This ACGME-accredited 2-year clinical fellowship is a neurotology lateral skull base surgery program designed to advance education beyond that of an otolaryngology residency in the diagnosis and management of disorders of the temporal bone, lateral skull base, and related anatomical structures. Fellows will receive comprehensive training in extradural skull base approaches and postoperative care of lateral skill base surgery patients. The program will also permit exposure to new research opportunities and global humanitarian efforts.
Every year between thirty and forty physicians apply to the Fellowship Program. Two applicants are selected each year and spend two years studying with the otologists of the House Clinic. This program is accredited by the ACGME and allows the individual who finishes the fellowship to apply for board certification in neurotology.
Our Team
Qualifications:
In order to qualify, applicants need to meet certain criteria:
- Completion of residency in Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery
- Graduate in the top third of class
- Past participation in hearing disorders related research
- Current and valid California medical license*
*The two-year program requires current and valid California medical license, post match after acceptance to the Clinical Fellowship Program. Fellows actively participate in the care of neurotology patients and assist the House Clinic physicians in the management of complex neurotologic disorders.
Education:
Each neurotology fellow will prepare documentation of surgical experience as both assistant surgeon, and surgeon, in middle cranial fossa, posterior cranial fossa, and lateral skull base surgical procedures for the treatment of disorders of the auditory and vestibular system; facial nerve disorders; and congenital inflammatory, neoplastic idiopathic, and traumatic disorders of the extradural petrous bone and apex, occipital bone, sphenoid bone, and related structures.
The program provides structured education regarding the diagnosis and medical, surgical, and rehabilitative management of congenital, traumatic, inflammatory, degenerative, neoplastic, and idiopathic diseases of the temporal bone.
Audiometric testing including auditory brainstem responses and otoacoustic emissions, vestibular testing, facial nerve testing, electrophysiologic monitoring strategies and neuroradiologic procedures used to evaluate the temporal bone, skull base, and related structures are required experiences.
Conference and Lecture Schedule:
The program provides the fellows opportunity to participate in numerous research conferences and didactic educational programs. The main didactic instruction is given through Journal Club participation and Friday morning conferences.
All fellows are required to attend the following conferences and didactic lectures:
- Monday 7:30 AM Journal Club
- Tuesday 6:45 AM Neuroradiology Conference
- Friday 7:00 AM Grand Rounds
- Monthly NF2 Conference
- Quarterly Facial Nerve Conference
Application:
Download the program application.
Please complete this supplemental application in addition to your SFMatch.org application. The completed form and additional materials may be sent to housefellowship@hifla.org.
Current Fellows & Alumni
- Michael Avillion, MD
- Robin Bigelow, MD
- Susan Ellsperman, MD