The Urology and Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery residency programs at Vanderbilt University Medical Center are both ranked No. 1 in the U.S. by reputation, according to the Doximity Residency Navigator.
Each year, Doximity Residency Navigator publishes residency program rankings by specialty which are “powered by peer nominations, ratings and hand-written reviews.” Factors considered include culture, clinical diversity, career guidance and overall satisfaction.
“For the first time, Vanderbilt Urology is the top-ranked residency program in the U.S. by reputation,” said David Penson, MD, MPH, the Paul V. Hamilton MD and Virginia E. Howd Professor of Urologic Oncology and chair of the Department of Urology. “While this is in no small part thanks to the efforts of great faculty and residents, the program benefits greatly from being part of a tremendous medical center and medical school. Most importantly, though, credit is due to our outstanding Graduate Medical Education (GME) office and our exceptional program director, Kristen Scarpato.”
VUMC’s Urology Residency Program Director Kristen Scarpato, MD, MPH, said the ranking is “truly a reflection of Dr. Penson’s leadership and commitment to the ‘crown jewel’ of our department — the residency program comprised of our hard working, bright trainees.”
“Urology has consistently been ranked in the top three, but this is the first time that the program has been No. 1 on Doximity,” said Scarpato, associate professor of Urology. “We have always valued clinical excellence and a culture of camaraderie in our faculty and training program. I am really proud of this recent ranking.”
VUMC’s Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery residency program became the first VUMC training program to achieve a No. 1 ranking in 2022; it remained in the top spot in this year’s rankings.
“Our top ranking is a direct result of the effort by our trainees who work with us almost on a daily basis to adapt our program in the face of continuous change to make sure we have the best program in the country for training otolaryngologists,” said Eben Rosenthal, MD, professor and chair of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery.
“In addition to the GME Office at VUMC, program directors Bob Sinard, Priyesh Patel, and Aaron Moberly have dedicated their efforts to continuous improvement. The reputation that we have attained as the best training program in the country is because of our attention to didactics, thoughtful creation of rotations, and the work of Dr. Ron Eavey, my predecessor,” said Rosenthal, who holds the Barry and Amy Baker Chair in Laryngeal, Head and Neck Research.
Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery Residency Program director Priyesh Patel, MD, said the program has been ranked No. 1 by reputation for three consecutive years.
“This doesn’t happen without collaborative efforts amongst our devoted trainees, brilliant faculty, strong department leadership, caring staff and supportive GME office,” said Patel, assistant professor of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery.
“Our residency program is a matter of great pride and priority for our department, and we are privileged to be at a world-class medical center that supports this sentiment. Importantly, the strength of our training program gives way to the absolute best care of our patients,” he said.
Of the 22 programs where there is a reputation ranking available, and where Vanderbilt has a program eligible to be listed, a total of five programs are in the top 10 with Med/Peds (6), Surgery (7), and Orthopaedics (8), in addition to top-ranked Urology and Otolaryngology programs.
A total of 11 programs are in the top 20, which includes Anesthesiology (12), Emergency Medicine (15), Internal Medicine (15), Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (16), Pediatrics (16), and Nuclear Medicine (19).
“We are always proud to see recognition of our training programs, and seeing Otolaryngology and Urology in the No. 1 positions is seeing national acknowledgment of the stellar efforts by department leadership, program leadership and faculty as they strive to provide the best training possible here at Vanderbilt,” said Kyla Terhune, MD, Vice President for Educational Affairs and associate dean for GME.
“These trainees become, in very short order, those same faculty, department and program leaders here and in the community, which in turn is key to continuing that cycle of excellence. In fact, both current program directors of those programs were Vanderbilt trainees themselves,” she said.
