PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Overview: A Head and Neck Oncology and Reconstructive Fellowship.  Areas of Concentration include:

1. Microvascular free tissue transfer
2. Sentinel node mapping for head and neck melanoma
3. Minimally invasive head and neck surgery
4. Transoral laser and transoral robotic surgery
5. Endoscopic and open skull base surgery opportunities

Objectives: Goals and Objectives:

1. The head and neck oncology and reconstructive fellowship is designed to provide otolaryngology clinicians with an opportunity to expand their knowledge and level of expertise in this field.
2. The fellow will be expected to develop and complete one clinical research project, which will result in a presentation and/or publication. This will be developed with the Ear, Nose and Throat Institute staff and the research mentor, and will be concluded by the end of training. It is anticipated that this will be developed in the form of a manuscript which can be submitted for publication, as well as presentation. The fellows may also be involved in projects such as book chapters, but the primary goal of involvement in the development of the manuscript is to hone the skills of investigation and research methodology, and this will be the primary initiative outside of the clinical and educational duties.
3. Plan and perform microvascular reconstruction on the appropriate patient to include flap harvest and flap insetting using a wide variety of flaps including: fibula, anterolateral thigh, radial forearm, lateral arm, serratus, scapula, rectus, and latissimus flaps
4. By the conclusion of fellowship, the fellow will understand the extent to which his/her medical system impacts and is impacted by the treatment of head and neck tumor patients, and the education and research surrounding head and neck patient care. This understanding includes the unique multimodality approach to the head and neck cancer patient, which crosses many disciplines and levels of providers, and the synergy gained by working as part of a team of care providers within a cohesive system.

Strengths:

1. Dedicated head and neck faculty with diverse training backgrounds and over 60 years of combined experience and AHNS involvement.
2. High volume endocrine, cutaneous cancer, complex head & neck malignancy program with >140 microvascular opportunities a year.
3. Opportunity for National and International teaching program involvement
4. Opportunity for involvement in complex trauma reconstructive cases. University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center is a Level 1 trauma center.

Eligibility:

1. Successful completion of ACGME approved Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery Training Program.
2. ABOto Board eligible or Board Certified.
3. Candidate must be able to secure an Ohio Medical License.
4. Salary is commensurate with PGY level.

Fellows’ Duties/Responsibilities:

1. Participate in tumor boards: weekly Friday @ 7 am (head and neck cancer) Optional: monthly skull base and weekly cutaneous oncology
2. Rounding: encourage rounding at least 1 weekend day per week
3. Grand rounds: at least 1 presentation to the department on topic of fellow’s choosing
4. Involvement in the inter-institutional tumor board (joint effort between the Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals-Cleveland Medical Center)
5. The fellow has the opportunity (optional) to be involved with our international surgical outreach program that travels twice yearly to Kampala Uganda to perform complex head and neck surgeries and teach local physicians and residents.
6. Participate in Annual Head and Neck Microvascular Bootcamp

Research Opportunities:  We encourage the fellow to participate in at least two clinical research projects throughout the year (in conjunction with a resident and Case Western medical student). There are a myriad of opportunities to choose from.  The fellow has the ability to present any successfully submitted research projects at the AHNS spring meeting. This is fully supported by the department.

Involvement in the Case Head and Neck Research Collaborative

Clinical: Besides retrospective studies, the fellow can work with the clinical trial unit (team, CTU) to better understand the role head and neck surgeons play in institutional and national clinical trials and how to integrate this important aspect of research into their future practice.

Molecular Biology:  A collaboration between Drs. Ge Jin, PhD, Aaron Weinberg, PhD of Case Western Reserve University and Chad Zender, MD obtained an R01 to study innate immune molecules (human beta defensins) role in the development of head and neck cancer.  Other funded projects include studying HIV related exosomes impact on head and neck squamous cell carcinoma progression in a joint effort with the Center for Aids Research (CFAR) and the Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI)

Bioengineering:  The fellow has a unique opportunity to work with Ozan Akkus, PhD, from the CWRU engineering department, to develop innovations in head and neck surgery. There is also a yearly ENT innovation day where $5000 grants are awarded to help fund these ideas.

Supervision, Teaching & Call:

1. The fellow will have appropriate supervision by faculty for complex ablative and reconstructive cases, with progressive responsibility and independence as skills develop.
2. The expectation is that the fellow will actively participate in junior resident teaching in the OR and clinics. He/she will have a supervisory/teaching role for appropriate cases.
3. The fellow will have his/her own clinic and operative experience (1/2 day a week clinic and general OR cases as generated from this clinic).
4. Call: 1 day a month and 1 in 13 weekend coverage (attending level call)

PAST FELLOWS

1. Evan Greenbaum MD: (2014-2015)-Assistant Professor, Feinberg SOM, Northwestern University, Department of Otolaryngology, Chicago, Ill.
2. Sami Melki MD:  (2015-2016)-Assistant Professor Lebanese American University Rizk Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon.
3. Akshay Patel DO: (2016-2017) – Assistant Clinical Professor-University of Connecticut Otolaryngology-Hartford Hospital
4. Jason E. Thuener, MD (2017-present)- Clinical Instructor, CWRU SOM, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Cleveland, OH.