PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Overview: Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary strives to be a world class endocrine surgical center.  The Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery Division was established in 2002, founded on the philosophy of collaboration between thyroid surgeons, radiologists, pathologist and endocrinologists. The Division is at the leading-edge of advances in thyroid and parathyroid surgery and is a world recognized center of intraoperative neural monitoring. The Head and Neck Endocrine (Thyroid and Parathyroid) Surgical Fellowship was established in 2004. It is our intention, with a superb clinical training and strong emphasis on research and teaching, to nurture academic endocrine surgeons.

Objectives: To provide comprehensive training of fellows in  diagnosis and surgical management of thyroid and parathyroid disease by focused exposure to the clinical practices of our endocrine surgeons in the OR and clinic and through interactions with collaborating specialties.

Strengths: The primary strengths of Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary as a venue for a Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgical Fellowship are the large endocrine surgical volume, the close multi-disciplinary collaborative environment and the wealth of current and potential clinical research. The fellow obtains experience with both adult and pediatric population and is exposed to both otolaryngology and general surgery techniques and rotates between MEEI and Mass General Hospital. The fellow receives advanced training in newer surgical techniques like intraoperative neuromonitoring and state-of-the art care of thyroid cancer patients with academic and research work culminating into publications. The fellow participates in Boston Thyroid Club, held once a month, where endocrinologist and endocrine surgeons discuss clinical problems. He/she also contributes to monthly Endocrine Oncology Conference at MGH. American Academy of Otolaryngology (AAO), American College of Surgeons (ACS), American Head Neck Society (AHNS) meetings are integral parts of fellow’s schedule. Fellow has the opportunity to attend Harvard CME course on Thyroid and Parathyroid surgery, which is held annually since 1996. Fellow may have an opportunity to participate in Global Thyroid Missions where members of the Thyroid and Parathyroid Division not only provide goiter surgery in underserved regions, but also train local physicians to work toward sustainable health care for patients suffering from goiter and other conditions. Dr. Randolph and team members have recently been on Global Thyroid Missions to India and Kenya. Fellow teaches MEEI residents actively through lectures and by helping in OR.

Eligibility:

1. BC/BE otolaryngologists or general surgeons trained in the United States or Canada.
2. Graduates of otolaryngology or general surgery residency programs outside the United States and Canada who have passed the USMLE and hold a certificate from the ECFMG.

Fellows’ Duties/Responsibilities:

1. Clinical – Fellow participates in management of outpatient and inpatient care of all thyroid and parathyroid clinic patients. The fellow evaluates, outlines and implements treatment plans for outpatient clinic patients individually as well as under faculty supervision. Fellow learns and makes independent decisions for patient management and approaches faculty for support and guidance. Fellow performs surgeries and office procedures under supervision as well as independently. At the end of the fellowship, the fellow is trained to make independent decisions and manage thyroid and parathyroid diseases independently and assertively.
2. Research – A four to six hours of research time per week is provided to the fellow. The fellow is expected to take active part in ongoing clinical and basic science research projects.

He/she is encouraged to initiate and complete new projects. He/she actively participates in weekly Thyroid and Parathyroid Research Meeting. The fellow is expected to publish his/her research as well as present his/her research at hospital meetings and other conferences.

Supervision, Teaching & Call:  Teaching: The Fellow is responsible to teach residents and medical students during rounds and clinics. He/she will teach senior residents through scheduled lectures, usually once/three weeks. Fellow is expected to assist residents during surgery and guide them as needed in operating room. Fellow takes initiative and discusses selected topics powered by literature review on a weekly basis. Calls: There are no official call requirements

PAST FELLOWS

1. 2005 Cristian Slough, MD, Director Willamette Valley ENT, McMinnville, OR
2. 2006 Lisa Reid, MD (Gen Surg US) Ass Prof. Surgery-specializing in thyroid and parathyroid surgery, Cooper Union University Physicians, Camden NJ
3. 2007 Enoch Sanders, MD Ass Prof. Surgery-specializing in thyroid and parathyroid surgery, Virginia Surgical Associates, Inova Alexandria Hospital, Alexandria VA
4. 2008 David Lesnik, MD Attending  Otolaryngologist, specializing in thyroid and parathyroid surgery, MEEI Associates, MEEI Stoneham Center,  Stoneham  MA, Assistant in Otolaryngology MEEI, Clinical Instructor of Otolaryngology Harvard Medical School, Clinical Associate, Department of Surgery, MGH
5. 2009 Sara Richer, MD Otolaryngologist, Head and Neck Surgeon specializing in thyroid and parathyroid surgery, St Vincents Medical Center, Bridgeport, CT
6. 2010 Marica Zizic, MD, PhD Attending Specialist Otolaryngologist specializing in thyroid and parathyroid surgery, Department of Otolaryngology, University Hospital Sveti Duh, Zagreb Croatia
7. 2011 Andre Potenza, MD Head and Neck Surgery Specialist, General Surgeon at the Albert Einstein Hospital, Alphaville Branch, Barueri, Sao Paulo, Brazil, Volunteer Head and Neck Surgeon at the Hospital das Clinicas of the University of Sao Paulo Medical School, Sao Paulo, Brazil
8. 2012 Mohammed Alzahrani MD –
   Consultant and Assistant Professor Surgical Oncology specializing in thyroid and parathyroid surgery, King Abdul Aziz Medical City and University of Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
9. 2013 Ashlie Darr, MD Clinical Instructor, Department of Otology and Laryngology, Harvard Medical School
10. 2014 Niranjan Sritharan BSc (Med) MBBS FRACS (ORL) Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgeon Bankstown Hospital, Sydney, Australia
11. 2015 Rahul Modi, MS (ENT), DNB Consultant – Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery; Surgery for Sleep Apnea, Dr L H Hiranandani Hospital Powai, Mumbai – 76, India
12. 2016 Whitney E. Liddy MD Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine
13. 2017 Bradley Lawson MD  Otolaryngology -Head and Neck Surgery Licking Memorial Hospital Newark Ohio