Background
The University of Florida Department of Otolaryngology welcomes applicants to our fellowship in Gainesville, Florida.
The Division of Head and Neck Surgical Oncology & Microvascular Reconstructive Surgery is committed to training Otolaryngologists in Advanced Head and Neck Oncologic & Reconstructive Surgery. This is a post-residency program that involves advanced training in the diagnosis and treatment of head and neck neoplasms as well as the reconstruction of complex head and neck defects following cancer extirpation and trauma.
The fellow will receive a robust experience in the spectrum of head and neck surgery while enjoying the many benefits of North Central Florida living.
Program Overview
Eligibility
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
- Applicant must have passed USMLE Step 1, 2 and 3 prior to fellowship match day. This is an absolute must for licensing, hospital credentials and visa applications. This is non-negotiable.
- Applicant must be eligible for an unrestricted Florida State Medical License (https://flboardofmedicine.gov/licensing/medical-doctor-unrestricted/)
- Applicant must have completed an ACGME or RCPSC accredited residency in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery including:
a. 24-52 weeks of surgical base specialty training (PGY 1-2). This may include 4-8 week blocks of: emergency medicine, general surgery or relevant subspecialties,
internal medicine of relevant subspecialties, plastic surgery, critical care, anesthesiology, or neurosurgery.
b. 208 – 236 weeks of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery including at least 36 weeks of Head and Neck Surgery. - Applicant must demonstrate proficiency in general medical and surgical management of patients in the acute and ambulatory settings.
- Applicant will have a robust foundation of knowledge of benign and malignant diseases of the head and neck, as well as head and neck reconstruction. It is expected that this knowledge base was developed during residency training.
- Applicant will have a strong base of experience in head and neck and reconstructive surgery gained thorough residency. A case log may be requested.
Duration
The fellowship is 1 year, but can be extended to 2 years. This can be decided upon on a yearly basis. A minimum of 1 year is required. If the fellow wishes to obtain more surgical experience or perform more research, a second year may be added.
Clinical Experience
The fellow will spend 4-5 days per week in the operating room and 0.5-1 day per week in clinic. Training will include the breadth of head and neck ablative surgery including: advanced mucosal tumor ablation, skull base surgery, thyroid/parathyroid surgery and transoral robotic surgery. Reconstructive training will include regional and microvascular free flaps.
- Ablative / Skull Base Surgery
Fellows will participate in at least 300 major ablative / skull base cases. As the skill level of the fellow increases they will be given opportunities to teach cases to residents. - Transoral Robotic Surgery (TORS)
The fellow will participate in all TORS cases for oropharyngeal malignancies and carcinoma of unknown primary. - Endocrine Surgery
Fellows will participate in simple and complex thyroid and parathyroid cases. - Trauma
To enhance bony reconstructive skills, fellows will participate in and teach maxillofacial trauma cases to residents. - Microvascular Free Flap Surgery
The fellow will operate with faculty and receive increased independence as their skill level increases. It is expected that the fellow will participate in a minimum of 100 free flaps such as radial forearm, anterolateral thigh, fibular, scapula, and lattisimus dorsi flaps. - Head and Neck Tumor Board
Fellows will attend a weekly multidisciplinary head and neck oncology tumor board. This will facilitate complete treatment planning for head and neck cancer cases. - Clinic
The fellow will participate in supervised clinics and run an independent clinic, from which he/she may book surgical cases.
Courses
Fellows will have an opportunity to supplement their training with courses such as Microvascular Bootcamp, TORS Master Course, and AO-CMF courses.
Research
Clinical and translational research projects will be available to the fellow. It is expected that the fellow will present their work at two meetings and publish at least two first author papers.
Teaching
The fellow will provide some didactic training to residents and students and be involved in supervising residents in the operating room. They will also be involved in teaching and head and neck anatomy course.
Contact
Nichole Haring
Program Coordinator
- Phone: (352) 273-5199
- Email: nichole.haring@ent.ufl.edu
Application Process
Application Window: January 1, 2024 to March 30, 2025
Start Date: July 1, 2026
Duration: 1-2 years
Salary: post graduate level VI
Licensing Requirements: Florida Medical License is required prior to beginning the fellowship
Fellows Per Year: 1
For more information please refer to the American Head and Neck Fellowship Website
To apply, please send a CV and three letters of recommendation to:
Peter T Dziegielewski MD, FRCSC, FACS
Fellowship Faculty
Peter T Dziegielewski MD, FRCSC, FACS
Dustin Conrad MD, FRCSC
Current Fellow
Department:
MD-OTOLARYNGOLOGY
Fahad S Aldhahri
Advanced Head And Neck Surgical Oncology & Microvascular Surgery Fellow
Past Fellows
Mohamed Shama MD 2018-2019
Position After Fellowship:
Endocrine and Oncologic Surgery
Tulane University; New Orleans, Louisiana (Academic Practice)
William Reschly MD 2019-2020
Position After Fellowship:
Head and Neck Surgical Oncology & Microvascular Reconstructive Surgery
ENT Associates; Clearwater, FL (Private Practice)
Dustin Conrad MD 2020-2021
Position After Fellowship:
Head and Neck Surgical Oncology & Microvascular Reconstructive Surgery
University of Florida; Gainesville, Florida (Academic Practice)
Robert Liebman MD 2021-2022
Position After Fellowship:
Head and Neck Surgical Oncology & Microvascular Reconstructive Surgery
Memorial Health; Savannah, Georgia (Private Practice)
Jared Crothers MD 2022-2023
Position After Fellowship:
Head and Neck Surgical Oncology & Microvascular Reconstructive Surgery
Naval Medical Center Portsmouth (Academic Practice)
Linda Chow MD, FRCSC 2023-2024
Position After Fellowship:
Head and Neck Surgical Oncology & Microvascular Reconstructive Surgery
Alberta Einstein College of Medicine (Academic Practice)
Living in Gainesville
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