What sets the Kaiser Permanente otolaryngology residency program apart?
Kaiser Permanente cares for over 12.3 million patients across the nation and over 4.5 million in Northern California alone. Oakland Medical Center serves as a tertiary referral center. We have an academic spirit and a collegial, family-like atmosphere, with frequent happy hours, book club, journal club and an annual retreat.
Without fellows, our residents gain early autonomy and surgical independence even in advanced cases, offering strong preparation for fellowship training or building confidence to enter practice directly after residency.
In our integrated healthcare system, patients benefit from a streamlined process: they can see their primary physician in the morning, receive an immediate ENT referral and even have same-day imaging or biopsy. This efficient model allows our residents to experience exceptional continuity of care, engaging with patients from initial diagnosis through surgery, postoperative recovery and follow-up visits. Unlike other healthcare systems with lengthy referral and insurance authorization delays, our approach provides a cohesive and comprehensive learning experience.
Taking primary call beginning intern year accelerates skill development.
Our residents receive unique training experience in facial feminization surgery (FFS).
What are the research opportunities at Kaiser Permanente?
Opportunities for clinical research are plentiful. Our large patient population and database allows for many studies to be the largest series in the literature. Please see our Research page for more information and examples of our recent projects.
Where do Kaiser Permanente residents go after graduation?
About 50% of our graduates have pursued fellowship training, with every subspecialty represented. While we have graduates practicing across the United States in both academic and private settings, many have chosen to return to Kaiser Permanente.
What are we looking for in a resident?
We choose applicants who are internally-driven team players who approach each patient with both compassion and intellectual curiosity. Our residents are ready to step into leadership roles when necessary and are dedicated to improving the quality of care they provide and the state of the field as a whole. They often engage in humanitarian works and have a strong desire to contribute to the greater good, whether through research, teaching or community work.
Does your program support volunteer work or global health initiatives?
Yes! We regard international mission trips as part of training and do not require residents to use vacation to participate. For more information on mission trips as well as ways we support our community locally, please see our Global and Community Outreach page.
What is the duty schedule like?
We strictly adhere to the ACGME work duty hour guidelines. Our residents take call from home, on average every 4-5 weeknights, and every 4-5 weekends.
How does Kaiser Permanente support resident well-being?
We understand that the Bay Area is an expensive market and offer a competitive salary along with stipends for housing, relocation, gym membership, and meals. Counseling, personal coaching and educational consultants are available as needed. More importantly, our department culture is supportive and nurturing.
Are Kaiser residents eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness?
Yes. Residents are officially employed by the Kaiser Hospital Foundation, which is a 501c3. This means that payments made while in residency at Kaiser Permanente will count towards PSLF.
What are the demographics of the patient population we serve?
We care for a diverse patient population, including commercially insured, Medicare, Medicaid and uninsured patients. In the East Bay, our Kaiser patient demographics include 19.8% Asian/Pacific Islander, 16.9% Hispanic, 21.1% African American and 7.3% Medi-Cal. Residents also rotate at Highland Hospital, the Alameda County hospital, which serves those who are uninsured or underinsured.