning more about the Indiana University School of Medicine Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery residency program.A great residency program starts with establishing a great culture in which to learn. At the Department of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, we constantly strive toward establishing the ideal environment for trainees to become exemplary, professional, highly engaged surgeons of society and our specialty.

I still remember the excitement and anxiety when applying for residency years ago and trying to find the right “fit” for me, where I would thrive and succeed. I looked for faculty members and role models who I thought would help me achieve my career goals and help me with fellowship opportunities and future job opportunities. I also knew I wanted to feel comfortable each day I stepped through the doors working with my colleagues, peers, attending physicians and other hospital team members. At IU School of Medicine, we work everyday in this great environment in the Department of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery. We recognize and highly value the importance that a great learning environment surrounded by people who want to teach, learn, collaborate and engage, can have on all team members. We seek residents, faculty and team members who also value these ideals.

Training of our residents begins the first day of residency, and the relationships we build continue for the rest of a resident’s career as we continue to involve them in our department for years after graduation. The first year includes a carefully selected rotation schedule to provide the optimal experience for preparing residents for their careers in otolaryngology.  A carefully planned hybrid system of site-based, specialty specific rotations during post-graduate-years two through five provide a graduated experience through each specialty multiple times so that experience and skills can grow. The chief resident year (post-graduate-year five) is focused on increasing technique and proficiency on advanced surgical techniques and improving higher level decision making.

A formal resident mentoring program begins for each resident the day they start residency. They are paired with a faculty member or group of faculty members who help them achieve their career goals, including obtaining prestigious fellowships and jobs in both academic and private practice afterwards. In addition, for years after completion, graduates stay connected through multiple on-site social gatherings, planned meeting gatherings and CME opportunities.

Residency training is more than learning otolaryngology.  For this reason, we complement the residency experience with international medicine opportunities, planned weekly educational conferences, business and health care management classes/courses, monthly program director/chair meetings, various social gatherings, many simulation courses and surgical dissections courses. 

Please take the time to leaf through our website and learn more about our great program.  The city of Indianapolis is progressive, livable, eclectic, has an excellent food and social scene and offers many active excursions.

Let us know how we can help you!

Sincerely,

11724-Shipchandler, Taha

Taha Z. Shipchandler, MD

Residency Program Director, Department of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery

Read Bio Taha Z. Shipchandler, MD