Methodist Estabrook Cancer Center Nebraska Methodist Hospital 8303 Dodge Street, Suite 304 Omaha, NE  68114 (402) 354-5048 Robert Lindau, MD – Fellowship Director Elizabeth Van Winkle – Coordinator   Program Website

Number of Fellowships: 1 Duration: 1 year Surgical Faculty: William M. Lydiatt, MD Oleg N. Militsakh, MD Robert H. Lindau, MD Aru Panwar, MD Andrew Coughlin, MD Angela Osmolak, MD Andrew Holcomb, MD Non-surgical Faculty: Yungpo (Bernie) Su, MD – Medical Oncology Tien-Shew Huang, MD – Radiation Oncology Max Chiu, MD – Radiation Oncology Alireza Mirmiran, MD – Radiation Oncology Cam Nguyen, MD- Radiation Oncology Chandy Lockman Hoke, RD – Oncology Nutrition Jeffrey Markt, DDS – Dental Oncology and Prosthodontics Elizabeth Van Winkle, CCC-SLP – Speech-Language Pathology Carla Gress, CCC-SLP – Speech-Language Pathology Mollie Eckhardt, CCC-SLP – Speech-Language Pathology

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Overview: The Estabrook Cancer Center at Nebraska Methodist Hospital is among the highest-volume head and neck centers of excellence in the Midwest, serving a referral basin that includes not only Nebraska but also Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and North and South Dakota. The Head and Neck Surgical Oncology division cares for approximately 2,300 new cancer patients per year, including around 1,200 patients who are treated surgically. In addition to complex head and neck cancer cases, the program also sees a high volume of surgical endocrine patients.

The head and neck teaching faculty includes 7 fellowship-trained surgical oncologists from diverse backgrounds who are recognized leaders in the field. The multidisciplinary team also includes specialists in speech and language pathology, nutrition, dental oncology and prosthodontics, and radiation and medical oncology, as well as other head and neck support staff, including dedicated clinic and inpatient physician assistants/nurse practitioners.

Objectives: This fellowship offers comprehensive clinical experience in ablative and reconstructive surgical oncology. The fellow works closely with the entire faculty and plays an integral role in treatment planning and delivery of multidisciplinary care. Training is tailored to the fellow’s interest and experience and involves full-spectrum and well-rounded opportunities, including ablative surgery, transoral robotic surgery, endoscopic skull base surgery, and microvascular reconstruction.

The fellow will be responsible for the daily activities of the service, including the supervision of residents and medical students to ensure excellent patient care and a quality educational experience. The fellow will have a progressive operative experience commensurate with their ability and will graduate prepared for a future career in clinical and academic medicine.

Strengths:

• Broad exposure to all aspects of complex head and neck surgical oncology and microvascular reconstruction in a high-volume, state-of-the-art facility
• The fellow will participate in around 500-650 operations, including 100-130 free flap cases as well as complex endocrine surgeries, endoscopic and open skull base surgery, transoral robotic surgery, transoral laser microsurgery, complex local and regional flap reconstruction, etc
• Full schedule flexibility designed to tailor operative experience in line with training goals
• Comprehensive exposure to Virtual Surgical Planning (VSP)
• Extensive training in head and neck ultrasonography as well as sialendoscopy
• Weekly multidisciplinary tumor board conferences, including dedicated endocrine and cutaneous malignancy conferences
• Weekly academics conducted by the attending faculty
• Opportunities to spend dedicated time with collaborative specialties, including radiation oncology, medical oncology, dental oncology and prosthodontics, etc
• Funding available to attend advanced head and neck training courses as well as academic conferences
• Access to a dedicated physician’s lounge with complimentary meals and snacks
• Opt-in health benefits provided
• Salary commensurate with PGY level with paid vacation days allotted
• No expectation for revenue or salary generation; no general otolaryngology/ pediatric otolaryngology/ trauma call; the fellow’s time is protected to allow dedicated pursuit of advanced training in head and neck surgical oncology
• Emphasis on developing life-long mentorship relationships with leaders in the Head and Neck field
• Opportunity to train in Omaha, a thriving metropolitan city in the heart of the Midwest known for its low cost of living and abundant recreational activities

Eligibility: The department offers a one-year clinical fellowship in Head and Neck Surgical Oncology and Microvascular Reconstruction. The position is filled through the AHNS match. Candidates must have completed a residency program in Otolaryngology, General Surgery, or Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and be eligible for or have obtained board certification. The candidate must also be able to secure licensure in the State of Nebraska.

Fellows’ Duties/Responsibilities: The fellowship consists of a 12-month clinical experience in the multidisciplinary care of complex head and neck cancer patients. The fellow will spend 1/2 day per week in the clinic and the remainder of their time in the operating room.  Additionally, time may be allocated to pursue research initiatives and collaborate with other specialties in the multidisciplinary team. The fellow will supervise a team of resident physicians from otolaryngology, oral surgery, general surgery, and plastic and reconstructive surgery. The fellow is expected to act as the chief of the service during the first 6 months and then transition this responsibility to the senior otolaryngology resident during the second 6 months.

The fellow is expected to participate in daily rounds and to attend weekly and quarterly academic conferences, including tumor board, journal club, and M&M. Additionally, the fellow is encouraged to actively participate in educating and mentoring residents and medical students. There is no requirement to cover trauma, general otolaryngology call, VA clinic, or a dedicated fellow clinic. Weekly Saturday morning academics are conducted by the on-call attending, and the fellow will typically be free of clinical responsibilities for the remainder of the weekend.

Research Opportunities: The fellow is encouraged to participate in new or ongoing clinical research initiatives in coordination with the head and neck department and attend a national head and neck oncology conference.  The head and neck division at Methodist actively participates in several national clinical trials. The fellow will enjoy access to a robust medical library, several large national databases, and support from a team of research support staff.

Supervision, Teaching & Call: The fellow is responsible for supervising and teaching residents from otolaryngology, general surgery, oral surgery, and plastic and reconstructive surgery, as well as medical students from Creighton University and the University of Nebraska. Call is primarily covered by the resident team. The fellow does not participate in the faculty call schedule. However, the fellow is expected to be available for backup calls for the residents and, in particular, for any flap-related complications. The fellow is encouraged to play an active role in mentoring and teaching residents and students on the service.

PAST FELLOWS

Current Fellow – Herschel Patel, MD
2023 – Samuel Frasier, MD
2022 – Rodolfo Manosalva, MD
2021 – Tyson Nielsen, MD
2020 – Jordan Rawl, MD
2019 – Ricky Sayal, DO
2018 – Erik Interval, MD
2017 – Eugene Son, MD
2016 – Dana Petersen, MD, DDS
2015 – Veronique Wan Fook Cheung, MD
2014 – Andrew Coughlin, MD
2013 – Aru Panwar, MD
2012 – Marcia Eustaquio, MD
2011 – Robert Lindau III, MD