Fellowship Programs: Neurotology

Program Director:Jason A. Brant, MD
Program Faculty:Michael Ruckenstein, MD

Douglas Bigelow, MD

Robert O’Reilly, MD (CHOP)

Sherrie Davis, AuD

Program descriptionThe Department of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery has a two-year accredited subspecialty training program for one fellow in neurotology. The fellow receives training in otology, neurotology, and skull base disorders and surgery. The first year of fellowship, the PGY-6 year, is designed to augment the education and surgical skills developed in residency and enhance those techniques related to otology and neurotology. The second year of the fellowship, PGY-7 year, will focus on transitioning to become an independent surgeon with the knowledge and ability to care for the entire range of otologic and neurotologic pathology both in the clinic and in the OR.We have 4 fellowship-trained and board certified otologists/neurotologists on faculty. Through the Department of Neurosurgery, the fellow will have exposure to training in Gamma Knife radiosurgery. Following completion of the fellowship, the graduate will be eligible to take the exam for a Certificate of Added Qualifications in Neurotology, administered through the American Board of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery.
AccreditationYes (ACGME)
Start Date:July 1 (odd numbered years)
Duration:2 years
Fellows per year:1 every 2 years
Salary:Appropriate for PGY level
Licensing Requirements:Pennsylvania licensure required
Appointment Level:Fellow
Operating Privileges:Staffing required
Resident Supervision:Yes
Operative Experience and case loadThe program includes a robust clinical experience spread across four hospitals. The fellow generally exceeds minimum case numbers for the entire fellowship within the first few months. We perform all aspects of otologic, neurotologic, and lateral skull base surgery and maintain active collaborative relationships with relevant specialties including head and neck surgery, neurosurgery, interventional radiology, neuroradiology, and others. The fellow will train with four fellowship trained neurotologists and will have access to the temporal bone anatomy lab as needed for skills practice and to develop novel surgical techniques. Our faculty participate in all relevant radiosurgery cases, and our center is certified for auditory brainstem implantation.
Clinic Responsibilities:No fellow run clinic. Fellows will be participating in attending clinic in an educational role.
Research:The fellow will be able to choose between multiple existing research programs including bioengineering approaches to hearing restoration, genetics of hearing loss, informatics approaches to clinical research and population health, and central auditory processing. We also have collaborators in many departments at the University of Pennsylvania. Several of our previous fellows have developed their own research projects including ototoxicity and music appreciation in cochlear implantation. There are also many ongoing clinical research projects and we have active databases for cochlear implants and vestibular schwannoma. The fellow will have dedicated research time and the opportunity to work with residents and medical students.
Call Responsibilities:None
Benefits:Full participation in health system benefits/insurance package
Program coordinator:Bonnie Rosen
PC Telephone:215-662-2137
PC Email:bonnie.rosen@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
How to apply:www.sfmatch.orgApplication information including a letter from your residency program director or chair, two additional letters of recommendation, medical school and USMLE transcripts, CV  and photo should be included in your application.
FellowsPast fellows: contact PC for a list of past fellows