USC Caruso Department of Otolaryngology
Training & Education

Rhinology and Skull Base Fellowship

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The USC Rhinology Fellowship Experience

The Rhinology Division of the USC Caruso Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery is offering an advanced Rhinology fellowship designed to cultivate the next generation of leaders in the field of Rhinology and Skull Base surgery. This one-year fellowship provides extensive exposure to a wide spectrum of rhinologic conditions, focusing on both the medical and surgical management of inflammatory and skull base disorders. The fellow will benefit from a robust clinical experience at a quaternary care academic medical center that includes advanced diagnostic techniques, comprehensive treatment planning involving a multidisciplinary team of rhinologists, neurosurgeons, oculoplastic surgeons, immunologists, radiologists and oncologists, and state-of-the-art operating rooms equipped with the latest technology. Under the guidance of three fellowship-trained rhinologists and a fellowship-trained endoscopic neurosurgeon, fellows are expected to achieve expertise in the medical and surgical management of complex sinonasal inflammatory disorders, revision sinus surgery, endoscopic modified Lothrop procedure, medial maxillectomy, Denker’s approach, dacryocystorhinostomy, orbital surgery, repair of cerebrospinal fluid leaks and encephaloceles, and minimally invasive approaches to the skull base for the resection of benign and malignant tumors. Furthermore, fellows will be trained in the full breadth of Otolaryngnic allergy, including skin prick testing, radioallergosorbent tests, immunotherapy and the use of biologics. The fellow will receive a faculty appointment at the instructor level and is responsible for teaching otolaryngology residents through didactic instruction and supervision in the operating room. Throughout the year, the fellow is expected to gain competence in critically evaluating the rhinology and skull base literature, performing clinical or translational research depending on the fellow’s interests, and learning how to establish a thriving academic rhinology practice following graduation. Ideal candidates will have completed an accredited residency in otolaryngology, demonstrate a strong commitment to clinical excellence, and possess a passion for advancing the field of Rhinology and Skull Base surgery through research, teaching and innovation

Fellowship Goals Overview

Throughout the Rhinology and Skull Base Surgery fellowship, the fellow is expected to further refine an existing knowledge base through continuous reading of the Rhinology and Skull Base Surgery primary literature and core textbooks, and by taking an active role in the education of other learners. The fellow should also engaged in advanced reading for all operative procedures so that he/she has a thorough knowledge of the management of the disease and the associated indications, contra‐indications, complications and controversies and is prepared to teach these principles to other learners.  Additionally, the fellow will play a key role in the perioperative management of patients, as this is an important component of being an effective rhinology and skull base surgeon.  Finally, the fellow will be responsible for supervising the junior learners (residents) as appropriate for the program while also receiving instruction and guidance from faculty, particularly in regards to advanced rhinologic techniques. Fellowship faculty will be available to the fellow in a reliable manner for any form of professional assistance and mentorship. Fellowship faculty will also formally evaluate the fellow’s performance at regular intervals.

Research

The fellow is expected to complete at least one scholarly research manuscript suitable for publication in a peer-reviewed otolaryngology journal by the year’s end as well as submit a research abstract for presentation at a national or regional conference.

The fellow will choose a faculty mentor and design a clinical research project together.  They will then deliver a 10-minute research presentation on the project as part of the department’s annual research symposium.

Education and Didactics

  • USC Head & Neck Tumor board – weekly Thursday 7-8am

  • LA General Head & Neck Tumor board – Biweekly Thursday 4:00pm

  • USC Pituitary Rounds

  • Rhinology Journal Club

  • Grand Rounds – The fellow will give a 1-hour grand rounds presentation on the topic of their choosing in addition to attending weekly departmental grand rounds

  • Annual department research symposium

  • Cadaver lab dissections

  • Resident Didactics – The fellow will be expected to make at least two presentations as part of the rhinology resident didactic lecture series.

Conferences

Fellows have the option of attending all educational conferences sponsored by the USC Caruso Department of Otolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery.  This includes weekly grand rounds and didactic lectures. There will be sponsorship for the fellow to attend national conferences if they have an accepted presentation.

Teaching Responsibilities

The fellow will be a clinical instructor in the department of otolaryngology.  The fellow is expected to participate in the education of residents and medical students on the Rhinology and Skull Base Surgery service.  The fellow will be expected to make at least two presentations as part of the rhinology resident didactic lecture series and help with leading the residents through cadaver dissections as part of the education of residents.  They will also lead one journal club per year.

Length of fellowship

A 12-month fellowship will be offered to applicants who have successfully completed an otolaryngology residency, passed all 3 stages of the USMLE (or equivalent as recognized by the state of California), are eligible for a California medical license and credentialing at Keck Medicine of USC.

Application information

Applications, comprised of a letter of intent, CV and 2 letters of recommendation.

Please send inquiries and applications to Bozena Wrobel at Bozena.Wrobel@med.usc.edu