Head & Neck Oncologic and Reconstructive Surgery Fellowship

Program Educational Mission Statement

Train otolaryngologists to become capable and successful head and neck oncologic surgeons with knowledge and skills to participate in and lead multi-disciplinary head and neck cancer care.

Program Structure

This is a one-year clinical fellowship, with opportunities and expectations for research. At the conclusion of the Head and Neck Surgical Oncology and Reconstructive Fellowship, the candidate should have an extensive fund of knowledge in the multidisciplinary management of head and neck cancer and skills in surgical techniques. The candidate should be able to provide care for most patients presenting with a complex head and neck problem and be on par with his/her colleagues who pursued post-residency training.

The Fellow will participate in surgical, in-patient, and out-patient care of all head and neck tumor patients treated by full-time Yale faculty. The Fellow will be expected to participate in the operating room, clinics, multidisciplinary tumor conferences, as well as selected cancer center educational events and resident didactics. The Fellow will be expected to work with and supervise residents in the management of in-patient care as part of his/her training in transitioning to become an academic otolaryngologist.

Educational Goals

The goals for the fellow are to develop:

• Expertise in multidisciplinary management of patients with head and neck cancer.
• Thorough understanding of the complex surgical anatomy of the head and neck.
• Knowledge and skills in cranial base surgery.
• Knowledge and skills in reconstruction using local, regional and free flaps with microvascular techniques.
• Critical knowledge and comprehension of principles of:
  • Radiation oncology
  • Medical oncology
  • Maxillofacial prostheses
  • Oncologic nutrition
  • Head and neck pathology
  • Diagnostic radiology and nuclear medicine
  • Rehabilitation of speech and swallowing
• Expertise with open conservation surgical procedures and minimally invasive endoscopic procedures of the oropharynx/laryngopharynx including laser and robotic assisted procedures.
• Judgment and ability to perform complex, extensive tumor resections with an understanding of the technical limitations of surgical procedures.
• Detailed comprehension of the biology of head and neck tumors and the impact of this biology on therapy.
• Understanding of scientific methodology, study design, biomathematics, clinical trials, quality of life, and outcomes data analysis.
• Ability to manage a tertiary referral clinical practice, participate in continuing education, and collaborate in translational research.

Fellow Responsibilities

• General Responsibilities o Round daily (7 days per week) on Head and Neck patients
  • Conduct yourself in a professional manner towards patients, staff and other professionals
  • Respond to all calls from staff and residents in the care of Head and Neck patients
  • Treat staff in a courteous and respectful manner
  • Dress in professional attire when in the hospital or the outpatient setting (tie is required for men)
  • Work to promote a team relationship with all members of the staff
  • Provide support for office patients as well as hospital patients
  • Be available for clinical staff support in the outpatient clinic
  • Schedule time off to coincide with faculty time away
  • Attend outpatient clinics and assist with minor procedures
  • Be aware of local and national meeting abstract deadlines
  • Dictate operative reports within 24 hours of surgery
  • Submit post-surgical complications to the M&M Committee in a timely manner
  • Fellow will be paid a fixed salary
• Patient Care Responsibilities
  • Maintain an overall interest in the inpatient and consult management of all patients on the Head and Neck Service
  • Be prepared for all surgical procedures, including reviewing all surgical paperwork prior to surgery. Patient charts should be reviewed at least the evening prior to surgery to ensure all appropriate investigations and results are available for surgery
• Surgical Management Responsibilities
  • All in-patients are seen prior to going to the OR so that individual plans for the day can be set in process by floor team
  • All research consents are in place prior to entering the operating room
  • Fellows must report to the OR on time
  • Appropriate imaging and results, especially pathology reports, are available in the OR
• Post-Operative Care Responsibilities
  • Ongoing supervision of resident care of H&N patients in consultation with appropriate attendings
  • Supervision of resident daily examination of patients with special emphasis on wounds, drains, fluids, electrolytes, and nutritional requirements looking for signs of flap issues or fistulas

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and will continue until the position is filled. If you are interested in applying for the Head & Neck Oncologic and Reconstructive Surgery Fellowship, please obtain the following:

• CV
• Personal statement
• References with 3 letters of recommendation, one of which should be from the Chair of the Department in which residency was completed

Application materials and questions should be submitted to:

Eboni James
Fellowship Program Coordinator
Yale Otolaryngology (ENT)
333 Cedar Street
PO Box 208041
eboni.james@yale.edu
Fax: 203-785-3970