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Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery

Medical Student Clerkships

The department offers several balanced clerkship programs. Select the program you are interested in to view more information:


Johns Hopkins Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery Visiting Scholar in Health Equity

The Johns Hopkins Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery offers a four-week, mentored clerkship for visiting medical students who plan to apply to our residency program. The clerkship promotes diversity, equity and inclusion in otolaryngology–head and neck surgery.

The program allows senior medical students at Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME)-accredited schools to rotate at the nationally recognized Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery at Johns Hopkins. The rotation includes inpatient and outpatient experiences. Students will receive financial support.

The Program

The program consists of a four-week mentored clerkship in preparation for applying to residency in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery, along side other visiting medical students. In addition, students selected as Health Equity Scholars will receive a financial award to cover the cost of their visiting rotation and allow additional opportunities to connect with faculty members of the Department and the broader Johns Hopkins community.

Visiting Health Equity Scholars will benefit from:

  • Paired faculty mentor
  • Meeting with residency program director or associate program directors
  • Meeting with department leadership
  • Meeting with department diversity leadership
  • Meeting with institutional diversity leadership
  • Networking with House Staff Diversity Council
  • $2500 stipend

Eligibility Criteria

  • Demonstrated commitment to advancing health equity
  • In final year of medical school
  • Good standing at medical school
  • Completion of core clerkship in surgery
  • Applying for a residency position in otolaryngology–head and neck surgery
  • Pursuing a medical degree at an LCME-accredited school

This rotation is open and available to all students.

Applicants from backgrounds underrepresented in medicine are encouraged to apply. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, “unrepresented in medicine means those racial and ethnic populations that are underrepresented in the medical profession relative to their numbers in the general population.”

Application Process

  • The application period will begin April 1 and will be open until all available spots are filled.
  • Rotations will be offered each month, July through September.
  • A total of 3 Visiting Health Equity Scholars will be offered each year.
  • To be considered for the rotation, students should apply for a visiting clerkship in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery via the visiting medical student office.

In addition, applicants should assemble an application packet specific for the Visiting Health Equity Scholar program. The application packet should consist of the following:

  • Current curriculum vitae
  • USMLE Transcript
  • Unofficial medical school transcript
  • Essay questions (250-300 words each question)
    • Describe a personal experience or encounter that has shaped your understanding of health equity. How has this experience influenced your motivation to pursue a clerkship focused on promoting health equity? How does participating in this clerkship align with your long-term career goals and aspirations to advocate for equitable healthcare delivery and outcomes?
    • Reflect on your commitment to promoting health equity within the field of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery. Describe specific actions or initiatives you have undertaken to promote health equity, either within otolaryngology-head and neck surgery or in healthcare more broadly.

To ensure full consideration of your application, follow the steps below:

  1. Complete the visiting medical student application via the online VISMED application. Select the otolaryngology-head and neck surgery visiting clerkship.
  2. Complete the Visiting Health Equity Scholar application packet.

Selection Process

The Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery Visiting Health Equity Scholar Application Committee reviews all applications. Selection of students is based on a holistic review.

Questions: Email [email protected].



Medical Student Clinical Clerkship in General Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery

Course type: Clinical clerkship

Faculty: Otolaryngology

Description: This course gives students an introduction to the field of otolaryngology. The student will learn the skills necessary to take an otolaryngologic history and perform a comprehensive head and neck examination. It provides broad exposure to otolaryngologic pathology and will familiarize the student with outpatient and in-hospital otolaryngologic care.

Time is divided among the Head and Neck, Otology and Neurotology, Pediatric Otolaryngology, and Sinus and Laryngology services. Students will participate in rounds and inpatient care, in the operating room and the outpatient clinic. Students will discuss patients’ conditions with the attending physician to arrive at an appropriate diagnosis and treatment plan. Students will also assist in patient workups and follow them during hospital stays.

Availability/Duration: All year; one quarter or four weeks

Prerequisite(s):

  • Good standing at medical school
  • Students enrolled in the M.D. program at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine or an international medical school with which the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine has an institutional agreement. If you are from a medical school outside the United States, please review the Visiting Medical Student page for application procedures and forms.

Drop period: One month

If you are a Johns Hopkins medical student interested in applying for a clerkship during your final year of medical school, please contact:

Patricia Thornton ([email protected])

Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery
Levi Watkins, Jr, MD, Outpatient Center
601 N. Caroline St., Suite 6210
Baltimore, MD 21287
Phone: (443) 287-1374

If you are a medical student from another institution and are interested in applying for a clerkship during your final year of medical school, please review the Visiting Medical Students page for application procedures and forms.

Application Process

The application period will open in the winter of 2023-2024.


Medical Student Sub-Internship in Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery

The Johns Hopkins Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery offers a four-week, mentored sub-internship for Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and visiting medical students who plan to apply to our residency program. The program provides senior medical students at LCME-accredited schools the opportunity to rotate at the nationally recognized Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery at Johns Hopkins. The rotation includes inpatient and outpatient experiences.

Eligibility Criteria

  • The final year of medical school
  • Good standing at medical school
  • Completion of core clerkship in surgery
  • Applying for a residency position in otolaryngology–head and neck surgery
  • Pursuing a medical degree at an LCME-accredited school

Availability/Duration: All year; one quarter or four weeks

Prerequisite(s): None

Drop period: One month

If you are a Johns Hopkins medical student interested in applying for a clerkship during your final year of medical school, please contact:

Patricia Thornton ([email protected])

Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery
Levi Watkins, Jr, MD, Outpatient Center
601 N. Caroline St., Suite 6210
Baltimore, MD 21287
Phone: (443) 287-1374

If you are a medical student from another institution and are interested in applying for a clerkship during your final year of medical school, please review the Visiting Medical Students page for application procedures and forms.

Application Process

The application period will open in the winter of 2023-2024.

About Us

The Johns Hopkins Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery is committed to cultivating and sustaining an environment that develops physician leaders dedicated to eliminating the nation’s health inequities through patient care, education, advocacy and research. Diversity, equity and inclusion are core values of our department, our residency training program and the School of Medicine. We welcome all students, regardless of self-identified race or ethnicity, committed to addressing health-care disparities.