Skull Base Fellowship Registry

• Rhinology/Endonasal

Garret Choby, MD (Otolaryngology)
Paul Gardner, MD (Neurosurgery)
Georgios Zenonos, MD (Neurosurgery)
S. Tonya Stefko, MD (Oculoplastic Surgery/Ophthalmology)

• Otolaryngology

• Step 1
• Step 2
• Step 3

A dedicated surgical neuroanatomy laboratory is available through the Department of Neurosurgery at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine which includes three high-definition endoscopic stations with complete instrumentation. Fellows are expected to utilize this outstanding resource to prepare for complex cases, improve surgical skills and develop independent anatomical research projects.

Fellows are expected to engage in scholarly activity through clinical and/or laboratory research. The Center for Cranial Base Surgery has multiple avenues for the pursuit of these projects. A comprehensive research registry of skull base patients is available to address clinical questions. A dedicated clinical research manager assists in the development and execution of prospective trials affecting the management and quality of life of skull base patients. The Surgical Neuroanatomy Laboratory can be utilized to develop novel surgical corridors and reconstructive techniques. Finally, ongoing collaborations with basic science researchers within the University of Pittsburgh can be expanded to address translational research questions.

Lee Zimmer, MD; Allan Vescan, MD; Adam Zanation, MD; Amol Bhatki, MD; Harshita  Pant, BMBS; Emiro Caicedo, MD; Yew Kwang Ong, MBBCh; Steve C. Lee, MD; C. Arturo Solares, MD; Alec Vaezi, MD, PhD; Carlos Pinheiro-Neto, MD, PhD; John DeAlmeida,  MD; Shirley Su, MBBS; J. Kenneth Byrd, MD; Timothy DeKlotz, MD; Amanda Stapleton, MD; Chirag Patel, MD; Brian Lee, DO; Aron Pollack, MD; Thomas J. Wilson, MD; Mathew Geltzeiler, MD; Andrea Hebert, MD, MPH; Daniel Faden, MD; Philippe Lavigne, MD; Omar Ahmed, MD; Joel Franco, MD; Nadeem Kolia, MD; Vijay Patel, MD; Uma Ramaswamy, MD; Derek K. Kong, MD; Kent S. Tadokoro, MD; Andrey Filimonov, MD, PharmD; Lauren M. North, MD; Brandon R. Rosvall, MD (Current)

The one-year fellowship program in rhinology and skull base surgery at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center provides training in the full breadth of this specialty. Yearly, our fellows participate in more than 250 inflammatory sinus surgeries, including advanced frontal sinus and cystic fibrosis, approximately 75 resections for benign, malignant and orbital neoplasms, and greater than 200 endoscopic skull base cases including CSF leak repair and intracranial pathologies. The outpatient office experience includes the medical management and in-office procedures for rhinitis and rhinosinusitis. Exposure to a well-developed otolaryngologic allergy practice is also available. Under the mentorship and support of the fellowship directors, fellows are expected to develop independent research interests and projects that will result in both presentation at national meetings and publications. Additionally, the fellows are integral to the teaching of residents, both didactically and in the operating room. The graduated experience is designed to prepare individuals to develop into leaders in rhinology and skull base surgery, both locally and nationally.

• American Rhinologic Society

Applications are accepted through the SF Match (https://sfmatch.org/SpecialtyInsideAll.aspx?id=4&typ=1&name=Rhinology).

If you have any questions, please contact Mary Jo Tutchko by email: [email protected].