Clinical

On completion of their fellowship training at University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, the Head and Neck Fellow will have mastered the examination and diagnosis of benign and malignant lesions involving the head and neck. The program teaches the appropriate reconstruction and rehabilitation techniques used in the management of these patients.

To achieve these objectives the fellowship training is largely clinically directed, allowing fellows the opportunity to participate in a variety of procedures. These range from skull base resection to laryngeal rehabilitation. In addition, the fellow routinely performs between 35 to 45 free tissue transfers during one year of clinical training.

Understanding the importance of an interdisciplinary approach to the treatment of head and neck cancer is encouraged through the coordination of the Head and Neck Cancer Tumor Board, where proficiency in the management of these patients is discussed.

Research

During the fellowship, the fellow completes a clinical and/or basic science research project relating to the field of head and neck oncology. A variety of research opportunities are available in the field of outcomes evaluation and quality of life assessment for head and neck cancer patients. In addition the fellow has a variety of basic science laboratories available within which they may coordinate research projects.

The Fellowship Environment

UI Hospitals & Clinics serves as a major tertiary care center for the Midwest. Nearly 25 percent of the 35, 000 yearly outpatient visits to our department are cancer related. Approximately 500 patients are referred to the University of Iowa every year for management of head and neck cancer, and 300 of these are treated surgically. Patients stay in the Clinical Cancer Center, opened in 1994. The UI Hospitals & Clinics surgical ward, opened in 1991, consists of 24 operating suites.

Course Structure

The clinical work will be performed under the supervision of the fellowship director and the Head and Neck Oncologic faculty within the dept. The fellow is expected to coordinate the multidisciplinary Head and Neck Cancer Tumor Board. They are also required to attend regular departmental meetings, including Grand Rounds, Morbidity and Mortality Conferences Head and Neck Oncology Rounds, Head and Neck Plastics Conferences amongst others. The fellow is expected to actively participate in the education of residents and medical students in the operating room, on the wards, and in the clinic.

Interdisciplinary Approach

One of the greatest strengths of the fellowship training at the University of Iowa is the collaboration between the Otolaryngology service and other subspecialties. Cooperation and involvement with Cardiothoracic surgery, Neurosurgery, Oculoplastics surgery, Oral Maxillofacial Surgery, and General Surgery is routine.