The AdventHealth Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery APP Fellowship

The fellowship demands a strong foundation in anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology of the head and neck, as well as a readiness to build proficiency in performing comprehensive patient evaluations, assisting in complex surgical procedures and managing pre- and postoperative care. By the end of the fellowship year, the fellow should have experience in the following:

• Otolaryngology, head, neck, and neurotology clinic:
  • Obtaining a patient history and physical examination
  • Ordering and performing diagnostic studies, including labs, imaging, fiberoptic laryngoscopy
  • Formulating a differential diagnosis and plan of care
  • Applied pharmacology
  • Radiographic and laboratory interpretation
    
• Inpatient care and management
• Surgical first assist

Our clinical curriculum is designed around core rotation blocks:

Head and neck, where he/she will gain experience in the following:

• Laryngectomy
• Management of cutaneous malignancies and facial plastic reconstruction
• Microvascular reconstructive surgery
• Neck dissections
• Parotid surgery
• Peg tube placement and management
• Skull base surgery
• Thyroid/parathyroid surgery
• Tracheostomy surgery
• Transoral laser microsurgery and transoral robotic surgery

The fellow will participate in the postoperative care and management of all surgical patients.

Neurotology/Audiology, where he/she will gain experience in the following:

• Craniectomy
• Cochlear implant (OCEA/OSIA/BAHA/bone bridge/Envoy Esteem)
• EAC reconstruction
• Mastoidectomy/tympanoplasty
• Stapedectomy

The fellow will participate in the postoperative care and management of all surgical patients.

General ENT, where he/she will gain experience in the following:

• Aspiration/incision and drainage of neck abscess
• Eustachian tube dilation and plugging
• Functional endoscopic sinus surgery
• Incision and drainage of peritonsillar abscess
• Septoplasty
• Tonsillectomy
• Tympanostomy tube

Medical oncology, where he/she will gain experience in management of immunotherapy and chemotherapy, as well as the mitigation/treatment of side effects

Plastic surgery (with special focus on facial plastics)

Radiation oncology, where he/she will gain experience in primary and adjuvant radiation to head and neck, RAI and gamma knife radiation. He/she will learn how to manage side effects of radiation.

Speech and swallow therapy

The didactic component of the fellowship complements hands-on clinical training and provides fellows with a structured framework to deepen their knowledge in otolaryngology and head and neck surgery. Weekly sessions are held on Mondays and are aligned with core rotation blocks. Fellows also attend lectures alongside our Head and Neck Surgical Fellows, promoting interdisciplinary learning and collaborative discussion.

Topics include, but are not limited to:

Otology & Neurotology

• Understand diagnostic evaluation of ear complaints using otoscopy, audiometry, and imaging
• Recognize and manage acute/chronic otitis media and externa
• Identify surgical indications for tympanoplasty, mastoidectomy, and hearing implants
• Review management of vestibular disorders (BPPV, Meniere’s disease, vestibular neuritis)
• Discuss approaches to facial nerve paralysis (Bell’s palsy, iatrogenic, traumatic, tumor-related)
• Evaluate candidacy for and complications of cochlear implantation and osseointegrated devices

Cutaneous Malignancies of the Head & Neck

• Perform skin cancer screening and recognize high-risk features
• Understand principles of surgical excision, margins, and reconstruction techniques
• Review the multidisciplinary approach to melanoma, Merkel cell, and aggressive SCC
• Interpret pathology and staging for cutaneous malignancies

Nasal & Sinus Disorders

• Review anatomy and physiology of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses
• Manage acute and chronic sinusitis, nasal polyposis, and epistaxis
• Identify imaging findings associated with sinonasal tumors
• Understand indications for endoscopic sinus surgery and septoplasty

Oral Cavity & Pharyngeal Disorders

• Conduct comprehensive oral cavity and oropharyngeal exams
• Differentiate between benign and malignant lesions
• Evaluate for obstructive sleep apnea and interpret sleep studies
• Discuss principles of dental infections, peritonsillar abscess, and deep neck space infections

Laryngeal Pathology

• Assess patients with dysphonia, stridor, and aspiration
• Understand laryngeal cancer workup and staging
• Learn medical and surgical management of voice and airway disorders

Neck and Endocrine Pathology

• Evaluate thyroid and parathyroid nodules using ultrasound and fine-needle aspiration
• Understand management pathways for thyroid cancer and hyperparathyroidism
• Recognize and manage cervical lymphadenopathy and metastatic disease
• Assist in postoperative care following neck dissection and endocrine surgery

Additional Core Competencies Integrated into Didactics:

• Multidisciplinary care coordination (tumor board participation)
• Evidence-based practice through journal clubs and case reviews
• Radiologic interpretation of CT, MRI, and PET imaging relevant to ear, nose and throat and head and neck pathology
• Oncologic principles, including radiation and chemotherapy basics
• Postoperative management (wound care, tracheostomy and PEG tube care)
• Surgical anatomy and instrumentation through simulation and intraoperative observation

The fellow will gain experience in performing minor procedures, including:

• Biopsies
  • Shave/punch for cutaneous malignancies
  • Oropharyngeal
  • Oral Cavity
• Cerumen removal and external auditory canal debridement
• Emergency airway management
• Fine Needle/core needle aspiration
• Flexible laryngoscopy and tracheoscopy
• Full thickness and split thickness skin graft harvest
• Mastoid debridement
• Microscopic otoscopy
• Myringotomy/pressure-equalizing tube placement
• Nasal packing and control of epistaxis
• Rigid nasal endoscopy
• Suturing and suture removal
• Tracheotomy tube placement, exchange, and maintenance
• Transesophageal puncture tube placement and maintenance
• Wide local excision
• Wound care and management

• End-of-year research project
• Inpatient teaching rounds with attending physician and physician assistant staff
• Midyear written examination
• Neurotology, head and neck, and thyroid/parathyroid journal club
• One head and neck or neurotology conference per year
• Weekly case study review with attending physician
• Weekly multidisciplinary head and neck tumor board
• Weekly otolaryngology core curriculum
• Weekly otolaryngology topic review

• Any graduated AG-ACNP/ACNP or PA-C
• Current AG-ACNP/ACNP or PA students currently enrolled in an accredited program

• National board certification
• Florida licensing

• Curriculum vitae/resume
• One-page statement of interest
• Transcripts from graduate education program — if you are a current student, send transcripts reflective of status within the program. Minimum GPA of 3.5 required.
• Copy of BLS and ACLS certifications
• Three letters of recommendation addressing clinical experience, clinical knowledge, critical thinking and professionalism — specifications for letters of recommendation found on application
• Completion of application found here

Fellows are selected based on demonstrated academic and clinical achievement, commitment to practice in a critical care environment, motivation, communication skills, overall maturity and growth mindset.

Upon acceptance of the online application, applicants must be available for an interview with program staff at AdventHealth. All travel-related costs are at the expense of the candidate.

Successful applications will meet all hiring requirements of the AdventHealth Medical Group Human Resources Department.

The AdventHealth APP Fellowship values diversity across racial, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds, as well as age, gender identity, disability and years of experience in the health care field.