Head and Neck Oncologic Surgery and Microvascular Reconstruction Fellowship

Overview

The one-year Emory Head & Neck Oncologic Surgery and Microvascular Reconstruction Fellowship, accredited by the Advanced Training Council of the American Head and Neck Society, involves all aspects of current, state-of-the-art head and neck surgical care.

Fellows are encouraged to align their experience with their specific interests. The year will include exposure to both complex ablative and reconstruction cases, the performance of approximately 120 free tissue transfers using a wide variety of free flaps and techniques, and the opportunity to participate in such robust clinical programs as a transoral robotic surgery (TORS) service and a head and neck endocrine surgery practice.

Goals and Objectives

Upon completing the program, graduating fellows should:

• Possess comprehensive knowledge of the diagnosis, treatment, and management of complicated head and neck surgical diseases

• Have confidence and proficiency in performing complex surgical extirpation of tumors and reconstruction of head and neck defects, maximizing patient outcomes in both form and function

• Be confident and competent with the surgical management of difficult airways

• Feel comfortable with performing TORS and endocrine surgery in the head and neck

• Perform well in a multidisciplinary setting for the care of head and neck cancer patients, partnering with radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, head and neck pathologists, neuroradiologists, speech and language pathologists, and physician extender providers (PAs, NPs)

• Be equipped to pursue a career in an academic, tertiary care setting

Eligibility and Application

Residents who have completed an ACGME accredited otolaryngology residency and are ABO board eligible or certified. A Georgia medical license is required.

Please apply for the fellowship through the American Head and Neck Society.

Program Faculty

Director:

Mark El-Deiry, MD

Co-Director:

H. Michael Baddour, Jr., MD

Additional Faculty:

Brian J. Boyce, MD

Amy Y. Chen, MD

Jennifer Gross, MD

Azeem S. Kaka, MD

Mihir R. Patel, MD

Nicole Schmitt, MD

Merry E. Sebelik, MD

C. Arturo Solares, MD

Clinical Responsibilities

Fellows are appointed clinical instructors, perform with the clinical and call responsibilities of an attending physician, and participate in level-appropriate cases in all aspects of head and neck surgery. Our team currently sees approximately 2,000 new cancer patients per year, and the fellow has their own clinic for one half day.

The remainder of the days are primarily operative. However, there are opportunities to learn from medical oncology, radiation oncology, neuroradiology, and pathology faculty.

Fellows present their patients at the weekly multidisciplinary Head & Neck Tumor Board. Opportunities exist for autonomy on the more complicated cases found at Grady Memorial Hospital.

Research

Participation in clinical research is expected during the fellowship year, and one publication is required. Accommodations for basic science research can be arranged based on interest.

Resident Education

Direct supervision of PGY1-through-5 residents will be a part of daily clinical activities. Fellows also participate in leading resident didactic sessions. Regular collaborative conferences are held with the neuroradiology and pathology departments and are used as forums to discuss difficult or interesting cases. Fellows are expected to provide teaching and guidance to the resident teams during surgical cases that are level appropriate.

Past Fellows' Careers

Ajani Nugent, MD: University of Miami, Department of Plastic Surgery

Sung Cho, DMD: Private practice

H. Michael Baddour, MD: Emory University, Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery

Pardis Javadi, MD: Southern Illinois University, Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery

Andres Bur, MD: University of Kansas, Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery