PROVIDENCE CANCER INSTITUTE - Portland

PORTLAND, OREGON

Name of Program: Head and Neck Oncologic and Microvascular Reconstructive Surgical Fellowship Program
Address: 4805 NE Glisan Street Portland, Oregon 97213

Areas of Focus:
Full scope head and neck surgical oncology, advanced airway surgery (tracheal surgery, laryngectomy, tracheal reconstruction), comprehensive reconstructive microsurgery of the head and neck including Jaw in a Day and optional experiences in DIEP flap breast reconstruction.

Program Director:  Dr. Ashish Patel

Contact Email Address(es):
Alyx Wheatcroft: Alexandra.Wheatcroft@providence.org

Website: https://gme.providence.org/oregon/providence-cancer-institute-oregon-gme/head-and-neck-oncologic-and-microvascular-recons/

Phone: 971-278-2325

Accreditation Status: CODA Accredited

Enrollment: 1 fellow per academic year

Duration of Fellowship:  2-years

Required Application Materials:

Program Application

Applicant CV
Letter of Intent
1 LOR from current Program Director
1 LOR from current program faculty (minimum)

Eligibility Requirements:

  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. Unfortunately, we are unable to consider any foreign applicants.

  3. Completion of residency training in an accredited program in oral & maxillofacial surgery, otolaryngology-head and neck surgery, or general surgery.

  4. Eligibility for either an institutional permit or regular licensure in medicine and/or dentistry in the state of Oregon.

Summary of Program:

The objective of the Head and Neck Oncologic and Microvascular Reconstructive Surgical Fellowship is to train academic head and neck surgeons who will provide leadership in the clinical practice and science of head and neck surgical oncology. This program is designed to provide a broad clinical training experience to develop finely honed skills in surgical diagnosis and treatment of tumors of the head and neck.

Key program elements:

  • Fellows will participate in clinical and surgical care of patients within the faculty clinical practices and have significant autonomy in patient care.

  • Training will cover the entire gamut of head and neck surgical oncology including surgery of the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, thyroid, salivary glands, skin, cervical esophagus, upper mediastinum, transoral robotic surgery (TORS), and skull base surgery. In addition, the fellow will become adept in the surgical management of complex benign tumors (parapharyngeal space tumors, carotid body tumors/glomus tumors, salivary neoplasms.

  • The second year of the fellowship is dedicated to microvascular reconstruction. The fellow will gain extensive and diverse experience in free flap harvest, microvascular surgery, regional flap reconstruction, Jaw in a Day, and comprehensive implant based dental reconstruction in the setting of oral cavity tumors.  The fellow will also participate in perforator flap breast reconstruction with a high volume Plastic and Reconstructive Microsurgeon.

  • Both basic science and clinical research opportunities are available during fellowship. Fellows are encouraged to complete at least one clinical research project suitable for publication or presentation at a national meeting. This will be completed in conjunction with direct mentorship with surgical faculty. The department will fund the Fellows to attend national meetings, microsurgical cadaver courses, and live animal labs.

Why Providence?

  • Providence Portland Medical Center is one of four area hospitals where fellows will perform major ablative head and neck surgery and microvascular reconstructive cases under supervision of attending staff. The vast majority of surgical activity occurs at this site.

  • Approximately one third of all Oregon head and neck cancer cases are diagnosed and/or receive treatment at Providence. This provides our fellows with a high case volume and diverse operating experience.

  • Protected weekly administrative time allowing fellows to participate in didactic seminars and conferences within the cancer center.

  • Optional research time in association with Earle A. Chiles Research Institute allowing fellows to collaborate with an innovative team of physicians and scientists to improve cancer treatment methods – seamlessly joining lab research and clinical trials with medical practice.

  • Dedicated Fellow’s office space with desktop computer workstation and microvascular simulation lab.

  • Full time Head and Neck Oncology Nurse Practitioner to manage the majority of outpatient care.

  • Full time Head and Neck Oncology Nurse Navigator dedicated to coordinating patient care.

  • A highly specialized staff though Head and Neck Surgical Associates and Providence Cancer Institute to schedule patient visits, tests, imaging and surgery.

  • Highly competitive salary with meal, housing, travel, and book/supply stipends.

  • Rich history of successful alumni. Our fellowship alumni are highly successful leaders in Head and Neck Oncology both nationally and internationally.