One of the greatest strengths of our program is you, our residents. You all have the potential of being not just good residents but superb residents. You have an obligation to yourselves and to the program to be the best that you can be. This means not just meeting minimum standards, but going the extra mile. It means reading a little more, working a little harder, communicating a little better, being a little more professional, and being a better ambassador for the Division of Otolaryngology.

As your faculty, we have a close informal relationship with you, but I can assure you that we take our education very seriously. When you are given an assignment we expect you to complete it. When we give you a timetable deadline we expect you to adhere to it. When you are asked by one of us or by a referring physician to see a patient we expect you to see them in a timely fashion and to give prompt feedback. We expect you to appear and to behave in a professional manner at all times. The magic is not in the major items, it is in the details. This is going to be a great year, perhaps or best ever, and it's up to all of us to make it happen. Be honest, do what is right, and treat others as you would want to be treated.

Jeffrey M. Bumpous, M.D., F.A.C.S.
J. Samuel Bumgardner Professor and Chief
Division of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery
University of Louisville School of Medicine