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 in Rhinology & Sinus Surgery under the mentorship of Rodney J. Schlosser, M.D. and Zachary M. Soler, M.D., MSc, since 2006. This fellowship is designed to offer comprehensive training in all aspects of medical and surgical treatment of primary and revision inflammatory sinusitis, anterior and central skull base neoplasms, orbital and optic nerve pathology, and otolaryngic allergy and prepare the fellow for practice as a tertiary rhinologist. Fellows have graduated responsibility, both in the OR and in clinic, with the opportunity for increasing independence throughout the year. This is a PGY6 position with commensurate salary and benefits.

Our former fellows have gone on to academic practices at Emory University, Washington University, Harvard University, Sydney Australia, and Cork Ireland. In addition we have had international research fellows who work in our Rhinology Lab and observe in the operating room and clinics. Our goal is to train individuals who will become future leaders around the world in rhinology.

Clinical Component

Surgical caseload (approximately 350 cases per year) currently includes approximately 25 to 30 percent sinonasal and skull base tumors, 10 to 15 percent non-inflammatory rhinology (CSF leaks/encephaloceles, HHT, orbital surgery, etc.), and 60 percent inflammatory sinus disease (90 percent revision/frontal cases). 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 of those areas. Per week, fellows will spend approximately three to four days in the OR, one day in the clinic with Dr. Schlosser, and one day of research/educational time. Experience in otolaryngic allergy is also available and attendance at courses sponsored by the American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy is supported.

Research Component

One day per week is reserved for research. Laboratory space and funding are provided for basic science research investigating the immunologic response of chronic sinusitis. Additional material is available for clinical research. Fellows are expected to write two manuscripts and give national/regional presentations of their research during the year.

Educational Component

The fellow is expected to attend Sinus Conference twice monthly and give three to four conferences per year. In addition, the fellow will serve as a faculty member for the Annual MUSC Sinus Course, a conference which draws physicians from across the country. An eleven station Sinus Laboratory is fully outfitted with video equipment, powered instrumentation, and image-guided system for self-paced dissection, research, and resident education.

Academic pursuits are required. This includes supervising medical students and residents in the design and execution of clinical, translational and basic science research projects and presentations. These research interests are tailored to the background and interests of each fellow.

Our fellows have gone on to a variety of academic positions. Prior fellows 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, NJ
  • 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.: Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI
  • 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: current fellow

Learn more about the fellowship at the American Rhinologic Society