RUSH NEURORHINOLOGY AND ADVANCED RHINOLOGY FELLOWSHIP![]() INSTITUTION & ADDRESSRush University Medical Center SF MATCH PROGRAM ID#5635 FELLOWSHIP DIRECTORPete S. Batra, MD, FACS FELLOWSHIP CO-DIRECTORSBobby A. Tajudeen, MD Pete Papagiannopoulos, MD DEPARTMENTAL MISSION STATEMENTThe Department of Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery is committed to delivering comprehensive, cutting-edge, and compassionate care for disorders of the ear, nose, throat, head, and neck region, to providing outstanding graduate and postgraduate education to train the next generation of clinicians, and to fostering innovative clinical and basic science research to advance the knowledge base of the specialty. OVERVIEW OF FELLOWSHIPThe goal of the fellowship is to provide a dynamic 1-year subspecialty-training experience to train future leaders in the field of NeuroRhinology who will improve patient care standards, educate future trainees and peers, and conduct impactful research. The fellowship provides an intense rhinologic experience in a tertiary-care academic environment with a breadth of operative and ambulatory experience. There is particular emphasis on revision sinus surgery, complex frontal sinus disease, orbital surgery, CSF leak and encephalocele repair, and minimally invasive approaches to the paranasal sinuses and skull base for resection of benign and malignant sinonasal neoplasms. Medical management of refractory rhinosinusitis and diagnosis and management of inhalant allergy are also incorporated into the training curriculum. The fellow will play an instrumental role in perioperative management of the patients and supervising and teaching the junior learners on the rhinology team. The Division of Rhinology has an active research program (microbiome, structured histopathology, skull base outcomes, FDA clinical trials) that will facilitate broad research exposure during the fellowship. FELLOWSHIP DESCRIPTIONClinical Rotations:The fellowship employs the mentorship model and fellows work closely with 3 fellowship-trained rhinologists in conjunction with key interdepartmental collaborators in the operating room and clinic setting at Rush University Medical Center, Rush Oak Brook Surgery Center, and Rush South Loop. The fellowship is not comprised of set rotations; however, weekly assignments are provided ahead of time to prioritize exposure to advanced rhinology and skull base cases. The fellowship also affords flexibility to allow the fellows to develop skills in specific areas of interest. Weekly Schedule:The fellow will spend 2-3 days in the OR and 1-2 days in the clinic per week. One day will be protected for research and administrative responsibilities weekly. The fellow is expected to run independent clinic half day a week during the second half of the academic year. Cases generated from the clinic will be scheduled by the fellow with backup availability from the rhinology attendings as required. 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, structured histopathology and CRS endotypes, outcomes for skull base pathology, cancer registry studies (SEER, NCDB), and genomic profiling for sinonasal cancer (Tempus). Multiple FDA and investigator-initiated trials are also ongoing at any time. The department has two dedicated research coordinators to assist with IRB compliance 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). 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. The fellow will teach at rhinology conferences and mentor residents working on 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 course. This will be supported through departmental funding. Diversity of Cases:The attending rhinologists perform well over 500 cases annually, including primary and revision sinus surgery, complex frontal disease, orbital surgery, CSF leak and encephalocele repair, and endoscopic and open approaches to the paranasal sinuses and skull base for resection of benign and malignant sinonasal neoplasms. The Section of Rhinology and Skull Base Surgery has a robust referral pattern that spans the Chicagoland region with complex referrals directly from other otolaryngologists, ophthalmologists, and allergists. Rush University Medical Center has one of the largest transfer volumes in the state of Illinois for Neurosciences which generates referrals for complex skull base cases. The Section has a very close working relationship with interrelated specialties at the institution. There is close collaboration with Neurosurgery through the Rush Center of Skull Base and Pituitary Surgery. There is close clinical, research, and educational collaboration with colleagues in Allergy/Immunology, Sleep Medicine, and Pulmonary Medicine through the Rush Sinus, Allergy, and Asthma Center. These clinical programs and multidisciplinary care teams facilitate an enriching clinical experience for the NeuroRhinology fellow. The fellow will spend 2-3 days in the OR and 1-2 days in the clinic per week. One day will be protected for research and administrative responsibilities weekly. The fellow is expected to run independent clinic half day a week during the second half of the academic year. Cases generated from the clinic will be scheduled by the fellow with backup availability from the rhinology attendings Additional Fellowship Collaborators: Richard Byrne, MD Stephan Munich, MD Lorenzo Munoz, MD Kenya Williams, MD Mahboobeh Mahdavinia, MD, PhD Kerstin Stenson, MD Peter Revenaugh, MD 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. 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. Additional Information:Fellows are paid salary set at the PGY-6 level and benefits set by Rush University Medical Center. CURRENT AND PAST FELLOWS
The fellowship director has extensive experience in training fellows during his previous academic positions at the Cleveland Clinic and University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. Previous fellows have successfully pursued careers in academics and private practice.
SALARY AND BENEFITSFellows are paid salary set at the PGY-6 level and benefits set by Rush University Medical Center. REQUIREMENTS FOR APPOINTMENTApplicants must be either board eligible/certified otolaryngologists in the US. Applicants must also be eligible for an Illinois medical license. APPLICATION INFORMATIONApplications are processed through the SF match, and should be submitted through www.sfmatch.org. Interviews will be conducted in winter-spring in accordance with match guidelines. CONTACT INFORMATIONFor additional information, please contact by email: Fellowship Director:Pete S. Batra, MD, FACS Fellowship Manager:Kathleen Javor Stanton Friedberg, MD Chair in Otolaryngology Professor and Chairman Department of Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery |