Comprehensive Training
Pediatric Otolaryngology at Arkansas Children’s Hospital provides a comprehensive and unique variety of clinical and surgical cases for training fellows. We pride ourselves in providing complete training in every aspect of pediatric otolaryngology by offering a full breadth of otology, airway, craniofacial, vascular, sinus, and head and neck surgeries. Our nationally and internationally recognized experts on faculty include two complex airway surgeons, two leaders in cleft lip and palate surgery, four complex otologists, one facial plastics surgeon, and three vascular anomaly specialists. Our program’s close working relationships and collaboration with maxillofacial surgery and plastic/reconstructive surgery also add unique and additional training in complex craniomaxillofacial operations. With a national and international patient draw, fellows will receive extensive experience in endoscopic and open airway procedures, cochlear implantation, chronic ear, microtia and atresiaplasty, cleft lip and palate procedures, rhinoplasty, pediatric facial plastics, surgical and laser therapy of vascular anomalies, and more. Since all our faculty also practice general pediatric otolaryngology, fellows will gain broad experience in various endoscopic and open ear cases, functional endoscopic sinus surgery, and congenital and acquired head and neck lesions (including thyroid and oncology). Over 5,000 cases are performed annually.
Multidisciplinary Clinical and Research Programs
Training for fellows includes experience in six multidisciplinary programs developed and managed by the pediatric otolaryngology department. These teams include Aerodigestive, Hearing loss, Cleft lip and Palate, Craniofacial, Vascular Anomalies, and Thyroid. All are Centers of Excellence. Herein, we aim to provide fellows with an understanding of how to manage complex patients in these areas and the skill to develop and manage their programs when they graduate and begin their careers.
Our fellow also gains extensive opportunity to learn how to research their preferred areas of interest. With two functional basic science laboratories, two research coordinators, an executive research team, a very active research faculty, protected time, and a large array of interested residents and students, fellows will have the financial and personnel support to develop and create new projects or reports on existing research projects. Statisticians and technician support are also available to help fellows with what they need to produce a high volume of peer-reviewed publications and scientific presentations. Our fellows have received numerous research awards locally, nationally and internationally including at ASPO, AAOHNS Academy, and other programs in the past.
Why Arkansas?
Arkansas is known as the “Natural State” and is a wonderful place to live and visit. Many of our faculty relocate from other states because of Arkansas’ beauty, convenience, and lifestyle. Numerous options for outdoor enthusiasts exist no matter the time of year, including world-class fishing, climbing, hiking, boating, waterskiing, canoeing, and swimming. Those who love being outdoors may also enjoy well-groomed campsites, hiking paths to waterfalls and caves, diamond mines, and so much more. With the southern charm and low cost of living, Little Rock is truly a hidden treasure that has caused many of our faculty to want to stay here and call this place home. It’s truly a big city with a small city feel. Additionally, our department has always had a family feel to it and prioritizes a healthy and satisfying family life outside of the work expectations.
Arkansas Children’s Hospital and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
As the only pediatric hospital in the state with a regional draw, there is an unparalleled volume of patients and exposure to extra specialized areas such as airway stenosis, congenital head and neck lesions, cleft lip and palate, craniofacial anomalies, and vascular malformations. Over 30 open airways, innumerable ear and vascular cases, and 100+ primary and secondary cleft operations are performed annually at ACH by surgeons with extensive experience and various training backgrounds which allows for a rich educational environment. This gives each graduating fellow the ability to gain considerable hands-on experience obtained under international leaders in the field in these unique areas that are all managed by the Otolaryngology department at ACH.
ACGME Training Program
Our program is accredited by the ACGME and as such abides by the strict guidelines provided. The first year of fellowship is accredited by the ACGME and is geared towards becoming fully competent in the field of Pediatric Otolaryngology according to the ACGME milestones and guidelines. The fellow will be considered a PGY6 as expected. The focus is to become eligible for Board Certification and competency. The fellow will also gain considerable experience in the extra-specialized areas (such as cleft and vascular) although this will not be the predominant focus.
There is an option for a second year of fellowship with our program. During this year, the fellow becomes an Instructor in the Department which provides the fellow with the opportunity to be junior faculty with additional benefits (financial as well as clinic and OR privileges). The second year allows for further development in the advanced and extra-specialized areas of cleft lip and palate, vascular anomalies, complex otology and open airway reconstruction. The aim for this elective year is to prepare the fellow and to develop leadership skills for an academic career. Additional research time as well as national and international conference attendance is supported during the second year in addition to some opportunities and support during the first year.
Application
Please submit applications via SFMatch at www.sfmatch.org. This will provide information about the application deadline and interview days. All applications are reviewed by the Program Directors. Invitations to interview will be sent via email from the Program Coordinator. Due to ACGME policies, only applicants from residency programs accredited by the ACGME (including ACGME-I) can be considered for the accredited fellow position. Local GME requirements also require J1 Visa and the ability to be considered for an Arkansas State License, which includes the successful completion of any step of the USMLE or COMLEX exams.
Please explore our website for additional information and highlights.
Contact Information
Fellowship Director: Larry Hartzell, M.D., FAAP
Assistant Fellowship Director: Andre Wineland, M.D., MSCI, FAAP
Fellowship Coordinator: Richard L. Harper
Arkansas Children’s Hospital
1 Children’s Way, Slot 836
Little Rock, AR 72202
Email: RLHarper@uams.edu
Phone: 501-686-5017