Research Responsibilities:
The Division of Rhinology and Skull Base Surgery has a robust research program with ample opportunities for the fellow to conduct impactful research. Particular areas of research focus include role of microbiome in CRS and sinonasal tumors, structured histopathology and CRS endotypes, outcomes for skull base pathology, cancer registry studies (SEER, NCDB), and genomic profiling for sinonasal cancer (Tempus). The Section has an R03 grant on Cognition in Chronic Rhinosinusitis in partnership with Allergy/Immunology. Multiple FDA and investigator-initiated trials to study surgical devices and therapeutics are also ongoing at any time. The department has two dedicated research coordinators to assist with IRB submissions, clinical trial recruitment, and other regulatory aspects of research. Statistical support is provided by faculty mentors with additional support available through the Rush Biostatistics Core. The fellow is expected to generate minimum of two original peer-review manuscripts during the year. Presentation at regional and national meetings is encouraged with funding provided through the department.
Educational Responsibilities:
The fellow participates in departmental educational activities, including monthly grand rounds, monthly journal club, monthly morbidity and mortality conference, and weekly head and neck tumor board (selectively to present sinonasal malignancy cases). Specific rhinology educational activities include semiannual rhinology education day, quarterly airway conference, and quarterly skull base conference. The fellow also participates in departmental annual CME course as faculty. The fellow will teach at rhinology conferences and mentor residents, medical students, and research fellows in rhinology research. The fellow will also supervise residents in the OR, clinic, and staff consults.
The fellow is offered the option to attend the American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy Basic or Advanced Course. This will be supported through departmental funding. The fellow may receive up to $2000 in reimbursement for costs related to travel to conferences for presenting research.
Rush University Medical Center provides $1,000 in Employee Enhancement funds each calendar year. The fellow may use this money to pay for tuition, registration fees, lab fees, classroom fees, membership fees to professional organizations, board exams, and study materials.
Dedicated Skull Base Lab:
The department has launched a dedicated state-of-the-art skull base lab through philanthropic funding. The fellows and residents have full access to the lab for conducting endoscopic sinus and skull base dissections for educational and research purposes at all times.
Call Schedule:
The fellow participates in the attending call schedule and is expected to take call approximately 4 weeks over the course of the year.