PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Overview: The fellow will be a key member of the head and neck service, with both extensive training in advanced head and neck surgical oncology, and opportunities to develop clinical independence. Our service is a cohesive multidisciplinary team  comprised of our core faculty, a world-class speech and language pathology program, an inpatient physician assistant, three otolaryngology-head and neck surgery residents on rotation, and our colleagues from neuroradiology, pathology, radiation oncology, and medical oncology. The fellow has full attending privileges, and obtains a rich experience learning to be an educator, while intensively refining surgical technique and decision-making.

Our fellowship offers a broad experience in all aspects of head and neck surgery with over 800 new patients seen per year. The fellow will develop expertise within: complex thyroid and parathyroid diseases, with certification in neck ultrasonography; endoscopic and open skull base surgery; transoral robotic surgery, with certification and robotics credentialing obtained; surgery for benign and malignant upper aerodigestive tract and salivary gland neoplasms; and microvascular reconstruction of head and neck wounds.

The fellow will lead our multidisciplinary head and neck conferences and take an attending role on inpatient rounds. A weekly journal club between fellow and faculty develops literacy in seminal head and neck research.

Objectives: The program is designed to provide advanced clinical training in head and neck surgical oncology and reconstruction, and thyroid and parathyroid surgery. The program offers rich research opportunities and support for candidates pursuing an academic career.

We are dedicated to developing the fellow’s vision for his or her academic and clinical practice before, during, and after completion of our fellowship.

Strengths: Our program has a proud commitment to provide empathic, technically excellent, and comprehensive care to our patients, recognizing our responsibility to deliver the highest standard of care currently available. We are proud to work alongside our fellow each year, providing mentorship from experienced  faculty, and introducing them to a rich network of colleagues worldwide.

Eligibility: AHNS Advanced Training Council fellowships are available to all candidates who have completed, or are anticipated to complete ACGME accredited Otolaryngology, General Surgery or Plastic Surgery residency programs, and are currently board eligible in these specialties.

Fellows’ Duties/Responsibilities: The fellow is committed to training for one year at the Oregon Health and Science University, and is involved in all aspects of head and neck  patient care. The fellow will be appointed to the rank of Clinical Instructor. He or she will participate in evaluation and treatment planning, surgical management, and tumor surveillance of our cancer patients. The fellow enriches the resident experience via didactics and surgical supervision. The fellow also has a weekly independent head and neck surgery clinic for one half-day, running parallel to a faculty clinic. This provides autonomy with expert guidance immediately available.

Research Opportunities:  Research is an important component in the fellow’s education. The fellow will publish two manuscripts during the year, with the guidance of the head and neck faculty. Faculty will provide access to technical research training, institutional and nationwide clinical databases, and collaborative opportunities with scientists at OHSU and other institutions.

Attendance and presentations at national meetings is strongly encouraged and facilitated, with funding available.

Supervision, Teaching & Call:  The fellow will supervise the head and neck surgery residents, functioning as an attending, rather than a chief resident. The fellow will provide didactic sessions to residents several times during the year, present a grand rounds, and directly supervise residents in level-appropriate surgical procedures.

The fellow is not included within the faculty call rotation, and only takes call for the head and neck service once every sixth weekend.

PAST FELLOWS
2013-2014 Daniel S. Brickman, MD – Charlotte Eye Ear Nose & Throat Associates, P.A.
2014-2015 Scott Troob, MD – Columbia University Medical Center
2015-2016 Virginie Achim, MD – Completed additional microvascular training, current faculty position pending.
2016-2017 Jay Ferrell, MD – University of Texas, San Antonio
2017-2018 Jenn Christenson, DO — Current Fellow