Medical Student Electives
About two weeks before your rotation with the Department of Otolaryngology, you will receive an email confirming the dates of your rotation along with contact information for your site and senior resident. If you have questions, email Katelynn Jennings
Electives for Phase 4 Students
OTOL 8000 - Clinical Otolaryngology
4 weeks
Course Director, Dr. Cristina Cabrera-Muffly
Recommended for students considering an Otolaryngology career. This rotation
offers in-depth clinical and operative exposure in all manner of head and neck diseases. This rotation is also useful for those pursuing a career in primary care to further hone head and neck exam and diagnostic skills. Dr. Cabrera-Muffly assigns final grades. Acting Internship Rotation
- University of Colorado Students: Register through OASIS
- Externship Application Process: Student Affairs - Extern
Away Rotation Travel Grant:
We invite medical students who are pursuing otolaryngology residency and who will bring a diverse perspective to our program to apply for an away rotation travel grant. One applicant who meets criteria will be chosen by the resident education team to receive $1,000 toward travel and housing costs incurred during rotation.
To qualify for the grant, applicants must:
- Submit a complete application through VSAS to participate in an away rotation at the University of Colorado.
- Submit a one (1) page personal statement describing how you bring a unique perspective to our program or have overcome adversity to reach your goals. Personal statements are to be emailed to Katelynn Jennings.
Selection for the grant is done on a rolling basis each year. Once away rotations have been confirmed, the education team will select one grant recipient and notify them of their decision.
OTOL 8600 - Research In Otolaryngology
4 - 12 weeks
Course Director, Katie Rennie, PhD
This Otolaryngology elective will be held at a site in Colorado. Prerequisites: Prior approval from Associate Dean and course director required to register, and a completed application for research credit
must be submitted three months prior to the start.
Students are required to discuss course evaluations with individual instructor and ensure written evaluations are faxed to course coordinator at 303-724-1961. Dr. Rennie assigns final grades.
Objectives:
- Work in supervised environment to gain appreciation for research design, criticism and statistical analysis.
- Complete research project with potential to publish in peer-reviewed journal.
R25 Predoctoral Training Position in Otolaryngology Research
The Colorado Otolaryngology Clinician Scientist NIDCD R25 Training Grant has one 9-month slot for a medical student for 2026-2027, beginning as early as July 1, 2026 (a later start date is also possible). Research projects must be related to areas of Otolaryngology including hearing/balance, taste/smell, communication/autism or head and neck cancer. Each project should have a basic science research mentor and a clinical co-mentor selected from the training faculty of the Otolaryngology R25 at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. The research mentor will supervise the research in a laboratory environment, and the clinical mentor will provide clinical experience (such as shadowing in a clinical setting or participating in a clinical research project) related to the selected project.
This research opportunity is available to medical students (preferably in the 3rd or 4th year of medical school) interested in pursuing a research year and a future residency in Otolaryngology. The research block is funded through the NIH/NIDCD R25 mechanism for a 9-month predoctoral stipend. Interested students should contact Dr. Sue Kinnamon to initiate the process and identify training mentors from program faculty at the University of Colorado. Applications for the position are due May 18th 2026 for review by the Recruitment Committee. The application should be submitted by the trainee, with supporting letters from the selected basic science mentor and clinical co-mentor. Each application should contain the following:
1. 1-2 page summary of the trainee’s proposed research and project title, its relevance to the NIDCD mission and how R25 support will enhance their training experience and ability to match into an Otolaryngology residency program. Include a brief description of how the translational component will be part of the plan.
2. Proposed start date (earliest start date is July 1, 2026).
3. NIH-style Biosketch including research experience and publications.
4. List of courses and grades from medical school.
5. Each trainee should identify a clinician co-mentor who will provide a clinical experience directly relevant to the research project. Supporting letters and Biosketches should be provided from both mentor and clinical co-mentor. The applicant and both mentors should sign the Trainee Mentor Expectations document and include this with the application.
6. To be eligible, trainees must be US citizens or green card holders. Please note that trainees outside the University of Colorado system are required to obtain their own health insurance.
For further details of the training plan, including course requirements for Otolaryngology R25 trainees (Trainee Mentor Expectations), and a list of basic science and clinical co-mentors please contact Dr. Sue Kinnamon, Principal Investigator of the R25 training grant ([email protected]) or Dr. Katie Rennie, Training Director ([email protected]). Trainees will be selected based on their proposed research and its relevance for the R25, their commitment to pursuing a residency in Otolaryngology, the training record of the mentor, and past academic performance of the trainee.