Fellowship in Rhinology & Endoscopic Sinus/Skull Base Surgery

The Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at the Medical University of South Carolina has offered a one-year fellowship since 2006 in Rhinology & Sinus Surgery under the mentorship of Rodney J. Schlosser, M.D. and Zachary M. Soler, M.D., MSc. This fellowship is designed to offer comprehensive training in all aspects of medical and surgical treatment of inflammatory sinusitis, anterior and central skull base neoplasms, orbital and optic nerve pathology, and otolaryngic allergy. Graduating fellows are prepared to practice as tertiary academic rhinologists. This is a PGY6 position with commensurate salary and benefits.

Our former fellows have become leaders in their academic practices at Hopkins, Mayo Clinic, Pittsburgh, UVA, Columbia, Emory University, Harvard University, and internationally. Our goal is to train individuals who will become global leaders in rhinology.

Clinical Component

The surgical caseload is 400+ cases per year, including treatment for inflammatory sinus disease (60%, with 90% revision or frontal disease), sinonasal and skull base tumors (25 to 30%), and non-inflammatory diseases (10 to15%), such as CSF leaks/encephaloceles and orbital surgery.

Depending upon the interests of the fellow, additional surgical experience is available in open skull base approaches, rhinoplasties, and oculoplastic procedures with fellowship-trained subspecialists in each field. Each week, fellows spend approximately three to four days in the OR, one day in the clinic, and one day of research/educational time. Fellows are afforded graduated autonomy and routinely staff their cases as attendings. Fellows additionally learn to perform a variety of in-office procedures while in clinic. 

Research Component

One day per week is reserved for research, tailored to each fellow's background and interests. Fellows can leverage a robust divisional infrastructure, including statistical support, dedicated academic fellows, and projects arising from NIH R01-funded and drug/device industry-supported work. Fellows participate in regular divisional research meetings and are expected to write two manuscripts and give national/regional presentations on their research during the year. Fellows also supervise medical students and residents in the design and execution of research projects and preparation of manuscripts and presentations.

Educational Component

Fellows educate medical students and residents daily in the clinic, wards, and operating room. The fellow leads three to four didactic conferences for our residents and is invited to give one to two lectures to clinical groups at MUSC. In addition, the fellow will serve as a faculty member for the Annual Southern States Rhinology Course, a conference that draws physicians from across the country.

Professional Component

Fellows receive hands-on professional mentorship to chart a well-rounded academic career path. Our fellows are highly sought after for faculty positions. Fellowship alumni include: 

• Sarah Wise, M.D.: Emory University, Atlanta, GA
• Richard Harvey, M.D.: St Vincents Hospital, Sydney Australia
• Patrick Sheahan, M.D.: Cork Ireland
• Nick Debnath, M.D.: Washington University and private practice
• Ben Bleier, M.D.: Harvard University
• Eric Wang, M.D.: University of Pittsburgh
• Alkis Psaltis, M.D.: Adelaide University, Adelaide Australia
• Oswaldo Henriquez, M.D.: Emory University, Atlanta, GA
• Sarfaraz Banglawla, M.D.: William Osler Health System, Ontario, Canada
• David Gudis, M.D.: Columbia University, NY
• Anastasios Karnezis, M.D.: Kaiser Permanente Baldwin Park Hospital, Laguna Niguel, CA
• Arash Shahangian, M.D.: Kaiser Permanente, Stanford, CA
• Jose L. Mattos, M.D.: University of Virginia
• Nicholas R. Rowan, M.D.: Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD
• Fredrick Yoo, M.D.: Kaiser Permanente, Orange County, CA
• Ryan E. Little, M.D.: Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH
• Amar Miglani, M.D.: Mayo Clinic, Arizona
• Thomas S. Edwards, M.D.: Emory University, Atlanta, GA
• Nikita Chapurin, M.D., MHS: University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
• Vinay Rathi, MD: current fellow
• Alex Duffy, MD: incoming fellow

Learn more about the fellowship at the American Rhinologic Society