The AAO-HNSF 2026 Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO will offer opportunities for medical students to attend groundbreaking education sessions and engage with leaders in the specialty. Explore the resources below and check back often for new information to help you make the most out of your experience at the Annual Meeting. We hope to see you there!
Key Sessions and Networking Events for Medical Students
Foundations and Frontiers in Otology: A Hands-on Introduction for Trainees
Saturday, October 17 | 1:00 – 2:00 pm (PT)
Designed for junior residents and medical students, this high-yield interactive session offers a practical introduction to core and advanced concepts in otology. Participants will strengthen fundamentals of ear examination while gaining exposure to endoscopic ear surgery and the principles of cochlear implantation. The session emphasizes experiential learning, with hands-on opportunities under faculty guidance. Come spark your interest in otology!
Stations:
- Ear exam – use video otoscopes, tympanometry, and tuning forks to fine-tune your clinical ear exam. Identify ear pathology images.
- Endoscopic ventilation tube insertion and foreign body removal. In-office tube placement on a model.
- BAHA vs cochlear implants, trial a BAHA via headband, place an electrode, and learn about robot electrode insertion.
Next Steps Matching into Residency
Saturday, October 17 | 1:00 – 2:00 pm (PT)
Calling all Medical Students! Do you want to learn how to stand out from the crowd during the residency application process? Otolaryngology is one of the most competitive surgical residencies to successfully match into. This session will provide valuable insights and perspectives from a panel of Otolaryngology Program Directors representing diverse backgrounds and regions across the United States. Topics include reviewing the application process, recent changes, program signaling, research, away rotations, and step board scores. Additionally, the panelists will offer guidance on what makes an impactful letter of recommendation, how to avoid common pitfalls, and strategies for a successful candidate interview.
Emergency Airway Management for Medical Students: Oto Chautauqua LIVE!
Saturday, October 17 | 3:30 – 4:30 pm (PT)
This is a hands-on session designed for medical students that focuses on emergency airway management. Students will rotate through 3 airway stations and perform various simulated procedures on a 3D model. In the first station, students will learn how to use a flexible laryngoscope and identify relevant anatomy and perform a cricothyrotomy. In the second station, students will work together to perform a tracheotomy on a 3D model. In the final station, students will learn how to change and manage tracheostomy tubes and will demonstrate management of common trach tube-related emergencies.
This session uses a flipped classroom with a required online background module, which can be accessed here. Participants must score at least 70% on the pre-test for admission.
Scientific Oral Presentation: Advocacy Experience and Awareness Among Otolaryngology Resident Physicians in the United States
Saturday, October 17 | 4:24 – 4:30 pm (PT)
To assess the baseline level of advocacy experience among otolaryngology residents enrolled in US-based training programs and determine gaps in formal advocacy training.
Scientific Oral Presentation: Do Sub-internship Letters of Recommendation Matter? A National Survey of Otolaryngology Residency Program Directors
Saturday, October 17 | 4:42 – 4:48 am (PT)
Medical students pursuing otolaryngology frequently complete sub-internship (away) rotations and often perceive letters of recommendation obtained during these rotations as critical to residency ranking. This study evaluates program directors’ perceptions of the importance and influence of sub-internship letters of recommendation on residency selection decisions.
Scientific Oral Presentation: Too Many Programs, Too Few Days: Analysis of Interview Date Clustering in Otolaryngology
Saturday, October 17 | 4:48 – 4:54 am (PT)
Many otolaryngology residency applicants report conflicts with interview scheduling, yet such patterns have not been characterized longitudinally. Applicants specifically report facing difficult scheduling choices and even having to cancel interview offers due to conflicts, which can directly affect their chances of matching successfully. The present study characterizes interview date clustering patterns across nine consecutive match cycles to quantify the extent of scheduling overlap and identify temporal trends.
Mock Interviews for Medical Students and Residents
Sunday, October 18 | 8:00 – 9:00 am (PT)
This interactive session provides participants with an opportunity to practice and refine interview skills in a realistic setting. Experienced faculty will conduct 1-on-1 mock interviews for medical students applying to residency and residents applying to fellowship positions this year. Each interview session will be about 20 minutes and will closely mirror the structure and expectations of actual interview experiences.
Participation is first-come, first-served. Participants must bring a paper copy of their CV or residency/fellowship application for review and something on which to take notes. Having application materials available is essential to allow interviewers to tailor questions, assess application-specific strengths, and deliver targeted, actionable feedback.
Ultimate Medical Student ENT Challenge
Sunday, October 18 | 9:30 – 10:30 am (PT)
This high-energy, interactive session invites medical students to put their ENT knowledge to the test in a team-based quiz competition. Ad hoc teams will be formed on site, encouraging collaboration, rapid problem-solving, and friendly rivalry across groups. Questions will span core otolaryngology topics with an emphasis on clinical reasoning and practical decision-making. Don’t worry, we’ll debrief after each round to explain the answers in a relaxed and engaging way. The session will conclude with a winning team and prizes, making this a fun, engaging, and professionally relevant way to connect with peers and the specialty at the AAO Annual Meeting.
