Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

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Holistic application and interview process

We aim to recruit a diverse, motivated, and compassionate group of resident physicians. It is our philosophy that diverse teams are stronger teams that provide better, patient-centered care to people from all walks of life. As we review applications, we recognize the bias that can come with only relying on grades and test scores. Therefore, we encourage students to highlight meaningful achievements in their applications as we review them holistically. Work, volunteer, research, and life experiences are valued equally to grades, letters of recommendation, personal statements, and scores. We are looking for well-rounded applicants who have shown a strong work ethic, teamwork, and dedication to their successes.

Prior to the review process, we educate our interview committee yearly on recognizing and addressing implicit biases. We ask all applicants the same standardized questions with pre-set grading scales to identify the best candidates for our training program.

Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion (JEDI), and Well-Being

We recognize every resident may enter our program with their own unique challenges, and we're committed to helping everyone succeed. Our institution and department support trainees who are historically marginalized or underrepresented in medicine through mentorship and open communication. Residents with physical, sensory, chronic physical health, or mental health conditions are encouraged to utilize the resources in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Mayo Clinic as an institution to attain the best possible experience and training. Below is a list of resources provided.

Patient behavior

Mayo Clinic’s values foster a respectful and harassment-free environment.
Mayo Clinic employees have the right to work in an environment free from all forms of discrimination and conduct which can be considered harassing, coercive, or disruptive.
Mayo Clinic prohibits harassment on the basis of race, sex, age, religion, national origin, marital status, color, creed, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability (physical and mental), genetic information, veteran status, and status with regard to public assistance or other protected characteristics.
Mayo Clinic does not accept disrespectful behavior of any kind towards or between co-workers, patients, volunteers, contractors, or visitors.
Mayo’s policy does not permit retaliation, and that too should be reported.

Diversity projects and initiatives

Diversity research

Current and ongoing projects:

Research opportunities for learners, including community engaged research through CHSI and Health Career Collaborative program (see below)
Collaboration with the Center for Health Equity and Community Engaged Research
Research looking at disparities involving oropharyngeal cancer and other head and neck cancers
Representation of race and ethnicity in clinical trials
Research involving equity of women representation in leadership positions in OHNS

Publications

O’Brien, E.K., et al. Increasing the Numbers of Black Otolaryngologists. Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 2021 Apr;54(2):457-470. doi: 10.1016/j.otc.2020.11.017.
Sauer AB, Daher GS, Lohse CM, Glasgow AE, Habermann EB, Douse DM, Moore EJ, Ighodaro ET, Van Abel KM, Yin LX. Underreporting and Underrepresentation of Race and Ethnicity in Head and Neck Cancer Trials, 2010-2020: A Systematic Review. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2022 Jul 1;148(7):662-669. doi: 10.1001/jamaoto.2022.1028. PMID: 35653143.
Ali, H.M., Lee, S.Y.H., Jashek-Ahmed, F., Seguya, A., Faucett, E., Van Beck, J., Stapleton, E., Peer, S., Husain, I.A., Wiedermann, J., Salano, V. and (2022), Gender Disparities in Otolaryngology: A Case Report Reflecting Global Perspectives. The Laryngoscope. https://doi.org/10.1002/lary.30455

Voices in Otolaryngology Visiting Professorship

The Voices in Otolaryngology Visiting Professorship is dedicated to highlighting forward-thinking work being done in our field and improve career advancement and networking opportunities for practicing academic otolaryngologists who are traditionally under-represented in Otolaryngology. This event is held three times per year, with one in-person event in the fall and two Zoom events in November and February. Invited faculty receive an honorarium as well as a custom skull model made from our 3D lab at Mayo.

