Advanced Oncologic Head and Neck Surgery Fellowship

About the Program

Fellowship training in advanced oncologic head and neck surgery began at the University of Pittsburgh in the Department of Otolaryngology in 1984.

The University of Pittsburgh, Department of Otolaryngology offers fellowship training in advanced oncologic head and neck surgery as a one-to-two-year commitment, designed to prepare you for an academic career in oncologic head and neck surgery. We currently have eight full-time faculty committed to this program.

Our extensive surgical program is merged with principles of modern radiation and medical oncology. Training in advanced oncologic head and neck surgery includes teaching head and neck surgery and participating in advanced oncologic head and neck procedures, including:

• Surgery of the cranial base
• Didactic training in the disciplines of radiation oncology and medical oncology

In addition, fellows will actively participate in:

• Weekly tumor boards
• Patient planning conferences
• All aspects of patient care

The fellow will be appointed as an instructor in otolaryngology, a faculty position. Applicants must be Board Certified or eligible for certification in otolaryngology. All applicants must be eligible for licensure to practice medicine in the State of Pennsylvania.

The successful applicant must be able to function effectively in a high volume surgical program with an emphasis on resident training and research. A multitude of opportunities for personal growth are available.

Research Opportunities

All candidates will be expected to identify and pursue some clinical and/or basic research activity, possibly designing a two-year training program. The University of Pittsburgh is currently funded by the National Cancer Institute through the Head and Neck Specialized Program of Research Excellence (SPORE), one of only 5 in the US, and also is a recipient of an NIH T32 training grant in head and neck oncology.

Fellowship Director:

Robert L. Ferris, MD, PhD
UPMC Endowed Professor of Head and Neck Oncologic Surgery
Vice-Chair for Clinical Operations
Chief, Division of Head and Neck Surgery
Associate Director for Translational Research
Co-Leader, Cancer Immunology Program
University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute

Phone: 412-647-2117