(1105) MD/DO-PhD Representation Across Otolaryngology Residency Programs in the United States

Introduction: MD/DO-PhD graduates remain underrepresented in surgical subspecialties. This study aims to characterize the representation of MD/DO-PhD graduates in otolaryngology residency training programs.

Methods: We performed a comprehensive online search of otolaryngology residents in the United States during academic year 2025–2026 using publicly available residency program websites and social media (n = 126) and identified residents with combined MD/DO-PhD degrees across all clinical and research years.

Results: Twenty-nine (23.02%) residency programs had at least one MD/DO-PhD graduate, with nine programs training more than one. Among 1,885 otolaryngology residents, 56 (2.97%) held MD/DO-PhD degrees. MD/DO-PhD representation by training year was 11 (2.80%) PGY1, 11 (2.83%) PGY2, 9 (2.49%) PGY3, 7 (1.96%) PGY4, 13 (3.74%) PGY5, and 5 (13.89%) research track/PGY6+ residents. All but one resident with a combined degree held an MD/PhD, and 41 (73.21%) graduated from NIH-funded Medical Scientist Training Programs. Four (7.14%) earned their PhDs at a different institution prior to medical school matriculation. All nine ERAS-designated geographic regions had at least one residency program with MD/DO-PhD graduates, with the Middle Atlantic, Pacific, and South Atlantic regions with five programs each. Sixteen (28.57%) MD/DO-PhD residents remained within the same ERAS geographic region for their medical education and residency.

Conclusions: Otolaryngology training demonstrates broad representation of MD/DO-PhD graduates across training years and geographic regions. Although they represent a small subset of the resident population, MD/DO-PhD students interested in otolaryngology should view the specialty as one with existing academic representation and sustained opportunities for surgeon-scientist training.