Head and Neck Fellowship

Objectives

The objective of the Head and Neck Oncology Fellowship at Western University is to develop leaders in the field of Head and Neck Oncology and Reconstructive Surgery. At the completion of the fellowship, the individual will have mastered contemporary concepts in oncologic surgery and reconstructive surgery of the head and neck surgery. In addition, academic development through independent clinical research, collaborative translational research, and medical education will be provided. At the end of the fellowship, the individual will meet the criteria to function as a Cancer Care Ontario Surgical Oncologist in Head and Neck Surgery.

Requirements

Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in Otolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery, Diplomate of the American Board of Otolaryngology (or equivalent) are preferred. However, this fellowship is not restricted to graduates of North American Otolaryngology residencies and foreign-trained candidates are encouraged to apply. For candidates trained outside of Canada and the United States, there must be clear documentation of qualifications and prior experience. Letters of reference and the applicants’ personal statement outlining career goals, are required. Documentation of post fellowship employment, with an emphasis on academic institutions, will be viewed favourably during the selection process.

Total Number of Positions Available per Year

One full year is the preferred time frame of the fellowship but depending on prior experience the fellowship can be tailored to suit the candidate. Options would include 1-2 years of clinical fellowship with an additional research component. In the event that a fellow is posted in their research component, a clinical fellow will also be selected. Every assurance will be made so that there will not be overlapping clinical responsibilities at a point in time.

Medical Center

Schulich School of Medical School & Dentistry, Western University is a large academic centre located in the city of London, Ontario. The Head and Neck Fellowship is sited within London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) and the Verspeeten Family Cancer Centre. LHSC is a comprehensive tertiary referral centre serving approximately 2 million people.

Fellowship Program Outline

Trainees in this fellowship program have the unique opportunity to learn and work with 64 academic Head and Neck Surgical Oncologists who are all fellowship-training in microvascular surgery from different North American Centres. This provides a rich, vibrant, and versatile clinical experience both in oncologic and reconstructive surgery. Microvascular Reconstructive Surgery is a particular strength of this fellowship and is the domain of the fellow. The fellow will participate in the design and implementation of a wide array of free tissue transfers for various defects. At the completion of the fellowship the fellow will have performed at least 100 free flaps. The fellow will also have the opportunity to participate in the full array of procedures for benign and malignant disorders of the head and neck. The Head and Neck Program also includes Transoral Robotic Surgery, skull base surgery, endoscopic laryngeal laser surgery, thyroid and parathyroid surgery, skin cancer, laryngotracheal reconstruction, and facial nerve reanimation. Routine ablative procedures including thyroidectomy, parotidectomy, and neck dissection is considered the domain of the Otolaryngology resident. The fellow will be expected to have a supervisory role when appropriate. An interdisciplinary approach to patient care is strongly emphasized. All cancer patients are assessed at a multidisciplinary tumour board and a consensus opinion is derived for the management of each patient. The fellow will have the opportunity to rotate through both radiation and medical oncology in order to gain a better understanding of the various disciplines.

Research

It is the expectation that the individual will be active in clinical research throughout the duration of the fellowship. With a robust translational research program in Head and Neck Tumour Biology and Viral Oncology (co-directors Anthony Nichols, MD and Joe Mymryk, PhD), the fellow will have the opportunity to collaborate with graduate students and basic scientists, and participate in laboratory and translational research. There are ample opportunities to participate with the translational research program in Head and Neck Tumour Biology and Viral Oncology (Anthony Nichols, MD), head and neck survivorship, epidemiology and systematic review studies (Danielle MacNeil, MD MSc), quality of life and facial nerve recovery studies (John Yoo, MD and Adrian Mendez, MD PhD), surgical simulation (Kevin Fung, MD) and education research studies (Timothy Phillips, MD). Criteria for success will be the completion of a publishable work and presentation(s) at a national or international meeting. A minimum of 3 publications are expected over the course of the fellowship. Clinical research opportunities are widely also available both within the Department or in collaboration with Radiation Oncology, Medical Oncology, Nuclear Medicine, and Endocrinology. The Department of OTO-HNS provides financial and administrative support for research endeavors taken on by the fellow.

Educational Seminars

The fellow will also be required to participate in a grand rounds presentation on head and neck reconstruction and resident teaching on head and neck oncology.

Specific Responsibilities of the Fellow

1.0 Purpose

The purpose of the Head and Neck Oncology & Reconstructive Surgery Clinical
Fellowship at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry and the London Regional
Cancer Program is to provide the opportunity for advanced training for physicians who have completed their specialty training. The Fellowship will center on clinical research and surgical training in advanced ablation and free tissue reconstruction of the head and neck.

2.0 Eligibility

3.0 Organization

The Head and Neck Oncology & Reconstructive Surgery Division within the Department of Otolaryngology evaluates applications and submits a candidate for approval to the Departmental Postgraduate Education Committee. The PGE committee along with the administrative staff helps support the applicants and their supervisor(s). All fellowships are under the overall supervision of the Office of the Associate Dean of Post Graduate Education, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University.

4.0 General Principles

The CanMEDS guidelines of the RCPSC provide the framework for Fellows to develop their program of study. Individual programs must have approval of the Fellows supervisor and the Postgraduate Education Committee of Department of Oto-HNS. Fellows are encouraged to individualize their programs to meet their anticipated career needs. In developing their program of study each fellowship candidate will be asked to show how their study will enhance their skills in the essential roles of specialist physicians according to the CanMEDS guidelines. These are outlined in a general format below.

4.1 Medical Expert

4.2 Communicator

4.3 Collaborator

4.4 Manager

4.5 Health Advocate

4.6 Scholar

4.7 Professional

5.0 Evaluation

Evaluations of all Fellows will be conducted at 3-month intervals throughout their Fellowship, in the form of ITERs similar to those used in residency training with a FITER on completion of the Fellowship. The Director of Head and Neck Oncology & Reconstructive Surgery of will conduct the evaluation process involving the supervisor(s), other clinicians and scientists with whom the Fellow has worked. Other personnel may be included as appropriate, such as, administration, nursing staff and technical staff. All evaluations will be reviewed with the Fellow who will sign off on them.

List