Clinical rotations
The fellowship employs the mentorship model and fellows work closely with 3 fellowship-trained rhinologists in conjunction with key interdepartmental collaborators in the operating room and clinic setting at Rush University Medical Center, Rush Oak Brook Surgery Center, and Rush South Loop. The fellowship is not comprised of set rotations; however, weekly assignments are provided ahead of time to prioritize exposure to advanced rhinology and skull base cases. The fellowship also affords flexibility to allow the fellows to develop skills in specific areas of interest.
Diversity of Cases
The attending rhinologists perform well over 500 cases annually, including primary and revision sinus surgery, complex frontal disease, orbital surgery, CSF leak and encephalocele repair, and endoscopic and open approaches to the paranasal sinuses and skull base for resection of benign and malignant sinonasal neoplasms. The Section of Rhinology and Skull Base Surgery has a robust referral pattern that spans the Chicagoland region with complex referrals directly from other otolaryngologists, ophthalmologists, and allergists. Rush University Medical Center has one of the largest transfer volumes in the state of Illinois for Neurosciences which generates referrals for complex skull base cases. The Section has a very close working relationship with interrelated specialties at the institution. There is close collaboration with Neurosurgery through the Rush Center of Skull Base and Pituitary Surgery. There is close clinical, research, and educational collaboration with colleagues in Allergy/Immunology, Sleep Medicine, and Pulmonary Medicine through the Rush Sinus, Allergy, and Asthma Center. These clinical programs and multidisciplinary care teams facilitate an enriching clinical experience for the NeuroRhinology fellow.
Weekly Schedule
The fellow will spend 2-3 days in the OR and 1-2 days in the clinic per week. One day will be protected for research and administrative responsibilities weekly. The fellow is expected to run independent clinic half day a week during the second half of the academic year. Cases generated from the clinic will be scheduled by the fellow with backup availability from the rhinology attendings as required.