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Advice on ENT Residency

May 18, 2023
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Medical school can prove challenging, and with so many options for specializations, students may struggle to find a path they enjoy. Those considering an ENT residency can benefit from learning about Dr. Hasnie’s path through medical school and how her ENT residency helped her find her passion while at Saint James School of Medicine.

During our recent interview with Mr. Kaushik Guha, the Executive Vice Presidenty of SJSM,, Dr. Hasnie drew on firsthand experiences to provide insights into her path to becoming an ENT and her top tips for students interested in the field or seeking residencies with surgeons.

About Dr. Hasnie

Dr. Hasnie is an alumnus of Saint James School of Medicine. She began by earning her undergraduate education at Wayne University with a major in psychology and communication sciences and disorders. During her final year there, she decided to pursue a career in medicine rather than continue her path toward speech pathology.

At this point, she turned her focus to medical school. She began her studies in the Caribbean and eventually applied to Saint James School of Medicine to finish her studies. Her experience as a med student brought her to rotations in Chicago and Michigan and gave her an ENT residency experience that helped solidify her passions.

Dr. Hasnie is currently finishing her fifth year of ENT studies and beginning a new fellowship at NYU with a focus on pediatric otolaryngology. She often reflects and speaks about the struggles she faced as a student and the path that led her to become an ENT specialist.

What Is ENT?

ENT stands for ear, nose, and throat. The technical term for doctors in this position is otolaryngologists. They focus on diagnosing and treating conditions in these three areas to provide targeted care to patients.

Many people think of ENT doctors as allergists or general practice professionals, but ENT constitutes a surgical subspecialty. Dr. Hasnie addresses many common misconceptions in this area, reminding students that ENT focuses largely on surgeries, including long and complex procedures involving the neck and head. In addition, ENTs perform routine operations for tubes, tonsils, and more.

Matching into ENT Residency

An ENT residency provides medical students a place to learn in hospitals, private practices, and more. Getting a spot in an ENT residency can be competitive, and Dr. Hasnie states that she faced many people who tried to dissuade her from pursuing this program. Still, she stresses the importance of following your passions and trying your hardest for what you want. The match rate for ENT programs is about 23%, and it typically proves more competitive than general surgery residencies.

Matching into ENT residency requires great transcripts, test scores, clinical and interviewing skills. Students hoping for a match should apply to multiple programs and keep in mind that the options will be limited and competitive. Dr. Hasnie suggests trying for any position that interests you and working to prepare for interviews, meetings, and assessments.

She also suggests reaching out to program directors and residency coordinators regularly to follow up on your applications. She recalls reaching out to coordinators almost weekly to check on her application status and ask about related opportunities. Being proactive shows your passion and helps your application stand out from numerous others.

Gaining ENT Experience

Through ENT rotations and residencies, students gain the exposure and experience necessary for a viable career. During Dr. Hasnie’s time in medical school, ENT rotations weren’t available to students, but she used her general surgery rotations to pursue and meet with ENT specialists in the field. She expresses the importance of asking questions, observing surgeries, and networking with other doctors throughout residencies and rotations.

The doctors and professionals in a residency or rotation setting often recommend students to other matches, programs, and career placements. Making a good impression as a med student and getting familiar with the work of other ENT specialists will increase the chances of earning new positions in the field.

Becoming a Med Student

If a career as an ENT sounds appealing to you, becoming a med student is the best way to get the technical skills and qualifications to begin residencies or obtain your degree. Saint James School of Medicine proved the right option for Dr. Hasnie and can provide you with strong academics and effective residency placements. The ENT program has trained many professionals in the field and remains dedicated to excellence for interested students.

Dr. Hasnie admits that medical school was not her first choice or desired path, but through her application, acceptance, and education, she was able to find where she belonged while acquiring the skills necessary to flourish in her new career. She encourages prospective students to work to overcome obstacles just as she did and states that her medical school experience has become invaluable for her personal and professional journeys. To learn more about the career opportunities in medicine, please check out our school’s website.

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