Overview:
The mission of the University of Florida Rhinology and Skull Base Surgery fellowship is to provide advanced training in management of complex sinus, nasal, and skull base disorders that is beyond the scope of standard otolaryngology training. The one-year fellowship will offer comprehensive clinical and surgical training in management of paranasal sinus disease, benign and malignant tumor surgery, and anterior skull base endoscopic and skull base approaches. Our division within the UF Department of Otolaryngology is a busy tertiary specialty center with a statewide and regional referral base with over 600+ operative cases performed each year. The fellow will work closely with faculty and be an integral part of the UF Health Comprehensive Skull Base Surgery Center.
Depending an individual fellow’s interest, additional surgical experience is available in open skull base approaches and reconstruction. We are also able to accommodate additional training in rhinoplasty and sleep surgery if desired.
Typical Schedule
Mon-Thursday – OR at Shands UF Health Shands Hospital
Friday AM – independent fellow clinic
Friday PM – Research/independent time or fellow-led cases
Anticipated skill set of program graduates
Be able to perform and manage patient with complex rhinologic and skull base conditions, including:
- Approaches for anterior skull base surgery
- Resection of benign and malignant sinonasal tumors
- Perform effective skull base reconstruction
- Have fundamental understanding of primary revision sinus surgery
- Learn how to lead clinical teams and effectively be involved in resident teaching
- Further develop research skill set
Clinical Sites
Application Process:
Academic Year 2025-2026: FILLED
Academic Year 2026-2027: FILLED
Academic Year 2027-2028: THROUGH SF MATCH
Prerequisites for applicants: Candidates must be graduates of ACGME-accredited residency programs in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. Applicant must be board-eligible and be in good standing to apply and receive Florida State medical license. To function in a gradually autonomous fashion, the incoming fellow must have completed an ACGME accredited residency program in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. This would allow the fellow to take faculty call and provide clinical service covered under their approved privileges from residency training and manage their own clinic patients in select cases. Other clinical duties will be subject to direct and indirect supervision from UF clinical faculty members.
Start Date: July 1
Duration: 1 year
Salary & Benefits: PGY6 UF salary benchmark
Fellows Per Year: 1
To apply, please send an application through the SF Match portal or reach out directly to the Fellowship Director Dr. Nikita Chapurin.
Nikita Chapurin MD, MHS
Faculty:
Nikita Chapurin MD, MHS
Jeb M Justice MD
Brian C Lobo MD
William O Collins MD
Jennifer K Mulligan PhD
Adjunct Faculty – Neurosurgery:
Matthew J Koch MD
Jason Blatt MD, FAANS, FAAP
Steven N Roper M.D.
Current Fellow:
Fahad S Aldhahri
Future Fellow:
2026-27: Drew Smith, MD