Curriculum/Schedule

Fellowship training in Head and Neck Oncology, accredited by the Advanced Training Council for Approval of Training in Head and Neck Oncologic Surgery, is sponsored by the American Head & Neck Society.

The program, in existence since 1969, has achieved national and international prominence with almost all graduates being placed in academic medical programs.

The one year program, under the direction of Alice Tang, MD,  Associate Professor, emphasizes five specific areas within the field of head and neck surgery:

• The fellows will be familiarized with the surgical and non-surgical therapy of head and neck tumors. Emphasis will be placed on ablative head and neck oncologic surgery, including organ preservation laryngeal surgery.
• With the development of the anterior endoscopic skull base surgery program, in collaboration with the Department of Neurosurgery, the fellow will be integrated into the clinical and research activities and be expected to demonstrate a high level of proficiency in these surgical techniques.
• Surgical management of thyroid and parathyroid disease will be emphasized during the fellowship as well as office based ultrasonography and minimally invasive surgical approaches.
• Microvascular reconstruction of the head and neck allows for better cosmetic and functional results. Our fellow is expected to become skillful in free flap reconstruction as well as pediculed flap reconstruction.
• Our adult airway reconstruction program is a one of a kind program and an expansion of our internationally renowned pediatric airway program. Our fellow should be capable of performing airway evaluation and complex reconstructive procedures and understand when to intervene.

Clinical Responsibilities

Clinical responsibilities include the overseeing of care of all head and neck surgery patients at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center. The fellow serves an integral role as leader of the oncology team, overseeing the care of all patients.

Clinical responsibilities of the fellow in the operating room include participation in the majority of the head and neck oncology cases, overseeing senior residents in a supervisory capacity and active participation as primary surgeon on more complicated oncologic cases. Further clinical responsibilities of the fellow include seeing patients in the head and neck oncology clinic at the Barrett Cancer Center and supervising residents and medical students on head and neck surgery rotations.

The fellow also is responsible for organizing the head and neck tumor board. This is a multidisciplinary conference that supports interaction with radiation therapists, medical oncologists, pathologists and radiologists.

Fellowship Caseload

Our program is fortunate to be one of the few that can boast having four surgeons that specialize in free flap reconstruction surgery. The 2021-2022 Head and Neck Fellow performed more than 411 cases, of which 117 were free flap. The following is a partial list of cases performed:

• Radial Forearm
• Osteocutaneous Forearm
• Latissimus Dorsi
• Chimeric latissimus/scapula
• Anterolateral thigh
• Scapula (osteocutaneous)
• Fibula (osteocutaneous)
• Gracilis
• Rectus abdominus
• Greater omental

Research

The fellow is encouraged to devote a significant period of time to basic and clinical research. It is expected that all fellows will be involved in clinical research projects and participate in the presentation/publication of the results. Dedicated time is available for laboratory research.

The Department collaborates with the departments of pathology and molecular genetics, biochemistry & microbiology. Their facilities are available to the fellow for ongoing research projects. Laboratory animal medicine is on the lower level of the College and has fully licensed animal facilities.

How to Apply

The position has been filled for the 2023-2024 academic year. For AHNS fellowships beginning July 1, 2023, including our position at the University of Cincinnati, we encourage prospective applicants to review the timeline on the American Head and Neck Society Fellowship Match webpage.

As the program is accredited by the Advanced Training Council of the American Head & Neck Society, application and appointment to the fellowship at the University of Cincinnati is processed through the AHNS centralized matching program. Interested candidates should consult the American Head and Neck Society website for additional information, including eligibility and the match application, at the following link: American Head and Neck Society Fellowship Information. Questions regarding the AHNS application process or the fellowship match in general should be directed to: JJ Jackman, Associate Executive Director, American Head and Neck Society.

Questions regarding the fellowship program at the University of Cincinnati may be directed to Rebecca Reinert, Head and Neck Surgery Fellowship Administrator, at (513)558-4152 or gibsonrk@ucmail.uc.edu