The past year has been one of the most challenging in history, but each and every one of us acquired various takeaways, whether it be in our practice, research endeavors, or educational experiences.
Our residents launched the first ever otolaryngology COVID-19 intensive care unit in March 2020 at Elmhurst Hospital Center—a Mount Sinai Health System affiliate in the New York City borough of Queens—often referred to at the time as the ‘epicenter of the epicenter of the pandemic.’ Their efforts included staffing and operating the unit, in addition to procuring personal protective equipment and consulting with physicians in Italy and China about their pandemic experiences.