Not a student? Feel free to come and cheer on the younger generation!
Unlocking the Power of Allyship: From Health Equity to Workforce Value
Sunday, October 18 | 2:30 – 3:30 pm (PT)
This interactive panel explores current otolaryngology workforce characteristics and demonstrates how allyship practices supporting equity shape workforce resilience, high-quality care, and organizational value in otolaryngology. Through case-based examples and audience engagement, speakers examine how inclusive practices influence recruitment, retention, team performance, innovation, and patient outcomes. Participants will discuss individual behaviors, structural barriers, and policies that affect workforce stability. Attendees will leave with an actionable “allyship toolbox” to support a resilient workforce and advance high-value, equitable care at the level of their workplace and institution.
Medical Student Speed Mentoring Session
Sunday, October 18 | 4:00 – 5:00 pm (PT)
Connect with leaders in the field of otolaryngology, including residents and early- and mid-career otolaryngologists, at the Medical Student Speed Mentoring Event. This engaging event offers a lively discussion about the field and provides valuable tips for successfully applying to residency programs.
2026 SIM Tank Competition and Showcase
Sunday, October 18 | 5:00 – 6:30 pm (PT)
AAO-HNSF accepted proposals to be considered for presentation at the Simulation Showcase held during the AAO-HNSF 2026 Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO in Los Angeles, California. The top three most innovative simulation project authors will present to a panel of expert judges while competing for the top prize during the SIM Tank.
Preparing for Residency Interviews: Practical, Real, and Raw Advice from Program Directors
Monday, October 19 | 11:00 am – 12:00 pm (PT)
Join us for “Preparing for your Residency Interviews,” a valuable session where medical students will gain insights from program directors and current residents on excelling in residency interviews. Discover expert tips and strategies to make a lasting impression during this pivotal stage of your medical career. Engage in mock interviews to practice your skills and receive personalized feedback, ensuring you enter your residency interviews with confidence. Don’t miss this opportunity to fine-tune your approach and set yourself up for success in securing your ideal residency placement.
Academic Bowl
Monday, October 19 | 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM (PT)
This popular annual event is designed to foster a spirit of competition in a clinically oriented battle of the brains among residents. Interactive, multiple-choice questions are generated through the AAO-HNSF Education Committees and are designed to test residents’ knowledge in different otolaryngology subspecialties, the business of medicine, and new clinical research findings. The residency team with the highest score will win a prize and reign supreme!
Simulation Events
The simulation events at the 2026 Annual Meeting offer an interactive, hands-on format to enhance surgical skills.
Explore the Full Education Program
View the full education program to start planning your schedule.
Presidents’ Reception
Saturday, October 17 | 7:00 pm (PT)
The Presidents’ Reception is an unforgettable occasion affording attendees ample time to network and connect with colleagues from around the globe. The 2026 Presidents’ Reception will take place at the GRAMMY Museum and the Novo.
Harry Barnes Student Forum (Invite Only)
Sunday, October 18 | 2:30 pm (PT)
The Harry Barnes Student Forum is a key event supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion at the Annual Meeting. The Diversity Endowment provides critical funding of programs that will facilitate education and awareness, create an atmosphere of inclusion, and encourage pursuit of the specialty by underrepresented minorities communities.
Medical Student Speed Mentoring Event
Sunday, October 18 | 4:00 pm (PT)
Connect with leaders in the field of otolaryngology, including residents and early- and mid-career otolaryngologists, at the Medical Student Speed Mentoring Event. This engaging event offers a lively discussion about the field and provides valuable tips for successfully applying to residency programs. This is a first-come, first-served event, and it is expected to hit maximum capacity. Students should arrive early to get a seat.
Additional Events
We also encourage you to attend the General Assemblies of the Sections for Residents and Fellows-in-Training, Young Physicians, Women in Otolaryngology, and Otolaryngology Private Practice Section, participate as a guest in committee meetings of interest, and discover the most comprehensive display of the latest products and services in the OTO EXPO!
Childcare Program | Mini ENT Camp
Mini ENT Camp returns for its second year, offering professionally supervised childcare for Annual Meeting attendees. Children ages six months to 13 years will enjoy a fun, safe environment featuring age-appropriate activities, games, crafts, and interactive learning while parents participate in meeting programming. This service is designed to help attendees balance professional development with family needs. Parents will have the option to choose from full days, half days, or a mix of both from Saturday, October 17 through half-day Tuesday, October 20. Advance registration is required, and space is limited. Onsite registration will not be available this year. Register here.