Dr. Marisa Buchakjian Past speakers:

August 19, 2021: Dr. Marisa Buchakjian, University of Iowa, “Modern Concepts in Head and Neck Cancer Metabolism”
November 18, 2021: Dr. Julina Ongkasuwan, Baylor College of Medicine, “Vocal Fold Impairment or There and Back Again” and Dr. Erynne Faucett, Arizona Children’s Hospital, “Why Diversity in Otolaryngology Matters”
February 7, 2022: Dr. Anthony Law, Emory and Dr. Keiko Ishikawa, University of Illinois, “Machine Learning and Voice”
August 9, 2022: Dr. Taher Valika, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, “Innovation in Otolaryngology”

Mayo Community ENT Clinic through the Community Health Services Inc (CHSI)

ENT residents with audiology equipment at Community Health Services Inc. The Community Health Services Inc. is a federally qualified healthcare center that provides care to the under- and uninsured in the Rochester area and beyond. Within Rochester, most current numbers show about 5 percent of the overall population is estimated to be uninsured with the numbers of underinsured unknown. Prior to the initiation of this clinic, there was no streamlined way for this patient population to get access to basic ENT care.

Interpreters at Community Health Services Inc. Since July 2022, we have been running a monthly evening clinic geared towards providing basic ENT care through the CHSI. The clinic is run by faculty, residents, APPS, and audiologists from the Department of Otolaryngology. Services provided include hearing testing, flexible laryngoscopy, otomicroscopy, rhinoscopy, head and neck cancer screening, as well as certain in office procedures (skin biopsies, oral cavity biopsies, tympanostomy tube placement). Higher level surgical care is referred to our Mayo ENT department. We have been quite thankful to get funding from Mayo Clinic’s CHCER (Center for Health Equity and Community Engaged Research) for initial startup costs and have also received generous benefactor funding to support ongoing needs.

Group picture of ENT faculty and residents at Community Health Services Inc.

Mayo Clinic Health Career Collaborative

The Health Career Collaborative is a 501-c non-profit organization that provides health career education and mentorship to high school students (from backgrounds generally under-represented in medicine) within our community. HCC is an outreach program of the American College of Surgeons and has a validated curriculum and track record at over 10 other institutions.

We have partnered with the Rochester STEM Academy as our first pilot high school. This program is primarily run by Mayo medical students with the opportunity for faculty and resident participation through guest pop in sessions, in person hands on sessions, and virtual panels throughout the year. This year, sessions are held twice a month over Zoom. We hope that this will become an in-person program in the future with plans to expand to other high schools and communities within our Rochester community in the coming years.

Undergraduate and medical student research programs

Undergraduate Research Internship Program
Medical Student Research Fellowship

Undergraduate Research Internship Program

The Mayo Clinic Otolaryngology Undergraduate Research Internship Program is a 10-week paid internship for undergraduate students who are interested in careers in medicine or science and are members of groups that are underrepresented in medicine.

	David Aka 2022-23 Undergraduate Research Intern
	Ralph Fleuranvil 2022-23 Undergraduate Research Intern
	Aniya Keaton 2022-23 Undergraduate Research Intern
	Ronsard Mondesir 2022-23 Undergraduate Research Intern
	Jayla Shoffner 2022-23 Undergraduate Research Intern

Medical Student Research Fellowship

The Mayo Clinic Otolaryngology Medical Student Research Fellowship program is available for motivated medical students interested in an immersive academic research experience. The Department of Otolaryngology offers two full-time, year-long, paid fellowship positions, including salary and benefits, a relocation stipend, and funding to attend and present at national conferences. These two positions will be offered to candidates from a group that is underrepresented in medicine. The department can offer up to two additional unrestricted positions for applicants who have commensurate independent funding, such as from a home institution or grant, for periods of time up to one academic year with a rolling application process. Learn more.

Felicia Olawuni

2022-23 Otolaryngology Research Fellow

George Sankar

2022-23 Otolaryngology Research Fellow

Building a community

Moving to place with a welcoming community is important and we strive to ensure that you feel welcomed and at home in our program. Here are just a few resources available to residents:

Vision and mission statement

Mayo Clinic’s vision is to be recognized by patients, employees, peer institutions, and the community as the leading model for diversity and inclusion. The mission of the Department of Otolaryngology is to lead the nation in providing care for patients with complex ENT needs as a diverse and inclusive organization continually striving for excellence in clinical care, education, and research.