Otology-skull base surgery fellowship program
About the fellowship
Director
Supervisors
Vincent Lin, MD, FRCSC
Julian Nedzelski, MD, FRCSC
Alain Dabdoub, PhD
Term
Two-year research/clinical position
Fellowship description
The otology-skull base fellowship program at Sunnybrook has declared a mission to produce academic surgeons with a global reach. It has trained more than 20 national and international fellows since its inception. It is the largest program of its kind in Canada focused in clinical care and research.
The program is tailored for those who wish to acquire skills as an academic otologist/neurotologist. We expect candidates to have already received adequate training in general otolaryngology, in particular, general otology. The amount of surgical responsibility is commensurate with previous experience and proven surgical skills.
Fellowship objectives
First year »
80% Research, 20% Clinical
- Develop skills in translational research in the areas of:
- Inner drug delivery
- Cell biology
- Cochlear implant electrophysiology outcomes and rehabilitation
- Clinical Responsibility - 20% time allotment
- One day/alternate week: ambulatory clinic
- One day/alternate week: ambulatory surgery
Second year »
80% Clinical, 20% Research
The fellow will receive advanced training in all areas related to the clinical, surgical and academic aspects of otology, neurotology and skull base surgery. This will be achieved by the following job description:
Surgical exposure (2 days/week)
- Skull base procedures: acoustic neuroma, meningioma, facial neuroma, etc. (approx. 30-50/year)
- Cochlear implantation: facial recess approach (approx. 80-120/year).
- Stapedotomy (graduated responsibility - approx. 50+)
- Advanced temporal bone surgery (graduated responsibility)
- Use of temporal bone lab facility: as per availability of cadaveric specimens.
Clinical exposure and responsibility (1.5 days/week)
- Attend specialty clinics (cochlear implant, facial nerve, dizziness)
- Assist supervisors’ clinics (1/2 day per week)
- Conduct dizziness clinics (1 day/week)
Teaching responsibility
- Lecture (clerkship, medical students 6X/yr - may be off site)
- Assist in conducting practical exams - 4/yr
- Presentation of grand rounds - 1/yr
- Presentation of hospital rounds - 2/yr
- Assist in teaching temporal bone dissection course for residents - 1 wk/yr
- Assist in running temporal bone dissection course (CME)
- Resident teaching - 4X/yr
Research Responsibility
- Minimum of three clinical projects in areas of neurotology - skull base surgery
- Minimum of two presentations at a national or international meeting
- One day per week dedicated research time (+ after hours)
Call responsibility
- First call
Only in situations whereby a resident staff is not available (no more than 10/yr). The call may be at the Trillium Health Partners (Mississauga) - Second call
Occasional nights and weekends for Drs. Chen/Lin (no more than 6/yr)
Resources
Alain Dabdoub, PhD
Research director, Sonja Koerner hearing regeneration laboratory
David Shipp, MSc
Coordinator, cochlear implant program
Leah Smith, MSc
Senior clinical research associate, cochlear implant program
Resource facilities
Surgical skills laboratory at Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto
Contact
Dr. Joseph Chen
Professor & Fellowship Director
Chief, Department of OTL-HNS
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
University of Toronto
Phone: 416-480-4140
Fax: 416-480-5761
Location and contact
Department of Otolaryngology
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
2075 Bayview Avenue,
M-wing, 1st floor, room M1 102
Toronto, ON M4N 3M5
Hours: Mon-Fri, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Otolaryngology Clinic:
416-480-4138
Audiology:
416-480-4143
Hearing Aid:
416-480-4997
Cochlear Implant:
416-480-6751
416-480-5761
