Overview
The pediatric otolaryngology fellowship program at Arkansas Children’s Hospital (ACH) is part of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Department of Otolaryngology. This is a broad based, well rounded, and diversified training experience aimed to teach all aspects of medical and surgical Pediatric Otolaryngology. The first year is accredited by the ACGME and is geared towards becoming fully competent in the field of Pediatric Otolaryngology according to the ACGME guidelines. The second year, the fellow becomes an Instructor in the department. This provides the fellow with the opportunity to be junior faculty with associated 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, otology and open airway reconstruction with additional training and support to help the fellow transition into a successful academic career. Additional research time as well as national and international conference attendance is thus supported during the second year.
A large number of pediatric endoscopy cases are performed at ACH for both acute and chronic airway problems. Additional experience with both laser and open repair of laryngotracheal anomalies will be obtained. Endoscopic sinus surgery for chronic sinusitis in infants and children is performed on a regular basis. Head and neck masses, including lymphatic malformations, branchial cleft cysts, thyroglossal duct cysts, and other benign and malignant tumors, are frequently managed. The wide range of otologic procedures are also performed at ACH allowing the fellow to develop an expertise in cochlear implantation, endoscopic and microscopic cartilage tympanoplasty, endoscopic and microscopic ossicular chain reconstruction, atresiaplasty, and BAHAs among other things.
Some of the special and unique features of this fellowship include the large volume of rare and complex disorders as well as a truly comprehensive pediatric experience. As the hospital is one of two facilities in the only pediatric healthcare system in the state of Arkansas with additional regional draw, there is an unparalleled volume of patients and exposure to specialized areas such as: cleft lip and palate, velopharyngeal insufficiency, craniofacial anomalies, and vascular malformations. This allows each graduating fellow the ability to gain considerable hands-on experience obtained under international leaders in the field in these unique areas, which are all managed by the Otolaryngology department at ACH.
Over 100 primary and secondary cleft operations are performed annually at ACH with surgeons who have extensive experience and various training backgrounds. This allows for a rich educational environment. Close collaboration with plastic surgery, oral surgery and the dental specialties in addition to speech pathology, audiology, nutrition and genetics provides extensive learning and development for each fellow. Humanitarian outreach (“medical missions”) also takes place by various members of the cleft team on an annual basis with potential opportunities for fellow involvement depending on their interest and motivations.
Due to some unique training and considerable experience here at ACH, the management of vascular malformations has been greatly influenced worldwide. With a large volume of patients seen every week with various “birth marks,” the broad range of medical, surgical and laser treatment of vascular malformations is experienced by each fellow. Additionally, a very active and growing research lab dedicated to vascular malformations provides ample opportunities for bench-top and clinical research as well.
Fellows additionally gain experience in rhinoplasty, microtia repair, and facial laceration and trauma-related fracture repair in addition to other aspects of aesthetic facial plastic surgery.
Application Procedure
Please submit applications via SFMatch at www.smatch.org. This will provide information about application deadline and interview days. All applications are reviewed by the Program Director. Invitations to interview will be sent via e-mail from the program coordinator. Due to ACGME policies, only applicants from residency programs accredited by the ACGME can be considered for the accredited fellow position. Local GME requirements also require J1 Visa and ability to be considered for an Arkansas State License, which includes the successful completion of any step of the USMLE or COMLEX.
Contact Information
Fellowship Director: Larry Hartzell, M.D., FAAP
Fellowship Coordinator: Toni Sanders
Arkansas Children’s Hospital
1 Children’s Way, Slot 836
Little Rock, AR 72202
Email Toni Sanders at sanderstonij@uams.edu
Phone: 501-686-5017