Pediatric Otolaryngology Fellowship

Overview

The one-year Emory Pediatric Otolaryngology fellowship provides broad exposure to all aspects of pediatric head and neck care. Emory and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta serve as regional and national referral centers for complex pediatric issues, including complex open and endoscopic airway surgery, surgical hearing rehabilitation through cochlear implants and bone conduction aids, a busy endocrine surgery practice, cleft and velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) care, and advanced sinus and skull base surgery. The program also supports a large vascular anomalies population, one of the busiest pediatric head and neck cancer programs in the country, and cutting-edge care such as 3D printed external tracheal splinting for severe malacia and Ex-Utero Intrapartum Treatment for high-risk fetal airway anomalies.

There is a robust multi-disciplinary care experience, with clinics dedicated to aerodigestive pathology, complex dysphagia, hearing loss, tracheostomy care, vascular anomalies, and refractory sleep apnea. We also support disease-specific coordinated care for Turner Syndrome, bone marrow failure, head and neck cancer, and thyroid disease. Fellows have the opportunity to participate in international medical mission work.

At the conclusion of the fellowship, candidates will be prepared to succeed in a complex pediatric otolaryngology practice and meet the demands of an academic otolaryngology position.

Goals and Objectives

Upon completing the program, graduating fellows will:

• Have a comprehensive knowledge of management options for pediatric ear, nose, and throat disorders in medically complex patients

• Feel comfortable performing advanced middle ear surgery, cochlear implants, open and endoscopic airway reconstructions, cleft lip and palate repair, surgical treatment of vascular malformations, extended sinonasal surgery, excision of complex head and neck tumors, and microtia/atresia surgery

• Be able to proficiently coordinate multidisciplinary care for pediatric otolaryngology patients

• Be equipped to pursue research in an academic medical setting

Clinical Responsibilities

Fellows will participate in level-appropriate operative cases across the breadth of pediatric otolaryngology at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, where nearly 10,000 otolaryngology cases are performed annually. Fellows typically complete key indicator case minimums by December or January of their fellowship year, leaving ample time for specialization. Fellows also participate in both general and specialty clinics at the Center for Advanced Pediatrics and take an active role in managing the consult service. Find more information about otolaryngology care at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta here.

Research and Outreach

Participation in clinical research is expected during the fellowship year, and support for presentations at national meetings will be provided. There will also be opportunities to participate in international mission work.

Resident Education

Direct supervision of PGY-1, PGY-2, and PGY-4 residents will be a daily part of clinical activities. Fellows also participate in leading resident didactic sessions and quality improvement conferences. Regular collaborative conference are held with the neuroradiology and speech pathology departments and used as a forum to discuss difficult or interesting cases. Opportunities for formal training in medical education are available through Emory University.

The Emory + Children's Community

Pediatric otolaryngology fellows have a variety of resources available to them in the departments of Otolaryngology and Pediatrics through both Emory University and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta.  Follow this link to learn more about the educational community and life in Atlanta. 

Eligibility and Application

Qualified applicants should have completed an ACGME or Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada-accredited otolaryngology residency and be board eligible or board certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology. A Georgia medical training license is required.

To apply, please submit the ASPO universal fellowship application, including your CV, personal statement and three letters of recommendation.

Program Faculty

Director:

Kara Prickett, MD

Dr. Prickett is an Associate Professor of Otolaryngology and Pediatrics who enjoys the complete spectrum of pediatric otolaryngology, particularly the care of children with head and neck tumors and airway problems. She completed her otolaryngology residency at Emory University Hospital, and her pediatric otolaryngology fellowship at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. She serves as a member of Emory's multidisciplinary thyroid cancer team and the head and neck free flap team. She played a vital role in the development of the EXIT (ex-utero intrapartum treatment) program, a collaborative effort that relies on experts from Emory clinical facilities, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA), and Grady Memorial Hospital to assist mothers with the safe delivery of babies with congenital airway obstruction. Dr. Prickett also works to provide multidisciplinary care for children with tracheostomies or home ventilators through the Technology Dependent Clinic at CHOA's Center for Advanced Pediatrics.

Additional Faculty:

• Kristan Alfonso, MD

• Clarice Brown, MD

• Anita Deshpande, MD

• Sean Evans, MD

• Steven Goudy, MD

• Nandini Govil, MD

• Nikhila Raol, MD, MPH

Prior Fellows: