Head & Neck Fellowship

The Head and Neck Institute, in affiliation with the Providence Cancer Institute and the Legacy Cancer Institute, is accepting applications for our fellowship in Head and Neck Oncologic and Microvascular Reconstructive Surgery. Fellows are trained as academic head and neck surgeons who will provide leadership in the clinical practice and science of head and neck surgical oncology. Positions are funded.

Patients treated for head and neck malignancy are managed by the surgeons of The Head and Neck Institute, Portland, Oregon for the surgical/reconstructive aspects of their care. Major ablative head and neck surgery and microvascular reconstruction cases are performed by attending staff and the head and neck fellow at four area hospitals: Providence Portland Medical Center, Providence St. Vincent Medical Center, Legacy Emanuel Medical Center and Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center. Research opportunities are available in association with the Earle A. Chiles Research Institute at the Robert W. Franz Cancer Center.

The two-year fellowship in head and neck oncologic and microvascular reconstructive surgery involves clinical training that emphasizes a multidisciplinary approach to the management of head and neck cancer. Successful applicants are expected to complete a two-year clinical fellowship. Surgical instruction in the first year involves all aspects of head and neck surgical oncology, including:

• Full scope ablative head and neck oncology experience including, mucosal, paranasal/skull base, salivary, thyroid and cutaneous disease
• Transoral robotic and laser surgery for head and neck malignancies including oropharyngeal, tongue, larynx
• Endocrine experience including management of thyroid and parathyroid malignancies
• Management of advanced benign lesions of the head and neck including salivary, schwannoma, paraganglioma, odontogenic tumors, etc.
• Comprehensive surgical management of the head and neck oncology patient including ancillary procedures such as airway reconstruction, voice restoration.

The two-year fellowship provides an additional year of head and neck surgical experience in addition to a concentrated year dedicated to reconstructive microvascular surgery.

• Reconstructive experience including local, regional, and free tissue transfer for ablative defects of the head and neck.
• Additional training in reconstruction of thoracic and chest wall defects with perforator free flaps
• Protected research time

The three-year fellowship provides one year of immuno-oncology research at the Earle A. Chiles Research Institute at the Robert W. Franz Cancer Center, followed by an optional 2 years of clinical training. The purpose of the fellowship program in surgical immuno-oncology is to provide a structured educational and training experience necessary to facilitate expertise in immuno-oncology, and to provide a foundation in research methodology that will equip the fellow for a successful academic career in head and neck surgical oncology.

Candidates for the Fellowship in Head and Neck Oncologic and Reconstructive Microvascular Surgery must hold a dental degree (the addition of a medical degree is strongly preferred) and have completed a residency program in oral and maxillofacial surgery. In addition, all candidates should be board-eligible in the United States and must be licensed in the state of Oregon or be eligible for an institutional permit to practice medicine or dentistry.

Participants are selected through a process that involves review of a written application, including letters of reference from past mentors and program directors and a personal interview. Final selections are made at least six months before the scheduled starting date.

To be considered for the two-year fellowship in head and neck oncologic and reconstructive microvascular surgery, applicants must be registered with the AACMFS Match, https://www.aacmfsmatch.org

Program Director: Ashish Patel, MD, DDS, FACS
Contact: [email protected]; [email protected]
Websites: www.head-neck.com
https://gme.providence.org/oregon/providence-cancer-institute-oregon-fellowship-pr/head-and-neck-oncologic-and-microvascular-recons/

Number of Positions Available Each Year: 1

1. A copy of your current Curriculum Vitae.
2. A letter addressed to Dr. Patel at emails above describing your interests and your future plans after completion of your training. We are particularly interested in how you plan to utilize the experience the fellowship would offer you.
3. Two letters of reference: one from your residency chairman or program director, and one from another colleague or mentor.

1. Graduation from an accredited dental school. A medical degree is strongly recommended.
2. The fellowship is available to U.S. residents and “green card” holders only. We are unable to consider any foreign applicants.
3. Completion of residency training in an accredited program in oral & maxillofacial surgery.
4. Completion of at least one year of general surgery, preferably including one month of ICU experience, or its equivalent.
5. Eligibility for either an institutional permit or regular licensure in medicine and/or dentistry in the state of Oregon.