HENRY FORD HEALTH RHINOLOGY FELLOWSHIPINSTITUTION & ADDRESS2799 W. Grand Blvd SF MATCH PROGRAM ID#10795 FELLOWSHIP DIRECTORJohn R. Craig, MD, FARS FACULTYJohn Craig, MD, FARS DEPARTMENTAL MISSION STATEMENTThe mission is to teach individuals who want to delve deeply into the field of Rhinology to improve the care of their own and other surgeons’ patients locally, regionally, and internationally. This will be achieved through methodical surgical, clinical (non-surgical), and research training. OVERVIEW OF FELLOWSHIPThe Rhinology fellowship at Henry Ford Health-Michigan State University has been established to build surgical and non-surgical expertise in all aspects of Rhinology. Henry Ford’s Team Rhinology is currently comprised of three fellowship-trained rhinologists, led by Dr. John Craig, all who manage the full array of rhinologic pathologies. The main goals of the fellowship are to provide fellows with the skills necessary to perform safe and effective nasal, sinus, and skull base surgery for all types of common and complex rhinologic conditions. Fellows will also learn how to conduct research amidst a busy clinical practice, and specifically how to design studies to analyze diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. Fellows will learn that their research and surgical practices feed one another, with research being aimed at improving clinical outcomes. This approach aims to foster careers of inquisition, which should benefit both patient outcomes and surgeon satisfaction. The surgical volume can be explained in detail offline, but fellows will graduate proficient in the surgical management of all sinonasal and skull base pathologies (and specifically repair of various types of CSF leaks). There will also be a cadaveric dissection lab component to the fellowship, where fellows will have access to 1-2 cadaver heads on which to refine all their rhinologic techniques. FELLOWSHIP DESCRIPTIONClinical Rotations:All 12 months of the fellowship will be split relatively evenly between each of the fellowship-trained rhinologists on Team Rhinology. Weekly Schedule:Each week fellows will spend 1 full day in Rhinology clinic, 2-3 days in the operating room, and 1 day for research. Research Responsibilities:Research will be a central focus of the fellowship, with significant attention being placed on the research process. Fellows will be immersed in any of the ongoing or new research projects in the division, and will be encouraged over the year to develop at least one interest that he or she wishes to expand on after their training. Fellows will have one protected day per week for research productivity, but they will also learn how to integrate research into their daily routine. The goal is not simply to publish papers. They will do that, but we want to teach fellows how to conduct meaningful research to impact one’s own and others’ clinical practices. Conducting such research is enjoyable (ultimately) and helps foster career satisfaction as the years roll on after training. Regarding specific areas, we have a strong clinical research infrastructure and are developing a translational research foundation with PhD collaborators at Michigan State University. We have been tissue banking, and can prepare fellows for these types of endeavors should they wish. We also encourage multidisciplinary collaboration, as much of the progress needed in Rhinology hinges on understanding anatomy and pathophysiology of regions outside the sinonasal regions. Meaningful collaboration can open up new research and clinical avenues, also making for a more fulfilling career. Some examples of past and present research areas at Henry Ford include odontogenic sinusitis, chronic rhinitis, nasal obstruction (collaboration with rhinoplasty surgeons), nasal septal perforation repair, benefits and risks of middle turbinate resection, CSF rhinorrhea diagnosis and repair, and functional nasal disorders (including empty nose syndrome). There is no rhinologic topic we would not consider studying, so fellows are encouraged to bring new ideas. We want fellows to challenge surgical dogma, and learn to design studies to support or refute the current standards of care. Teaching ResponsibilitiesFellows will learn how to teach rhinologic principles to residents and medical students in both clinic and operating room settings. This is critical toward spreading rhinologic knowledge to future generations, while stressing the gaps in current understanding and need for further improvements. Fellows will also participate in and help lead monthly sinus and skull base imaging conferences, and participate as faculty at our annual resident dissection course. We will help fellows develop their oral presentation skills as well, both as a means to teach Rhinology to those in training, but also to amplify the impact of their research. They will be encouraged to present at local, national, and international meetings, and deliver one grand rounds presentation to our Henry Ford Otolaryngology department. A regimented process will be put in place to ensure refinement of their oral presentation skills. Fellows will also learn to edit endoscopic videos, and how to create videos for a variety of purposes. All these skills are essential for and should be refined tirelessly throughout one’s academic career. Diversity of Cases:Fellows will become proficient at all aspects of Rhinology by managing common and complex conditions. Most critically, they will learn how to work up all rhinologic conditions efficiently so that the right surgical or non-surgical intervention is pursued for each individual patient. Surgically, they will graduate confident in performing nasal airway surgery (not rhinoplasty), primary and revision sinus surgery for inflammatory and infectious sinusitis, extended approaches for maxillary, sphenoid, and frontal sinuses for sinusitis, tumors, and CSF leaks, endoscopic orbital surgeries (DCR, orbital and optic nerve decompressions, and intraorbital tumor removal), and the full repertoire of approaches and reconstructive techniques for skull base tumor resections. Fellows will maintain a thorough case log throughout the year that facilitates clinical and research goals, the template which can be carried on into their careers. Call Schedule:US fellows would take faculty call, up to 3 weeks per year. International fellows would cover call with Team Rhinology, with no individual call coverage responsibility. Additional Information:CURRENT AND PAST FELLOWSFellowship begins July 2026 REQUIREMENTS FOR APPOINTMENTFor US applicants, applicants must meet the prerequisites for obtaining a Michigan Medical License and be eligible for credentialing at the Henry Ford Health. Typically, this involves being a U.S. citizen or holding permanent resident status. For international applicants, it is possible, but we must consider on an individual basis due to various regulations at both state and institutional levels. APPLICATION INFORMATIONApplications are processed through the SF match, and should be submitted through www.sfmatch.org. APPLICATION DEADLINEApplications are processed through the SF match, and should be submitted through www.sfmatch.org. CONTACT INFORMATIONJohn R. Craig, MD, FARS |